Biomedical Forensic Sciences

• GMS FS 700: Criminal Law and Ethics
  An overview of legal, ethical and practical issues of forensic science, the impact of forensic science on the justice system and a discussion of traditional and emerging admissibility standards involving forensic science evidence is given. The curriculum will include a description of the roles law enforcement, attorneys and forensic scientists, professional standards for the practice of criminalistics and ethical issues in various forensic disciplines. 2 cr
• GMS FS 701: Crime Scene Investigation
  This combination hands-on and lecture-based course will provide students with an in-depth review of crime scene assessment and management. Methods of identifying, documenting, collecting and packaging physical evidence from various types of crime scenes are discussed. A hands-on component will be employed in areas such as crime scene sketching, photography and pattern evidence collection. 3 cr
• GMS FS 702: Forensic Biology
  This lecture-based course will introduce students to the biological aspects of forensic evidence including biochemical and physical attributes of blood and other body fluids. Common methods of body fluid identification utilized in forensic laboratories will be discussed at length. Other topics include guidelines for thorough evidence examination, screening, documentation and report writing. 3 cr
• GMS FS 703: Forensic Chemistry
  This lecture-based course will provide an introduction to forensic chemistry and will expose students to chemical principles and instrumental techniques associated with the field, with particular emphasis on the analysis of controlled substances, fire debris and explosives, and on forensic toxicology. A review of organic and analytical chemistry as they relate to forensic investigations will be discussed. 3 cr
• GMS FS 704: Forensic Biology Laboratory
  This laboratory-based course will give students an opportunity to apply the principles of forensic biology to actual samples. Techniques utilized will include chemical screening assays, detection with ALS, methods used to confirm the presence of specific biological materials, antibody interactions, and microscopic identification of cellular material. 2 cr
• GMS FS 705: Forensci Anthro
  
• GMS FS 706: Pattern Evidence Analysis
  This combination lecture and lab-based course will provide students with overview of various types of pattern evidence with an emphasis on the systematic approaches to pattern evidence comparison and analysis. The history of fingerprint identification, fingerprint processing and comparison techniques, footwear and tire impression analysis, toolmark analysis, and the importance of photography in pattern evidence documentation will be discussed. Development of pattern evidence using mechanical, chemical and visual techniques is incorporated. 2 cr
• GMS FS 707: Trace Evidence Analysis
  This lecture-based course will provide an overview of the principles and concepts on which trace evidence analysis is based. Proper collection, preservation, identification and comparison of items such as glass, paint, hairs and fibers, using standard methods and instruments used in crime scene laboratories will be discussed. 3 cr
• GMS FS 708: Forensic Instrumental Analysis Laboratory
  This laboratory course will provide an introduction to a variety of instrumentation and equipment utilized in the forensic laboratory and detail the methods used by forensic scientists for chemical analysis with a focus on forensic toxicology and drug chemistry. 2 cr
• GMS FS 709: Medicolegal Death Investigation
  This lecture-based course will provide the student with an overview of the basic principles of medicolegal death investigations. Specific lectures will cover the procedures and skills necessary to conduct a thorough medicolegal investigation of death, knowledge of various types of traumatic injuries, the knowledge necessary to understand the characteristics that differentiate the manners of death and the skills to conduct an appropriately directed investigation. The curriculum will prepare the students to take the national certification examinations offered by the American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators. A general knowledge of anatomy is recommended prior to enrollment. 2 cr
• GMS FS 710: Death Invest 2
  
• GMS FS 711: Forensic Medicine: Anatomy & Osteology
  Prereq: consent of instructor. This course will provide an overview of basic human anatomy and osteology with an emphasis on understanding the processes underlying traumatic and unexpected deaths encountered in forensic pathology. 2 cr, 1st sem.
• GMS FS 712: Forensic Pathology and Medicolegal Death Investigation
  This lecture-based course will provide the student with an overview of the role of the medical examiner and the basic principles of medicolegal death investigations. Specific lectures will cover autopsy procedures in the investigation of gunshot wounds, sharp and blunt trauma, drowning, asphyxia, child deaths, motor vehicle accidents and time since death determination. A general knowledge of anatomy is recommended prior to enrollment. 3 cr.
• GMS FS 713: Bloodstain Pattern Analysis
  This lecture and lab-based course will provide students with fundamental knowledge in the area of bloodstain pattern analysis including the scientific principles and practical applications of bloodstain pattern analysis for forensic casework. The procedures and methods for recognition, documentation and evaluation of bloodstain patterns will be covered. Additionally, the principles of physics, blood dynamics and the geometric significance of bloodstain patterns will be explored. 2 cr
• GMS FS 714: Human Ident.
  
• GMS FS 716: Homicide Investigation
  This lecture-based course will provide the student with an overview of the art and science of homicide investigation, with an emphasis on the "art". An actual murder investigation and subsequent trial will be used to highlight the investigatory and legal issues an investigator may face, as well as the social and political context in which homicide investigations take place. 2 cr
• GMS FS 718: Special Topics: Techniques in Firearms Investigation
  Prereq: consent of instructor. A primarily lecture-based survey course discussing various aspects of firearms-related investigations including general firearm construction/operation, toolmark comparison, shooting reconstruction, trajectory analysis, chemical analysis of gunshot residues and serial number restoration. Some hands-on techniques will be performed in the laboratory. 2 cr, 2nd sem.
• GMS FS 720: Molecular Biology of Forensic DNA Analysis
  This lecture-based course will discuss theory and application of human genetics and molecular biology to testing of biological evidence. DNA structure and organization of the human genome and types of genetic variation occurring in humans will be covered. Other topics include the history of DNA analysis and current PCR based methods for testing of autosomal STR loci, Y chromosome STR loci and mitochondrial DNA. Lecture material will also cover commonly encountered artifacts in PCR testing, DNA profile interpretation and statistical analysis of results. 3 cr
• GMS FS 721: Forensic DNA Analysis Laboratory
  This lab-based course will provide theory and practice in procedures used in forensic DNA analysis. Sessions will include use of several DNA extraction techniques, clean technique for contamination prevention, real time PCR for human DNA quantitation, PCR amplification of STR loci and DNA profile analysis. 2 cr
• GMS FS 730: Advanced Topics in Forensic DNA Analysis
  This course will build on topics presented in the Forensic DNA Analysis course and laboratory. Students will gain experience interpreting STR data from compromised and mixed source samples, and will understand the theory behind DNA profile frequency calculations. An in-depth review of techniques and methodology used in a forensic DNA laboratory and the roles that accreditation, validation and quality assurance play will be discussed. 2 cr

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