Fall 2006

Instructor:
E. Roland Menzel
Director, Center for Forensic Studies (www.phys.ttu.edu/cfs)
PW Horn Professor of Physics, Engineering Physics and Chemistry

Sc Bldg, Rm 120. Tel: 742 3760, e-mail: Roland.Menzel@TTU.edu

Office hours: MWF 1-2 pm or by appointment.

Course objective:
The above course aims to bring an appreciation of forensic science to a broad spectrum of students; thus it carries no prerequisites. However, some familiarity with elementary biology, chemistry and physics is presumed. The course focuses on criminalistics, the examination of physical evidence and may include guest lectures (to be announced) by experts who will speak on their specialties, keeping a general audience in mind. Forensic anthropology and entomology, as well as medical and legal matters associated with forensic science are also covered. The course is required for the forensic sciences minor.

Required text:
R. Saferstein, Criminalistics, An Introduction to Forensic Science, latest ed., Prentice Hall plus some additional readings.

Grading:
The course grade is based on 7 quizzes (85-100% = A, 84-70% = B, 69-55% = C, 54-40% = D). Quiz questions are drawn from the course text as well as lecture material. Only the top 5 quizzes will be counted. There will be no exams, make-up quizzes, or extra credit. Each quiz is announced in advance (about one to two weeks before the quiz date) and the lecture before the quiz is dedicated to a review of the topic that emphasizes what will be asked on the quiz.

Learning outcome:
Students are expected to acquire a qualitative familiarity with the essentials of the scientific principles and and methodologies of topics 1-11 below.

Learning outcome assessment:
The quizzes serve to assess learning outcome. If a weakness in the grasp of an essential course element is found, a corrective review of the topic takes place.

Lecture schedule:
1. Methods of individual identification
          fingerprints
          DNA
2. Spectroscopic properties of atoms and molecules
          experiment
          theory
3. Analytical techniques for physical evidence examination
          chromatography
          mass spectrometry
          electron microscopy (with x-ray analysis)
          neutron activation
          NMR
4. Crime scene examination
          bombings
          terrorism
5. Examination of fibers, documents, trace explosives, nerve agents
6. Firearms, tool marks, hair
7. Glass and soil
8. Voice, polygraph
9. Anthropology
10. Entomology
11. Serology
12. Toxicology
13. Pathology (medical examination)
14. Forensic nursing
15. Legal and behavioral issues