DEVELOPMENT OF A COMMUNITY COLLEGE LEVEL FORENSIC SCIENCE COURSE

Abstract

The main goal of this project is to develop new forensic science curriculum for Frederick Community College. A Forensic Science Techniques class will be designed with both lecture and laboratory components. This course will emphasize concepts and techniques used for forensic processing and analysis at crime and death scenes. The main subjects that will be included are as follows: Introductory Information and Scene Security, Evidence Collection, Crime Scene Photography, Documentation and Sketching, Fingerprint Lifting, Pathology and Death Assessment, Presumptive Testing, Crime Laboratory Methods, Expert Testimony, and Footwear Impressions. This curriculum will be designed as a four credit lecture/laboratory course. A series of scientifically-based exercises will be designed and tested for use in a classroom setting. Each procedure will be documented, and photographs will be used to enhance and clarify the protocols. In addition, a custom textbook, lecture PowerPoint presentations, and a sample syllabus will be created, providing a standard set of teaching objectives and learning outcomes, which will allow for efficient and productive instruction of this material. This curriculum will be targeted towards criminal justice students and law enforcement professionals in order to provide technical knowledge and skills necessary for crime scene investigation.