Minor In Forensic Science - Required Courses
• FRSC C100 Introduction to Forensic Science: The course exposes students to the forensic methods commonly employed in the examination of physical evidence by a forensic scientist used for identification or comparison in civil or criminal crime scene investigation and legal proceedings. The process of identification of a physical or chemical substance requires the use of testing procedures that give characteristic results for specific standard materials. By the use of forensic techniques, organic and inorganic substances are identified by forensic scientists in the investigation process. By the use of the principles and techniques of the physical and biological sciences, analysis of different types of evidence recovered during crime investigation can aid in the apprehension, arrest, and conviction of criminals. The various techniques and procedures used in forensic science investigation must satisfy the admissibility standards established by state and federal courts. While this survey course is not designed to train individuals in the highly technical field of forensic science research, requiring extensive education in biology, chemistry, and physics, this course does serve to familiarize those individuals majoring in criminal justice or related fields with the methods and techniques currently employed by forensic scientists so that students have a working knowledge and understanding of the technical world of forensic science.
• FRSC C200 Criminalistics I - Crime Scene: This course is an introduction to the techniques of crime scene investigation. The value of evidence; preservation of the crime scene; crime scene searching; photography; and the sketching of crime scenes. Also covered are techniques for the recognition, collection, and preservation of specific types of evidence. Photographs from a class Crime Scene Exercise
• FRSC C201 Criminalistics II - Crime Lab: This course is designed to introduce the student to some of the advanced concepts of forensic science and medical-legal investigations. Topics include forensic pathology, odontology, anthropology, gunshot injuries, rape, blunt and sharp force trauma, and child and spousal abuse. Photographs from a Blood Splatter Exercise (fake forensics "blood" is used in the classes)
• FRSC C301 Criminalistics III – Controlled Substances: Forensic toxicology assesses the potential dangerous effects of various drugs on human behavior. It is known that the ability of a drug to induce dependence after repeated use is submerged in a complex array of physiological and social factors. Dependence on drugs exists in numerous patterns and in all degrees of intensity, depending on the nature of the drug, the route of administration, the dose, the frequency of administration, and the individual's rate of metabolism. In addition, many non-drug factors play an equally crucial role in determining the behavioral patterns associated with drug use. The personal characteristics of the user, his or her expectations about the drug experience, society's attitudes and possible responses, as well as the setting in which the drug is used, are all major determinants of drug dependence. The course covers many topics including drug identification, drug dependency, drug effects, and forensic toxicology. Photographs from a Controlled Substances Exercise
• FRSC-CELC Forensic Science Elective: Any forensic science (FRSC) course not already designated as a required forensic science course. Examples of electives include, but are not limited to Forensic Psychology, Forensic Accounting, and/or Computer Forensics.
• FRSC-CELC Forensic Science Elective: Any forensic science (FRSC) course not already designated as a required forensic science course. Examples of electives include, but are not limited to Forensic Psychology, Forensic Accounting, and/or Computer Forensics.
• FRSC C498 Research in Forensics: The student will engage in supervised research in forensic science under the guidance of a Loyola faculty member. Students must present a formal research proposal and upon approval complete the research within one semester. Students are encouraged to select research topics according to their own interests and talents. Innovative research projects are encouraged (e.g., bioterrorism as it relates to forensic science and public health; statistical issues in forensic science; the application of profiling theory and techniques to the analysis and reconstruction of forensic evidence as it relates to an offender's crime scenes, victims and behaviors, etc.). This will usually be the last course completed in the Forensic Science minor.