Forensic and Criminal Sciences Course

Lesson 1 • Ethics and Professional Standards

This section defines ethical obligations, impartiality requirements, and the professional codes that govern forensic practitioners. It establishes the integrity baseline for all subsequent work.

Lesson 2 • History and Evolution of Forensic Science

This section traces forensic science from early identification methods to modern multidisciplinary practice. It provides historical context that frames all subsequent technical content.

Lesson 3 • Scientific Method in Forensic Contexts

This section applies hypothesis-driven reasoning to crime-related questions. It grounds students in objective analysis before introducing specific forensic techniques.

Lesson 1 • First Response and Scene Security

This section covers immediate actions upon arrival, perimeter establishment, and scene preservation. It sets the foundation for all subsequent evidence collection activities.

Lesson 2 • Scene Documentation Techniques

This section teaches photography, videography, sketching, and note-taking protocols for accurate scene capture. Documentation supports reconstruction and courtroom presentation.

Lesson 3 • Scene Reconstruction Basics

This section introduces logical reconstruction of events using physical evidence patterns. It bridges scene documentation skills with the analytical interpretation covered in later chapters.

Lesson 4 • Evidence Collection and Packaging

This section details proper collection tools, packaging materials, and labelling standards for each evidence type. It prevents degradation and maintains chain of custody from scene to lab.

Lesson 1 • PCR Amplification and STR Profiling

This section details PCR amplification, capillary electrophoresis, and STR profile generation. Students can produce and interpret electropherograms from reference and evidentiary samples.

Lesson 2 • DNA Database Searching and Statistics

This section covers national DNA database architecture, search protocols, and statistical interpretation of matches. It equips students to present probabilistic findings in court.

Lesson 3 • DNA Extraction and Quantification

This section teaches laboratory protocols for extracting and quantifying DNA from diverse substrates. Proper technique at this stage determines downstream profile quality.

Lesson 4 • Biological Evidence Types and Identification

This section covers presumptive and confirmatory tests for blood, saliva, semen, and other biological fluids. It establishes the identification skills that are a prerequisite to DNA extraction.

Lesson 1 • Principles of Analytical Chemistry in Forensics

This section reviews chromatography, spectroscopy, and mass spectrometry fundamentals as applied to forensic samples. It establishes the instrumental foundation for all subsequent chemical analysis.

Lesson 2 • Pharmacokinetics and Toxicokinetics

This section explains absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion as they affect forensic interpretation. Students can assess whether detected concentrations are consistent with impairment or cause of death.

Lesson 3 • Forensic Toxicology Specimen Collection

This section covers antemortem and postmortem specimen types, collection timing, and preservation requirements. Proper collection prevents matrix interference and ensures valid results.

Lesson 4 • Controlled Substance Identification

This section applies colour tests, immunoassay, GC-MS, and LC-MS to identify and quantify illicit drugs. It connects analytical results to legal classification frameworks.

Lesson 1 • Autopsy Procedures and Documentation

This section details external examination, internal dissection, organ weighing, and histological sampling protocols. Systematic autopsy documentation produces legally defensible findings.

Lesson 2 • Medicolegal Death Investigation Systems

This section describes coroner and medical examiner systems, jurisdiction triggers, and scene-to-autopsy workflow. It contextualises pathology within the broader death investigation process.

Lesson 3 • Manner of Death Determination

This section applies pathological, toxicological, and circumstantial evidence to classify deaths as natural, accidental, homicidal, suicidal, or undetermined. It integrates all autopsy findings into a final medicolegal opinion.

Lesson 4 • Postmortem Changes and Time of Death

This section covers livor mortis, rigor mortis, decomposition stages, and entomological indicators for estimating the postmortem interval. Accurate time-of-death estimation supports investigative timelines.

Lesson 1 • Fingerprint Recording and Lifting

This section teaches photography, lifting tape, gel lifters, and casting methods for capturing developed prints. Accurate recording preserves detail for subsequent comparison.

Lesson 2 • Friction Ridge Skin Biology and Classification

This section explains the biological basis of friction ridge skin, ridge detail levels, and classification systems. It provides the anatomical and taxonomic foundation for all comparison work.

Lesson 3 • ACE-V Comparison Methodology

This section applies the Analysis, Comparison, Evaluation, and Verification framework to fingerprint examination. It ensures scientifically defensible and peer-reviewed conclusions.

Lesson 4 • Footwear, Tire, and Tool Mark Evidence

This section extends impression evidence skills to footwear, tyre tracks, and tool marks using casting and comparison methods. It broadens the student's impression evidence competency beyond fingerprints.

Lesson 1 • Network and Cybercrime Investigation

This section addresses network traffic capture, log analysis, intrusion indicators, and dark web investigation techniques. It extends digital forensics from devices to networked environments.

Lesson 2 • Forensic Acquisition and Imaging

This section covers write-blocking, bit-stream imaging, hashing, and cloud data acquisition protocols. Forensically sound acquisition is the prerequisite for all subsequent analysis.

Lesson 3 • File System and Artifact Analysis

This section teaches recovery of deleted files, metadata extraction, registry analysis, and browser artifact examination. Artifact analysis reconstructs user activity and timelines.

Lesson 4 • Mobile Device and IoT Forensics

This section covers extraction methods, app data analysis, GPS artifacts, and IoT device evidence for smartphones and connected devices. It reflects the growing evidentiary importance of mobile and smart technology.

Lesson 1 • Direct Examination and Cross-Examination

This section develops skills for presenting findings clearly on direct examination and maintaining credibility under cross-examination. Simulated testimony exercises reinforce practical courtroom competency.

Lesson 2 • Expert Witness Qualification and Role

This section explains qualification standards, scope of expert opinion, and the distinction between fact and expert witnesses. It prepares students for the procedural aspects of courtroom participation.

Lesson 3 • Integrating Multidisciplinary Evidence

This section synthesises biological, chemical, digital, and physical evidence streams into unified case narratives. It builds the analytical integration skill that distinguishes advanced forensic practitioners.

Lesson 4 • Forensic Report Writing

This section teaches structured report formats, objective language, and disclosure requirements for forensic documentation. Clear reports are the primary vehicle for communicating findings to legal stakeholders.