Crime Scene Investigation and Forensic Science in the United States Course

Lesson 1 • Ethics and Professional Standards

Defines ethical obligations of forensic professionals, including impartiality and accurate reporting. Connects professional conduct to admissibility and credibility of evidence.

Lesson 2 • The Criminal Justice System Overview

Maps the roles of law enforcement, prosecutors, defence, and courts. Clarifies where forensic evidence enters and influences each stage of the justice process.

Lesson 3 • History and Evolution of Forensics

Traces forensic science from early identification methods to modern DNA analysis. Provides context for understanding why current standards and protocols exist.

Lesson 4 • Scientific Method in Forensic Practice

Applies hypothesis-driven reasoning to evidence analysis. Grounds learners in objective methodology before they encounter specific forensic disciplines.

Lesson 1 • Scene Security and Access Control

Covers log procedures, barrier placement, and personnel management at active scenes. Directly supports chain of custody by limiting unauthorised access.

Lesson 2 • Jurisdictional Coordination and Command

Explains multi-agency roles and incident command structures at complex scenes. Prepares learners to operate effectively within hierarchical response frameworks.

Lesson 3 • Scene Assessment and Walk-Through

Teaches systematic initial observation before evidence collection begins. Develops the investigator's ability to form a preliminary theory and prioritise collection.

Lesson 4 • Health and Safety at Crime Scenes

Addresses biological, chemical, and physical hazards investigators encounter. Ensures learners can protect themselves and avoid cross-contamination of evidence.

Lesson 1 • Videography and Digital Documentation

Introduces video walkthroughs and digital capture tools as supplements to still photography. Connects moving-image documentation to courtroom presentation needs.

Lesson 2 • Forensic Photography Principles

Covers camera settings, lighting, and compositional rules specific to evidence photography. Accurate images are the foundation of all subsequent documentation.

Lesson 3 • Three-Dimensional Scene Reconstruction Tools

Introduces laser scanning and photogrammetry for precise spatial documentation. These technologies extend traditional methods for complex or large-scale scenes.

Lesson 4 • Field Notes and Written Reports

Establishes standards for contemporaneous note-taking and formal report writing. Thorough written records corroborate physical evidence and support testimony.

Lesson 1 • Evidence Recognition and Prioritisation

Develops the ability to identify relevant physical evidence amid scene clutter. Prioritisation ensures the most fragile or time-sensitive items are collected first.

Lesson 2 • Trace and Impression Evidence

Focuses on fibres, glass, soil, footwear, and tool mark evidence collection. These small or fragile items require specialised techniques to capture intact.

Lesson 3 • Chain of Custody Documentation

Establishes rigorous labelling, sealing, and transfer documentation for every item. An unbroken chain of custody is essential for evidence to be admitted at trial.

Lesson 4 • Collection Tools and Techniques

Covers instrument selection and handling procedures for varied evidence types. Proper technique prevents contamination and preserves evidentiary value.

Lesson 1 • Serology and Presumptive Testing

Covers chemical tests used to identify the presence of blood, semen, and saliva. Presumptive results guide confirmatory testing and resource allocation.

Lesson 2 • CODIS and DNA Databases

Describes the national DNA database structure, submission criteria, and hit procedures. Database searches link unknown profiles to known offenders or unsolved cases.

Lesson 3 • Bloodstain Pattern Analysis Basics

Introduces the physics of blood behaviour and pattern classification. Pattern interpretation informs reconstruction of events and victim or suspect positioning.

Lesson 4 • DNA Typing Methods

Explains STR profiling, Y-STR, mitochondrial DNA, and touch DNA techniques. Learners understand which method applies to each evidence type and its statistical weight.

Lesson 1 • Lifting and Preserving Developed Prints

Covers tape lifting, photography, and casting to preserve developed prints for analysis. Proper preservation prevents loss of detail before laboratory comparison.

Lesson 2 • Latent Print Development Techniques

Teaches physical and chemical methods for visualising latent prints on varied surfaces. Method selection depends on surface type, age of deposit, and environmental conditions.

Lesson 3 • Footwear, Tyre, and Tool Mark Comparison

Extends impression evidence skills to non-fingerprint marks using class and individual characteristics. Comparison methodology mirrors fingerprint analysis but requires distinct documentation.

Lesson 4 • Fingerprint Classification and Anatomy

Covers ridge detail, pattern types, and the basis of fingerprint individuality. This foundation is required before learners attempt development or comparison.

Lesson 1 • Alcohol Analysis and Impairment

Explains breath, blood, and urine alcohol testing methods and their legal thresholds. Learners understand sources of error and how to defend results under cross-examination.

Lesson 2 • Gunshot Residue Analysis

Covers collection, SEM-EDX analysis, and interpretation of gunshot residue particles. Results indicate proximity to a discharged firearm and support shooting reconstructions.

Lesson 3 • Fire and Explosion Debris Analysis

Teaches extraction and identification of ignitable liquid residues from fire scenes. Results support arson determination and link suspects to accelerant use.

Lesson 4 • Controlled Substance Identification

Introduces colour tests, microscopy, and instrumental methods for drug identification. Accurate identification is required before charges related to controlled substances can proceed.

Lesson 1 • Expert Testimony and Courtroom Presentation

Prepares learners to present reconstruction findings clearly to judges and juries. Effective testimony requires translating technical conclusions into accessible, accurate language.

Lesson 2 • Bloodstain Pattern Reconstruction

Applies advanced pattern analysis to determine movement, impact events, and victim position. Reconstruction conclusions must be supported by multiple independent evidence types.

Lesson 3 • Integrating Multi-Discipline Evidence

Teaches how to combine DNA, fingerprint, toxicology, and physical evidence into a unified case theory. Conflicting findings must be reconciled or acknowledged in the final report.

Lesson 4 • Principles of Crime Scene Reconstruction

Defines reconstruction as a scientific process of event sequencing from physical evidence. Learners apply inductive and deductive reasoning to build defensible event timelines.