Course Descriptions

FORSC 201: Forensic Science I
This course provides an introduction to forensic science. Specialized areas of forensics such as forensic pathology, odontology, anthropology and entomology are introduced and some basic forensic science techniques are discussed. Following completion of the course, participants will be able to discuss basic forensic science techniques and the contribution of the pathologist, the odontologist, the anthropologist and the entomologist to the field of forensic science. Topics include: overview of the forensic science program, history of forensic science, overview of the medicological system, cause of death v. manner of death v. mechanism of death, victim identification (fingerprints, odontology, mass disaster victim identification), time of death (forensic entomology, forensic anthropology, lividity, rigor mortis, algor mortis), decomposition (skin slippage, mottling, mummification, adipocere), sharp force trauma (knife wounds, chop wounds, defense wounds, diversionary wounds).
Prerequisite: permission from Dr. Meerdink or Ms. Myers

FORSC 202: Psychological, Sociological, and Legal Aspects of Forensic Science
This course introduces the student to the psychological, sociological, and legal dimensions of forensic science. Discussion of expert witness testimony and psychological profiling of perpetrators is included. Following completion of this course, students will be conversant with expert witness testimony and psychological and social aspects of forensic science. Topics include: nomenclature of mental disorders (personality disorders, antisocial personality), child abuse/neglect, sexual abuse/incest, elder abuse, battered women, Munchausen by Proxy, psychological testing, psychological profiling of suspect (organized v. disorganized serial murderer), Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, serial homicide, expert witness testimony (voir dire), direct examination and cross examination, admissibility of evidence (Federal Rule of Evidence (FRE) 703—Frye Test and Merrill Dow; Daubert), court system (adjudication of felony convictions), sanity v. competence.

FORSC 203: Forensic Science Techniques
This course introduces the student to crime scene preservation and investigation, including collection, preservation and processing of evidence. Following completion of this course, participants will be knowledgeable about crime scene preservation and investigation techniques. Topics include: terminology (corpus delicty, mens rea, modus operandi), crime scene preservation, preservation of evidence (shoe/tire prints), crime scene investigation, chain of custody, criminalistics, overview of articulable suspicion and probable cause, Fourth Amendment Rights (search and seizure, search warrant), firearms evidence, toxicology/drug studies, DNA testing. Clinical study includes: tour of Nebraska State Patrol Criminalistics Laboratory and a four hour police ride along or an eight hour observation in an Emergency Department.

FORSC 204 Forensic Science II
This course provides an exploration of the concepts and principles related to the medicological investigation of injury and death, including post-mortem examination procedures. Following completion of this course, students will be conversant with various mechanisms of death. Participants will also be able to discuss the importance of the forensic autopsy. Topics include: sexual assault,, medicological post-mortem examination, blood spatters, motor vehicle accident investigation, head injury, chemical injury—alcohol/drug abuse, blunt force trauma (abrasion, contusion, laceration), patterned injuries, types of death (asphyxia, strangulation v. hanging, choke hold v. carotid sleeper hold, sexual (autoerotic) asphyxia, carbon monoxide overdose, drowning, electrocution, fire related death, exposure (hyperthermia/hypothermia), Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), Shaken Baby Syndrome, lightening strike, suicide (hesitation marks), homicide, sexual homicide). Clinical study includes: observing a post-mortem exam. Please note: schedule of speaker varies.

FORSC 297 Internship
The internship consists of 90 contact hours and is arranged with a forensic pathologist to expand clinical application of theory. Participants will write up six cases. Several internship sites are available in and out of state, including Lincoln, Miami, Kansas City and Pittsburgh. Be aware that internship costs are at each student's expense, so plan accordingly. Before participating in the internship, all inoculations required for the Hepatitis B vaccine must be completed. We also recommend a current tetanus shot and some sites require a recent TB test. Participants are expected to follow practicum guidelines and complete required writing assignments.
Pass/Fail only.
Prerequisites: Forensic Science 201, 202, 203, and 204 and permission from Dr. Meerdink or Ms. Myers.

Following the satisfactory completion of these courses and the internship, a certificate of completion will be awarded.