Forensic Science Seminars

Nebraska Wesleyan University offers the opportunity to learn about the latest developments in forensic science conveniently and affordably.

The Forensic Science Seminars help prepare students to be leaders in the field of forensic science as law enforcement professionals, crime scene investigators, or forensic laboratory specialists. Courses provide college credit, as well as law enforcement continuing education credits.

Recent seminars have covered:

Firearm evidence analysis
Interviewing
Fire scene investigations
Crime scene imaging
Expert witness testimony
Toolmark evidence
Sexual offense behaviors

Registration

Contact Denise Waller at dwaller@nebrwesleyan.edu or (402) 465-2329 for information about registering for the Forensic Science Seminars. 2012-2013 seminars begin August 19.

Tuition and Fees

Tuition for the 2012–2013 school year is:

$355 per graduate credit hour (500-level course number)
$255* for undergraduate credit hour (200-level course number)
$170 for law enforcement personnel enrolling in undergraduate credit only. Please note your law-enforcement employment on your registration so discount will apply.

Mail registration and payment to:

Nebraska Wesleyan University
Forensic Science Program
c/o Denise Waller
5000 St. Paul Ave.
Lincoln, NE 68504-2794

Fall – 2012

FORSC 290/590-01 Crime Scene Imaging
Instructor	Dates and Location	Credit
C.L.Retelsdorf, M.F.S. Josh Connelly, M.F.S.	August 17, 2012 (5pm-10pm) August 18, 2012 (8am-5pm) Location: Olin 113 PC Computer Lab, NWU	1 hour
As film cameras become extinct, effective digital imaging is an ever-important skill set to develop. This class will introduce students to court-approved techniques for digital imaging enhancements of crime scene photography utilizing Adobe Photoshop. The students will take an image from a crime scene or lab analysis, enhance or clarify the image, and be able to explain how and why that enhancement was completed without altering the image. They will be given several examples and be expected to enhance those images with little or no guidance after the lecture. The students will then be tested on knowledge gained through lecture and the practical exercise.

FORSC 290/590-02 Interviewing
Instructor	Dates and Location	Credit
Gary Plank, M. A.	September 14, 2012 (6pm-10pm) September 15, 2012 (8am-5pm) Location: Burt Hall South, LL1, NWU	1 hour
Much of the outcome at civil and criminal trials hinges on evidence gathered from witness testimony, and this course outlines how to gather this evidence in an effective and legal manner. This course examines the issues involved in interviewing.

FORSC 277/577 Expert Witness Testimony
Instructor	Dates and Location	Credit
Leigh Ann Retelsdorf, J.D.	September 28, 2012 (6pm-10pm) September 29, 2012 (8am-5pm) Location: Wesleyan Advantage Omaha Campus - 11815 "M" St. Limit 16 seats	1 hour
Expert witnesses are called to testify due to their expertise and experience in a specific subject, such as DNA analysis, scene investigation, psychology or many other fields. Many of these subjects can be difficult to present to a lay audience, such as a jury in a limited amount of time. This course will show students how best to prepare in order to present themselves, their credentials, and their testimony in a professional manner and how to anticipate questions from opposing counsel. The students will be given preparation techniques and become familiar with trial procedures. They will have to prepare a court C.V., and participate in a mock trial exercise.

Spring – 2013

FORSC 290/590-01 Violence, Mental Illness & Risk Assessment
Instructor	Dates and Location	Credit
Kirk Newring, Ph.D	January 25, 2013 (6pm-10pm) January 26, 2013 (8am-5pm) Location: Burt Hall South – LL-1, NWU	1 hour
This course focuses on the physiological, cognitive, and learning factors involved in criminal behavior from a psychological perspective as they inform the assessment of risk. This will include an examination of the relationship between mental illness and criminal behavior, especially violent behavior. Information regarding criminal behavior, violence, and mental illness will then be examined in terms of the assessment of risk. Risk assessment has developed as an important avenue for the identification and management of re-offense risk.

FORSC 290/590-02 Assessment and Treatment of Sexual Offense Behaviors
Instructor	Dates and Location	Credit
Kirk Newring, Ph.D	February 8, 2013 – (6pm-10pm) February 9, 2013 – (8am -5pm) Location: Burt Hall LL-1, NWU	1 hour
This course will provide an overview of the history and current best practices in the assessment and treatment of sexual offense behaviors. This will include a review of clinical and actuarial assessment approaches, treatment planning, and treatment modalities. A majority of the course will focus on adult males with sexual offense behaviors. Information regarding juvenile male, juvenile female and adult female offense behaviors will be discussed. Sexual Offender management and public policy issues will be presented.

FORSC 290/590-03 Laboratory Analysis of Firearm Evidence
Instructor	Dates and Location	Credit
Kent Weber, MFS Amy Weber, Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT)	February 23, 2013 – (8am-3pm) March 9, 2013 – (8am-3pm) Location: Olin 219 and 224, NWU	1 hour
Firearms-related evidence is frequently encountered in crime scene processing and law enforcement investigations. Laboratory analysis of this type of evidence requires knowledge of firearm operation and manufacturing techniques, evaluation of class and individual characteristics, and proper application of relevant examination methods and equipment. In order to better recognize and identify evidentiary materials, crime scene professionals and forensic firearm analysts must stay current on the latest trends and materials utilized in the firearm and ammunition industries. The student will learn the basics of forensic firearm and ammunition examination and complete practical exercises that emphasize observation, classification and research skills.

FORSC 290/590-04 Toolmark Evidence Recognition, Recovery and Examination
Instructor	Dates and Location	Credit
Kent Weber, MFS Amy Weber, Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT)	March 30, 2013 – (8am-3pm) April 13, 2013 - (8am-3pm) Location: Olin 219 and 224, NWU	1 hour
Tools and toolmark evidence are often encountered at crime scenes, and yet are easily overlooked or misunderstood if the scene investigator is not accustomed to handling such evidence. Students will become familiar with the variables that matter most in toolmark recognition and recovery, and will learn how to critically evaluate potential “suspect tools” encountered at the scene or through investigative efforts.

FORSC 290/590-05 Fire Scene Investigations
Instructor	Dates and Location	Credit
Christine Gabig-Prebyl, M.S.F.S Shanon Tysor, M.S.F.S	April 26, 2013 (6pm-10pm) April 27, 2013 (8am-3pm) Location: Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, Omaha	1 hour
Arson is defined as the willful or malicious setting of a fire with criminal or fraudulent intent. Arson is the leading cause of investigated fires as the average cost of an arson crime is greater than any other type of property crime in the United States. Arson is not a victimless crime; it causes injuries and the loss of human life. Yet, for all its economic and legal importance, analytical fire investigation remains one of the most difficult areas of investigation. The difficulty primarily comes from the loss of potential evidence due to the fire itself. The recognition and proper collection of evidence during a fire investigation are essential to determining the cause of the fire. This course will give students a basic knowledge of the analysis of incendiary fires including: the behavior of fire; fire pattern recognition; properties of common liquid fuels; evidence recognition, collection and preservation; and an overview of laboratory services related to the analysis of fire debris samples.

Nebraska Wesleyan University