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Be less curious about people and more curious about ideas
The term forensic science involves forensic (or forensis, in Latin), which means a public discussion or debate. In a more modern context, however, forensic applies to courts or the judicial system. Combine that with science, and forensic science means applying scientific methods and processes to solving crimes. From the 16th century, when medical practitioners began using forensic science to writings in the late 18th century that revealed the first evidence of modern pathology, to the formation of the first school of forensic science in 1909; the development of forensic science has been used to uncover mysteries, solve crimes, and convict or exonerate suspects of crime for hundreds of years. The extraordinary scientific innovations and advancements in forensic science have allowed it to become a highly developed science that involves a number of disciplines and thousands of forensic scientists specializing in everything from DNA and botany to dentistry and toolmarks.
Criminalistics is the definitive source for forensic science because it makes the technology of the modern crime laboratory clear to the non-scientist. This unit will introduce the students to the realm of forensics and its role in criminal investigations. The student will be introduced physical evidence collection, preservation and analysis techniques. The unit will bring to the students comprehensive hands-on experience in questioned documents examination, fingerprinting, crime scene investigations and facial recognition. Forensic Chemistry is a special field of chemistry dedicated to the analysis of matter and substances that may have been used in unlawful activities, abused or caused harm to individuals or the public. A forensic chemist is a professional chemist who analyzes evidence that is brought in from crime scenes and reaches a conclusion based on tests run on that piece of evidence. In the Forensic Chemistry unit, students will gain expertise in all the major branches of chemistry (organic, inorganic, physical and especially analytical) as related to forensic investigations. The analytical aspect of the course has been broadened from a more traditional chemistry focus to include modern and special types of analysis of importance to forensic science. Cyberspace is increasingly turning into a place where criminal acts are committed. This requires law enforcement agencies, businesses and other organizations to develop new competences. The evolving sophistication of computer crime, together with the methods and tools required to detect and deal with it, demand the timely development underlines the need for forensic scientists with relevant IT skills required by employers. In the case of forensic computing, there are two main areas of possible employment. Firstly, the police force with its need to develop high technology crime units, and secondly the private companies that wish to deal with a variety of illegal behaviour involving their technology. Both areas are predicted to grow quickly in the coming years and it is expected that the job market for graduates skilled in forensic computing will grow concomitantly. This unit will introduce you to a new area of next generation forensics. The extensive use of biological evidence to identify victims and offenders as well as indicate attempts to control victims prior to abuse or attack has had a significant bearing on the course of law enforcement investigations, criminal court proceedings, and victim service providers. DNA and toxicology evidence have become a highly influential piece of the crime puzzle. You will be introduced to the concepts of DNA profiling and analytical toxicology and their applications in forensic case work. Develop the necessary skills for analysing and interpreting the DNA and toxicology evidences and be introduced to the basic concepts of forensic anthropology. This learning will be through the study of the theory, hands-on practices relevant to real life scenarios as well as training on the forensic interpretation of the evidence. Forensic Psychology is readily acknowledged as one of the fastest growing areas of psychology in the world. Psychologists are now involved significantly in policing, judicial procedures and correctional processes. The term 'forensic' literally means 'of or used in law courts' (Australian Oxford Paperback Dictionary). The phrase 'psychology and the law', however, is now used more generally to describe the different ways in which psychology and law intersect - namely the psychology of the law, psychology in the law, and psychology by the law. By its very nature the study of psychology and law draws from a wide multidisciplinary base for the application of specialised knowledge. As a student of this discipline area, you will need a broad introductory appreciation of (and a critical perspective on) what the study of psychology and the law involves.
The term forensic science involves forensic (or forensis, in Latin), which means a public discussion or debate. In a more modern context, however, forensic applies to courts or the judicial system. Combine that with science, and forensic science means applying scientific methods and processes to solving crimes. From the 16th century, when medical practitioners began using forensic science to writings in the late 18th century that revealed the first evidence of modern pathology, to the formation of the first school of forensic science in 1909; the development of forensic science has been used to uncover mysteries, solve crimes, and convict or exonerate suspects of crime for hundreds of years. The extraordinary scientific innovations and advancements in forensic science have allowed it to become a highly developed science that involves a number of disciplines and thousands of forensic scientists specializing in everything from DNA and botany to dentistry and toolmarks.
Criminalistics is the definitive source for forensic science because it makes the technology of the modern crime laboratory clear to the non-scientist. This unit will introduce the students to the realm of forensics and its role in criminal investigations. The student will be introduced physical evidence collection, preservation and analysis techniques. The unit will bring to the students comprehensive hands-on experience in questioned documents examination, fingerprinting, crime scene investigations and facial recognition. Forensic Chemistry is a special field of chemistry dedicated to the analysis of matter and substances that may have been used in unlawful activities, abused or caused harm to individuals or the public. A forensic chemist is a professional chemist who analyzes evidence that is brought in from crime scenes and reaches a conclusion based on tests run on that piece of evidence. In the Forensic Chemistry unit, students will gain expertise in all the major branches of chemistry (organic, inorganic, physical and especially analytical) as related to forensic investigations. The analytical aspect of the course has been broadened from a more traditional chemistry focus to include modern and special types of analysis of importance to forensic science. Cyberspace is increasingly turning into a place where criminal acts are committed. This requires law enforcement agencies, businesses and other organizations to develop new competences. The evolving sophistication of computer crime, together with the methods and tools required to detect and deal with it, demand the timely development underlines the need for forensic scientists with relevant IT skills required by employers. In the case of forensic computing, there are two main areas of possible employment. Firstly, the police force with its need to develop high technology crime units, and secondly the private companies that wish to deal with a variety of illegal behaviour involving their technology. Both areas are predicted to grow quickly in the coming years and it is expected that the job market for graduates skilled in forensic computing will grow concomitantly. This unit will introduce you to a new area of next generation forensics. The extensive use of biological evidence to identify victims and offenders as well as indicate attempts to control victims prior to abuse or attack has had a significant bearing on the course of law enforcement investigations, criminal court proceedings, and victim service providers. DNA and toxicology evidence have become a highly influential piece of the crime puzzle. You will be introduced to the concepts of DNA profiling and analytical toxicology and their applications in forensic case work. Develop the necessary skills for analysing and interpreting the DNA and toxicology evidences and be introduced to the basic concepts of forensic anthropology. This learning will be through the study of the theory, hands-on practices relevant to real life scenarios as well as training on the forensic interpretation of the evidence. Forensic Psychology is readily acknowledged as one of the fastest growing areas of psychology in the world. Psychologists are now involved significantly in policing, judicial procedures and correctional processes. The term 'forensic' literally means 'of or used in law courts' (Australian Oxford Paperback Dictionary). The phrase 'psychology and the law', however, is now used more generally to describe the different ways in which psychology and law intersect - namely the psychology of the law, psychology in the law, and psychology by the law. By its very nature the study of psychology and law draws from a wide multidisciplinary base for the application of specialised knowledge. As a student of this discipline area, you will need a broad introductory appreciation of (and a critical perspective on) what the study of psychology and the law involves.
