GLS 256 Forensic Microscopy

3 Credit(s)

Forensic science has many applications in a variety of fields; it can be used to investigate ancient civilizations, atomic nuclear blasts and other artifacts. The primary use of forensic science is within crime scene investigation and evidence analyses. Microscopic techniques are vital to multiple areas within forensic science as they have numerous applications, including identification of trace evidence such as materials fragments, fibers, hairs, fingerprints that are left at the crime scene, on a victim or suspect. This class will focus on different instrumental techniques (e.g. petrographic microscope, XRF, SEM, EMPA) that can be used to investigate micro-scale Earth materials. Students will be introduced to theoretical concepts and practical applications of modern investigative techniques. Three lecture hours per week.
Prerequisites: One Geological Sciences 100-level laboratory course, or permission of Department Chairperson.