The Forensic Science Program strives primarily to offer a curriculum that equips students who envision a career in law enforcement or criminal investigation with familiarity and expertise in an array of techniques that are employed currently by field investigators and laboratory scientists.  Secondarily, the program offers the general education student the opportunity to experience the challenge of forensic analyses in an amenable format.

FORENSIC SCIENCE 2479  Introductory Forensic SCience

This course provides an overview of the field of forensic science for the science and non-science student alike.  Scientific methods are related to forensic applications with an emphasis upon evidence and crime scene reconstruction.  Laboratory sessions provide hands-on experience with field samples, such as print and splatter analysis.  The course includes three hours of lecture and two hours of laboratory each week and is offered each fall semester.

pre-requisite: MAT 1351     four credit hours

Click here to see first-semester students investigating the suspected murder of Dr. Smith….

FORENSIC SCIENCE 3479  crime scene analysis

This course reveals the latest methods of crime scene investigation and addresses how to, when to, and in what order to use the procedures to one’s best advantage.  Students will learn how to conduct specific tasks, alternatives to try when the original technique is not viable and safety concerns that should be considered when working in the field.  Emphasis is placed upon existing case analysis.  The course includes three hours of lecture and two hours of laboratory each week and is offered in the fall in even years.

pre-requisite: FRS 2489      four credit hours

FORENSIC SCIENCE 2489  Scientific Criminal Investigation

This course focuses the view of forensic science through an exploration of its applications to criminal investigations.  Explanations of the techniques, abilities, and limitations of the modern crime laboratory and descriptions of the most current technologies, techniques, practices and procedures employed in criminal investigation highlight this course.  The course includes three hours of lecture and three hours of laboratory each week and is offered in the spring in even years.

pre-requisites: FRS 2479; CRJ 1310, 1320     four credit hours

forensic science 4379  forensic files analysis

This course stands as a capstone to the forensic science curriculum.  Selected students will implement training in forensic science and criminal justice to propose procedures and techniques suitable for investigating unsolved or hypothetical criminal cases.  Cases will be developed, presented and cross-examined in a mock trial conducted in the Robert Girling Center for Social Justice before a judge and jury of faculty members and students.  Class meetings comprise three hours of case study, including one hour of research or outside consultation with experts in multidisciplinary team per week.

pre-requisites: CHE 4469, CRJ 4361               three credit hours

· Howard Payne University home page

· Physical Sciences at Howard Payne University

· Criminal Justice at Howard Payne University

Academic links

Resources

· Southwestern Association of Forensic Scientists (SWAFS)

· American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS)