IU Indianapolis Campus Bulletin 2024-2025

Undergraduate

• FIS-N 100 Investigating Forensic Science Lecture (1 cr.) Fall, Spring, Summer. Forensic science is the application of scientific methods to matters involving the public. Crime scene investigation will be taught so students will have general knowledge on techniques used in the field. Students will also be exposed to basic understanding of common forensic science concepts and learn how analysis of specific types of evidence is analyzed in a forensic science laboratory. Topics will include but are not limited to crime scene, hairs, explosives, fire debris, serology, DNA, illicit drugs, fingerprints, footwear, questioned documents, inks, glass, paints, blood spatter, and soils.

• FIS-N 101 Investigating Forensic Science (2 cr.) Fall, Spring, Summer. Forensic science is the application of scientific methods to matters involving the public. One of its principle applications is the scientific analysis of physical evidence generated by criminal activity. During this laboratory course you will learn basic techniques used to analyze forensic evidence. This will start with concepts in evidence documentation and collection. You will then learn concepts used in pattern recognition, forensic chemistry and biology, and trace evidence. There will be hands on activities in all these disciplines. Topics will include but are not limited to crime scene, fibers, hairs, explosives, fire debris, serology, DNA, illicit drugs, fingerprints, footwear, questioned documents, inks, glass, paints, blood spatter, and soils.

• FIS-I 205 Concepts of Forensic Science I (3 cr.) Fall, Spring. Forensic science is the application of scientific methods to matters involving the public. One of its principle applications is the scientific analysis of physical evidence generated by criminal activity. During this course students will learn basic concepts in forensic science and criminal justice system and apply the basic concepts towards evidence collection and analysis. Topics will include fingerprints, impression evidence, firearms, questioned documents, pathology, entomology, anthropology, and forensic science and the law and ethics.

• FIS-I 206 Concepts of Forensic Science II (3 cr.) P: FIS-I 205 and either CHEM-C 101 or CHEM-C 105 or FIS-N 101. Spring, Fall. Continuation of FIS-I 205. Students will learn basic concepts in forensic chemistry and forensic biology and apply the basic concepts towards evidence analysis. Students will learn instrumental procedures and methods used in forensic chemistry and forensic biology to analyze and evaluate evidence. Topics will include microscopy, spectroscopy, chromatography, hairs and fibers, arson and explosions, soils, glass, paints and inks, serology and DNA, blood splatter, illicit drugs and toxicology.

• FIS-I 300 Forensic Microscopy Lecture (1 cr.) P: FIS-I 205 and FIS-I 206. Fall, Spring. Discuss techniques used in the analysis of forensic trace evidence, such as impressions, glass, biological materials, hairs, and fibers. Topics include properties of light, compound microscopy, micrometry, refraction, dispersion, stereomicroscopy, and polarizing light microscopy.

• FIS-I 301 Forensic Microscopy Laboratory (2 cr.) P: FIS-I 205 and FIS-I 206 and CHEM-C 126. C: FIS-I 300. Fall, Spring. Students will learn techniques in the analysis of forensic microscopic evidence. Topics include the use of common forensic microscopes such as compound microscopy, stereomicroscopy, and polarizing light microscopy. Students will also prepare and examine multiple types of trace evidence such as impressions, glass, hairs, biological materials, and fibers.

• FIS-I 305 Professional Issues in Forensic Science (3 cr.) P: FIS-I 205 and FIS-I 206. Fall, Spring. Students explore ethical principles, codes of conduct, and professional issues confronting forensic scientists. Topics include status and credibility of forensic science, issues in criminal investigations and courtroom proceedings, crime laboratory culture, and whistleblowing. Students analyze real case studies to develop understanding of ethical behavior and challenges in the forensic science.

• FIS-I 400 Forensic Chemistry I (3 cr.) P: CHEM-C 310, CHEM-C 311, CHEM-C 325, CHEM-C 326, CHEM-C 342, and CHEM-C 344. Fall. This course will cover the major techniques and instruments used in the analysis of chemical and pattern evidence commonly encountered at crime scenes. The techniques of instrumental microscopy, gas, thin layer and liquid chromatography, and UV-visible and infrared spectrophotometry will be studied and used extensively. There will be lecture components for each of the type of instrumental analysis covered in the course.

• FIS-I 401 Forensic Chemistry I Laboratory (1 cr.) P: CHEM-C 310, CHEM-C 311, CHEM-C 325, CHEM-C 326, CHEM-C 342, CHEM-C 344, or instructor consent. P: or C: FIS-I 400. Fall. This course will cover the major techniques and instruments used in the analysis of chemical and pattern evidence commonly encountered at crime scenes. The techniques of instrumental microscopy, gas, thin layer and liquid chromatography, and UV-visible and infrared spectrophotometry will be studied and used extensively. There will be lab components for each of the type of instrumental analysis covered in the course.

• FIS-I 420 Forensic Biology (3 cr.) P: BIOL-K 322, BIOL-K 324. Fall. This course is an introduction to the use of biological materials to assign identity to persons associated with a crime. The course will introduce methods for the preliminary detection of biological evidence and introduce the use of DNA. The materials learned will encompass broader topics such as immunology, molecular biology, and genetics.

• FIS-I 421 Forensic Biology Laboratory (1 cr.) P: or C: FIS-I 420. Only open to students admitted to the FIS Program. Fall. This laboratory section includes practical exercises that reflect common practice in forensic science laboratories, including but not limited to collection and preservation of biological evidence, presumptive and confirmatory tests, DNA extraction, and PCR amplification.

• FIS-I 430 Forensic Genetics (3 cr.) P: FIS-I 420 or instructor consent. Spring. This course is a continuation of FIS-I 420 and will go into more detail about the structure of DNA, the application of molecular biology techniques for the determination of individual identity. The materials learned will encompass broader topics such as immunology, molecular biology, genetics, population genetics and statistics.

• FIS-I 410 Forensic Chemistry II (3 cr.) P: FIS-I 400 or instructor consent. Spring. Continuation of FIS-I 400. This course will cover the major techniques used in the analysis of chemical and trace evidence commonly encountered at crime scenes. This course will be broken down into 2 modules. The overall course will cover techniques used during the analysis of trace and chemical evidence in a forensic laboratory.

• FIS-I 450 Forensic Science Research (1-4 cr.) P: Requires application and approval of faculty member supervising the research. Forensic science or literature research with a report.

• FIS-I 415 Forensic Science and the Law (3 cr.) Fall, Spring. Application of various laws and rules of evidence to the forensic sciences and how the admission of evidence derived from forensic sciences can impact the administration of justice in the United States. Topics include preparation for testimony, expert testimony, subpoenas, basic judicial processes, admissibility of scientific evidence.

• FIS-I 440 Population Genetics (3 cr.) P: BIOL-K 322, BIOL-K 323, STAT-I 301. Spring. This course will serve as an introduction to the principles of population genetics. The course will cover the theory behind population genetics that includes a historical perspective to the current accepted models of population theory; examine the relationships between allele and genotype frequencies, and the fundamentals of molecular evolutionary genetics.

• FIS-I 380 Forensic Science Professional Capstone I (1 cr.) P: FIS majors only. This course for Forensic Science majors only is preparation for the next professional step. We will examine skills needed to become a forensic scientist including resume, cover letter, personal statements, interviewing practices, letters of recommendation, references, professional workplace behavior, employer expectations during the interview process, and job searching.

• FIS-I 480 Forensic Science Capstone II (1  cr.) P: FIS majors only. Fall. This course will serve as a culminating research project surpervised and mentored by FIS faculty and requires a final paper and presentation.

• FIS-I 431 Forensic Biology Practical Capstone III (1 cr.) P: FIS majors only. Spring. This laboratory section includes practical exercises that reflect common practice in forensic science laboratories. This laboratory is a continuation of FIS 40201.

• FIS-I 411 Forensic Chemistry Practical Capstone III (1 cr.) P: FIS majors only. Spring. This laboratory (taken with the lecture course FIS-I 410) is a continuation FIS-I 401 laboratory course, with additional instruction in advanced instrumentation for the analysis of trace and chemical evidence, and their interpretation. The laboratory course is capped with a mock case that includes report writing and testimony to culminate practical experiences for a forensic scientist with a concentration in forensic chemistry.

• FIS-I 495 Internship in Forensic Science (0 - 5 cr.) P: Completion of application and permission of instructor. The internship experience is designed to bring together the diverse areas of knowledge that the student has gained during the pursuit of a Bachelor of Science in Forensic Science. It is a synthesis of knowledge; where the student takes what they learn in the classroom and translates that to the real world of forensic science. This is usually completed at the end of the student's undergraduate career in Forensic Science. The experience of an internship can aid with the transition to a crime laboratory. However, students have the opportunity to complete an internship at any time during their undergraduate career. The internships should be related to forensics and have ranged from a variety of experiences. Internship location must be approved by the instructor.

• FIS-I 496 Special Topics in Forensic Science (1 - 6 cr.) This is a variable topic course. Repeatable with different topics.

Graduate

• FIS-I 500 Crime Scene Investigation and Quality Assurance (2 cr.) This course will cover material on crime scene investigation, blood spatter analysis, and various quality assurance/control procedures and recommendations that allow labs to maintain a high degree of confidence in their analyses.

• FIS-I 505 Overview of Forensic Biology (1 cr.) This course will cover material on serology, an overview of DNA processing and analysis, and how DNA profiles can be identified via DNA databases.

• FIS-I 510 Advanced Forensic Microscopy Lecture (1 cr.) P: Previous microscopy experience or FIS-I 300. Spring. Discussion of advanced topics in forensic microscopy. This will include review of common forensic laboratory microscopes such as, stereomicroscope, compound light microscope, and polarizing light microscope. The course will include the fundamentals of light, matter, and optics common to microscopy. Introduction to the application of spectroscopy to microscopy will be examined as well as thermal microscopy and comparison microscopy. Discussion on advanced trace evidence analysis will be covered, including impression evidence, plant material, feathers, polymers, and minerals.

• FIS-I 511 Advanced Forensic Microscopy Laboratory (2 cr.) This will be a hands-on laboratory course. During this course, students will perform analysis of trace evidence. This will include a more complex use of light and comparison microscopes and instrumental microscopes. Topics will include mineral content in soil, dispersion of glass particles, physical matches and impressions of trace evidence, polymer identification and microspectrophotoscopy. Students will also participate in a mock case and trial at the conclusion of the course.

• FIS-I 515 Overview of Forensic Chemistry (1 cr.) This course will cover the theory and application of forensic chemistry techniques such as spectroscopy, chromatography, spectrometry, and toxicology.

• FIS-N 580 Forensic Science Laboratory Management (2 cr.) Fall. This course focuses on management of forensic science laboratories: various organizational models, budgeting, and common laboratory policies. Differences in the management style for public and private sector laboratories, strategies for employee recruitment, training, and retention, managing workflow and maintaining compliance with accreditation bodies.

• FIS-I 520 Forensic Chemistry I (3 cr.) P: Forensic Science or Chemistry graduate student. Fall. This course will focus on the analysis and identification of commonly abused chemicals such as ethanol, controlled substances, and prescription drugs. The history, legal issues, synthesis, chemical/physical properties, and laboratory analysis of these materials will be discussed. Special topics of the students' choosing will also be included in the form of student presentations. A separate laboratory section will also be offered in which students will complete practical exercises utilizing spectroscopy, chromatography and mass spectrometry that reflect common practice in forensic science laboratories.

• FIS-I 521 Forensic Chemistry I Lab (1 cr.) P: or C: FIS-I 515 and FIS-I 520 or instructor consent. Fall. This laboratory section includes practical exercises utilizing spectroscopy, chromatography and mass spectrometry that reflect common practice in forensic science laboratories.

• FIS-I 530 Forensic Chemistry II (3 cr.) P: FIS-I 520. Spring. This course will focus on the use of instrumental techniques to analyze trace evidence types such as ink, fibers, paint, adhesives, tape, ignitable liquids, and explosives. A separate lab section will include practical laboratory exercises utilizing spectroscopy, chromatography and mass spectrometry that reflect common practice in forensic science laboratories. Special topics will also include current research such as pattern recognition techniques, novel sampling methods, and provenance determination.

• FIS-I 531 Forensic Chemistry II Lab (1 cr.) P: FIS-I 521 or instructor consent. P or C: FIS-I 530. Spring. This laboratory section will include practical laboratory exercises utilizing spectroscopy, chromatography and mass spectrometry that reflect common practice in forensic science laboratories.

• FIS-I 550 Forensic Science and the Law (3 cr.) P: Open only to graduate students in the Forensic and Investigative Sciences program, students enrolled in the IU School of Law, or by instructor permission. Application of various laws and rules of evidence to the forensic sciences and how the admission of evidence derived from forensic sciences can impact the administration of justice in the United States. Topics include preparation for testimony, expert testimony, subpoenas, basic judicial processes, admissibility of scientific evidence.

• FIS-I 540 Forensic Biology I (3 cr.) P: or C: FIS-I 505 or Biology graduate student. Fall. This course is an introduction to the use of biological materials to assign identity to persons associated with a crime. The course will introduce methods for the preliminary detection of biological evidence and introduce the use of DNA. The materials learned will encompass broader topics such as immunology, molecular biology, and genetics.

• FIS-I 541 Forensic Biology I Lab (2 cr.) P: or C: FIS-I 540. Fall. This laboratory section includes practical exercises that reflect common practice in forensic science laboratories, including but not limited to collection and preservation of biological evidence, presumptive and confirmatory tests, DNA extraction, and PCR amplification. Open only to graduate students in the Forensic and Investigative Sciences program or by instructor permission.

• FIS-I 560 Population Genetics (3 cr.) P: Undergraduate genetics lecture and laboratory, Undergraduate statistics. Spring. This course will serve as an introduction to the principles of population genetics. The course will cover the theory behind population genetics that includes a historical perspective to the current accepted models of population theory; examine the relationships between allele and genotype frequencies, and the fundamentals of molecular evolutionary genetics.

• FIS-I 596 Special Topics: Forensic and Investigative Sciences (1-6 cr.) Lecture or lecture/lab courses offered on topic areas that are not part of the regular M.S. ‎curriculum. These topics may include firearms and tool marks, questioned documents, forensic ‎pathology, fingerprints, and others. They are electives in the M.S. in Forensic Sciences program.

• FIS-I 595 Internship to Forensic Science (1-6 cr.) The internship provides students with an opportunity to experience the workings of a practicing forensic science laboratory. Although a research project is usually the centerpiece of the internship experience, students will be given an exposure to all sections of the laboratory including case management. Students will also have an opportunity to attend a crime scene as an observer and to attend court to observe a forensic scientist offer expert testimony.

• FIS-N 570 Laboratory Project Design (2 cr.) P: Forensic Science graduate student. Design of a laboratory study to include a literature search into a forensic science topic, experimental plan, and final presentation, and a grant proposal.

• FIS-I 590 Seminar (1 cr.) Spring. Weekly seminars presented by FIS faculty, visiting faculty and FIS graduate students. Required for graduate students admitted into the M.S. in Forensic Science Program.

• FIS-I 698 Research M.S. Thesis (1-10 cr.) P: Consent of instructor. Credit hours arranged.