Graduate
Student Learning Outcomes
Forensic and Investigative Sciences
Master of Science in Forensic and Investigative Sciences (M.S.)
- Understand and describe the development of forensic science in the world and US and how we arrived at the present system.
- Describe the judicial system and the role of forensic science within it.
- Explain the development of the rules of evidence that pertain to the introduction of scientific evidence.
- Describe the major ethical issues facing forensic scientists today.
- Summarize the methods of collection and preservation of physical evidence and maintenance of the chain of custody.
- Describe the various schemes of classification of evidence and their importance.
- Compare the methods and strategies of the presentation of scientific evidence in court.
- Understand types of impression evidence including fingerprints, footwear, tire treads, toolmarks, and bullets and cartridge casings.
- Apply understanding of impression to analyze fingerprints, footwear, tire treads, toolmarks, and bullets and cartridge casings.
- Understand applications of light microscopy such as: stereomicroscopy, compound light microscopy, and polarizing light microscopy.
- Demonstrate common techniques used with light microscopy.
- Integrate instrumental microscopy techniques in the examination of trace evidence.
- Apply knowledge of the rules of evidence to promote effectiveness in the collection of evidence, examination/analysis of the evidence, and in the preparation of scientific reports and testimony.
- Describe the kinds of evidence that require a scientific foundation for admission.
- Demonstrate the ability to conduct accurate comprehensive and focused scientific investigations and apply appropriate rules of evidence.
- Interpret and implement standards of forensic practice as established by the rules of evidence.
- Apply knowledge of forensic science to case scenarios, and will exhibit increased mastery of the written and verbal presentation of scientific evidence generally.
- Demonstrate an overall knowledge of the legal system and more specifically, the criminal justice system in the courts of the United States and Indiana.
- Summarize the basic practical and legal aspects of some forensic techniques.
- Conduct a critical evaluation of the limitations and capabilities of some techniques for the purposes of writing reports and testifying in court.
- Demonstrate proper techniques for courtroom testimony and the use of exhibits.
Specialized Outcomes for Students Completing the Thesis Track:
- Conduct a literature search on a forensic science research topic.
- Participate in the design of a research project.
- Carry out experiments to properly collect data.
- Ability to document research data.
- Ability to evaluate and interpret research data.
- Effectively communicate research results through written, oral and visual presentations.
Specialized Outcomes for Students Completing the Non-Thesis Track:
- Conduct a literature search relevant to an area of research or laboratory procedure.
- Understand and describe an appropriate experimental design for laboratory projects.
- Generate a complete proposal for an independent laboratory project.
- Summarize the transition from a scientist to a manager/leader, including leadership assessment, time management, communication and effective delegation.
- Analyze the key components of quality assurance, including implementation of ISO 17025 and the essential national conversation about the accreditation of forensic science laboratories.
- Compare and contrast the best practices with regards to staff motivation, employee evaluation, conflict resolution, effective negotiations, creative problem-solving, collaborative decision-making and teambuilding.
- Integrate the concepts of revenue, expenses, assets, liability, appropriation and fiscal year within the context and resource constraints of a forensic science laboratory.
- Differentiate the processes of budgeting, forecasting and financial reporting in a forensic science laboratory.
Specialized Outcomes for Students Completing the Forensic Biology Concentration:
- Explain the principles, instrumentation and forensic applications of the following to biological evidence analysis:
- Collection and preservation of evidence
- Presumptive and confirmatory tests
- Introduction to DNA typing
- Single source DNA profiling
- Describe the biological composition, origins, significance for the most commonly encountered types of biological evidence such as blood, semen, and hair.
- Determine the appropriate scheme to be used on biological evidence as it were to be found at a crime scene.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the general concepts of population genetics.
- Differentiate between the main theories.
- Apply knowledge to generate a break-down of several examples through individual presentations of research articles.
- Describe practical examples of population genetics usage
- Recognize and explain the techniques used such as GWAS and Forensic DNA profiling statistics.
- Formulating results using several different Population Genetics computer software on sample data.
Specialized Outcomes for Students Completing the Forensic Chemistry Concentration:
- Describe the major effects of alcohol and drugs on the human body.
- Describe the main legal issues surrounding alcohol and illicit drugs.
- Provide detailed information regarding the analytical methods for alcohol and drugs.
- Identify major areas of research focused on alcohol and drug analysis.
- Explain the principles, instrumentation and forensic applications of the following to trace evidence analysis:
- Chromatography Techniques: TLC, HPLC, and GC
- Energy-Induced Methods: EDS, XRF and XRPD
- Spectroscopy Techniques: UV/vis/fluorescence, FTIR and Raman
- Mass Spectrometry using EI, CI and ESI
- Describe the chemical composition, origins, significance and instrumental methods for the most commonly encountered types of trace evidence such as ink, paint, fibers, explosives, and ignitable liquids.
- Determine the appropriate analytical scheme to be used on trace evidence.
