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Undergraduate

Student Learning Outcomes
Forensic and Investigative Sciences

Students who graduate from the Forensic and Investigative Sciences program will learn:

Program Level Student Learning Outcomes

Aligned with IUPUI Plus+

  1. Generalize the forensic science system in the United States including crime scene investigation, crime laboratories and organization, specialized disciplines, and preparation for a career in forensic science
    1. Communicator: Evaluates Information and Conveys Ideas Effectively
    2. Community Contributor: Builds Community and Behaves Ethically
  2. Identity common pattern evidence in forensic science and determine the appropriate analytical techniques used to examine patterned evidence, such as fingerprints, tool marks, physical matches, and firearms
    1. Problem Solver: Thinks Critically and Analyzes, Synthesizes, and Evaluates
    2. Innovator: Investigate and Creates/Designs
  3. Interpret the use of chemical and instrumental techniques in forensic analysis and examine common chemical evidence, such as illicit drugs, fire residue, explosives, inks, and paint
    1. Problem Solver: Thinks Critically and Analyzes, Synthesizes, and Evaluates
    2. Innovator: Investigate and Creates/Designs
  4. Identify and analyze forensic biological evidence, such as bodily fluids, blood spatter, DNA and interpret evidence using population genetics
    1. Problem Solver: Thinks Critically and Analyzes, Synthesizes, and Evaluates
    2. Innovator: Investigate and Creates/Designs
  5. Recognize and demonstrate the use of ethics, bias, criminal and civil laws, rules of evidence, and expert testimony in the practice of forensic science
    1. Community Contributor: Behaves Ethically and Anticipates Consequences
    2. Innovator: Confronts Challenges and Makes Decisions
  6. Characterize common microscopes used in analysis of trace evidence and investigate common trace evidence with microscopes such as fibers, hairs, glass, biological and chemical materials
    1. Problem Solver: Thinks Critically and Analyzes, Synthesizes, and Evaluates
    2. Innovator: Investigate and Creates/Design
  7. Design a forensic science research project, formulate original ideas and present findings professionally
    1. Communicator: Evaluates Information and Conveys Ideas Effectively
    2. Innovator: Investigate and Creates/Designs

FIS 20500

  1. Describe crime scene investigation procedures and the role of forensic science in crime scene investigations
  2. Describe the fundamentals of crime laboratory culture and organization along with the possible job functions of forensic scientists
  3. Identify, characterize, and individualize evidence and various types of physical evidence
  4. Explain the rules of evidence, ethics in forensic science, and quality assurance and control 
  5. Summarize and interpret techniques used in areas of forensic science by generalizing each area with specific types of evidence analysis; topics include, fingerprints, impressions, firearms, toolmarks, footwear, questioned documents, and computer forensics
  6. Explain the role of specialized disciplines in forensic science in criminal and death investigations; disciplines include, taphonomy, pathology, entomology, anthropology and odontology

FIS 20600

  1. Identify and investigate the basics of forensic chemistry and forensic biology evidence and job functions
  2. Explain the principles and terminology associated with microscopy, spectroscopy, and separation methods
  3. Identify and apply microscopy, spectroscopy, and separation techniques to forensic science
  4. Classify, Illustrate and Identify commonly encountered forensic evidence in casework
  5. Interpret the use of common forensic evidence and the different methods used to analyze evidence; common evidence includes Blood Spatter, DNA, Population Genetics, Illicit Drugs, Toxicology, Fire Residue, Explosives, Fibers, Hairs, Glass, Soil, Paint

FIS 30100

  1. Differentiate how commonly encountered trace evidence, such as fibers, hairs, glass, biological and chemical evidence, is analyzed in a forensic laboratory
  2. Explain the principles, instrumentation and applications of microscopic techniques such as stereomicroscopy, compound light microscopy, and polarized light microscopy
  3. Investigate the application of physical matches and impression evidence comparison such as fingerprints, tire treads, firearms, footwear and tool mark analysis used in forensic science

FIS 30101

  1. Prepare and examine trace evidence samples such as glass, hairs, fibers, chemical and biological materials and patterned evidence samples such as fingerprints and tool marks
  2. Analyze and compare samples using microscopic techniques such as stereomicroscope, compound light microscopy, and polarized light microscopy

FIS 30500

  1. Describe the fundamentals of crime laboratory culture, organization and quality assurance and control used in forensic science laboratories
  2. Define ethics/conduct and demonstrate how ethics/conduct are applied in the analysis of forensic evidence and to the presentation of expert testimony in court
  3. Identify the major features of the Code of Ethics of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences and of other major forensic science organizations
  4. Distinguish the different types of bias encountered in forensic science and demonstrate methods to reduce or eliminate bias in forensic science

FIS 41500

  1. Describe how ethics are applied to the presentation of expert testimony in court
  2. Recognize the United States system of justice including the structure, participants, stages, philosophies and dynamics
  3. Distinguish the role of an expert witness in the justice system and correlate how to present and communicate forensic examinations and findings in a court of law
  4. Summarize the sources and evolution of the law of the United States and the development of the rules of evidence and specifically the admission of expert testimony and evidence in a court of law
  5. Apply the evidentiary rules and law of evidence in the collection of evidence, examination of the evidence, and preparation of scientific reports and testimony
  6. Demonstrate the ability to conduct accurate, comprehensive and focused scientific investigations and apply appropriate rules of evidence
  7. Conduct a literature search on a forensic science research topic and communicate your findings orally and in writing

FIS 49000 - Faculty-Mentored Research Capstone

  1. Conduct literature search on a forensic science topic using peer-reviewed resources
  2. Synthesize and communicate ideas on a forensic science topic in a professional presentation

FIS 48000 - Forensic Science Professional Capstone

  1. Prepare a graduate school application and resume and cover letter for a job search in the forensic science field
  2. Identify ways to network appropriately, demonstrate proper interview skills and recognize skills, talents, and interests that help inform searching for a suitable and engaging workplace
  3. Identify ways to manage workplace stress