Introduction to Forensic Science

Nanyang Technological University via Coursera

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Provider

Coursera
Pricing

Paid Course
Languages

English
Certificate

Paid Certificate Available
Duration & workload

18 hours
Sessions

On-Demand
Level

Beginner
Subtitles

Arabic, French, Portuguese, Italian, German, Russian, English, Spanish, Greek, Kazakh, Hindi, Swedish, Korean, Chinese, Thai, Ukrainian, Japanese, Indonesian, Polish, Dutch, Turkish

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Overview

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We have all seen forensic scientists in TV shows, but how do they really work? What is the science behind their work? The course aims to explain the scientific principles and techniques behind the work of forensic scientists and will be illustrated with numerous case studies from Singapore and around the world. Some questions which we will attempt to address include: How did forensics come about? What is the role of forensics in police work? Can these methods be used in non-criminal areas? Blood. What is it? How can traces of blood be found and used in evidence? Is DNA chemistry really so powerful? What happens (biologically and chemically) if someone tries to poison me? What happens if I try to poison myself? How can we tell how long someone has been dead? What if they have been dead for a really long time? Can a little piece of a carpet fluff, or a single hair, convict someone? Was Emperor Napoleon murdered by the perfidious British, or killed by his wallpaper? *For Nanyang Technological University (NTU) students, please be noted that this course will no longer be eligible for credit transfer.

Syllabus

Introduction to Forensic Science

After introducing the course, this module examines the broad range of Forensic Science and situates the discipline within its legal framework. Foundational ideas such as Association and Reconstruction are reviewed, the crucial Locard Exchange Principle is explained in detail, and the potential limits of Forensic Science are considered. The concepts presented in this introduction provide the essential basis for all following modules.

Chemical Analysis in Forensic Science

In this module, you will delve into the fundamental principles of chemical analysis as they apply to forensic science. You will begin by establishing the crucial link between atomic structure and the spectroscopic methods used to determine the elemental composition of a sample, providing you with a clear understanding of why these analytical techniques are both highly reliable and sensitive. Building on this foundation, you will then explore how these principles are extended to the analysis of molecular compounds and be introduced to essential methods such as Chromatography, Infra-red Spectroscopy, and Mass Spectrometry. Mastery of these techniques is foundational, as they are essential for your work in subsequent modules, including Narcotics and Toxicology.

Time of Death; Blood

In this module, you will investigate two critical areas of forensic analysis. First, you will examine the post-mortem changes the body and its remains undergo over time scales ranging from minutes to centuries, which are essential for determining the time of death. The focus will then shift to the analysis of blood evidence. You will learn the established methods for identifying and individualizing blood—excluding DNA techniques, which are covered in a separate module—and discover the crucial information that can be deduced from blood spatter patterns to help reconstruct the events of a crime.

DNA in Forensics

In this module, you will explore the pivotal role of DNA, an essential and ubiquitous tool in modern forensic science. You will gain a comprehensive understanding of the fundamental nature of DNA and how its analysis is employed in a variety of contexts. Through a series of key topics, you will investigate the landmark first criminal case solved with DNA, its application in resolving cold cases, its use in paternity and maternity testing, and the distinct characteristics of mitochondrial DNA, among other critical subjects.

Fingerprinting; Polymers & Fibres; Firearms

In this comprehensive module, you will investigate the forensic analysis of three distinct categories of physical evidence. You will begin with fingerprinting, exploring its history, composition, methods of visualization, and classification systems, while also addressing the potential for forgery. The focus will then shift to polymers and fibres, where you will apply your knowledge from the spectroscopy and chromatography sections to learn how natural and synthetic fibres—including the particularly important evidence of hair—can be distinguished and individualized. Finally, you will examine firearms, covering their history and mechanics before concentrating on crucial forensic topics such as the analysis of gunshot residue (GSR) and ballistic striations.

Narcotics

In this module, you will conduct a comprehensive examination of narcotics, beginning with their classification into natural, semi-synthetic, and synthetic types. You will investigate the use and effects of a range of prominent illegal drugs, including cannabis, cocaine, opium, heroin, morphine, LSD, amphetamines, and ketamine. The curriculum delves into the methods for their detection and identification, explaining how analyzing impurities can be a key technique for identifying the synthetic route used in a drug's creation. To provide a complete and current perspective, you will also explore the challenges posed by analogs and designer drugs and review the strategic measures used to control the illegal drug market.

Toxicology

In this module, you will conduct a comprehensive investigation into the field of toxicology, examining different types of poisons and their effects on the human body. You will analyze their modes of action and routes of administration, and you will learn to apply the concept of LD50 as a critical measure of toxicity. Your study will be grounded in foundational principles, such as Paracelsus's concept of the poison, and will cover specific substances like arsenic, alcohol, and nerve agents in detail. To solidify your understanding, you will apply these concepts by analyzing various case studies that illustrate the complex circumstances of accidental, deliberate, and occupational poisoning.

Case Studies

In this capstone module, you will synthesize the knowledge and skills acquired throughout the course by analyzing a curated collection of real-world case studies. These cases serve a dual purpose: they will not only reinforce the key forensic concepts and techniques you have learned, but also introduce new and important topics. You will deconstruct the investigative processes and pivotal evidence in a diverse range of landmark cases, including the historical identification of King Richard III, the complex investigations of JonBenét Ramsey and the Unabomber, and the classic forensic work in the Dr. Crippen case, among others, to highlight the critical aspects of forensic science in practice.

Taught by

Roderick Bates

Reviews

4.4 rating, based on 18 Class Central reviews

4.9 rating at Coursera based on 2826 ratings

Start your review of Introduction to Forensic Science

Adelyne Chan @adelyne
292

This course is a great foundation for anyone interested to learn the basics of forensic science, and the assignments are both challenging and interesting. The assignments take a bit of time to think through and work on. I would say the only real dow…

This course is a great foundation for anyone interested to learn the basics of forensic science, and the assignments are both challenging and interesting. The assignments take a bit of time to think through and work on. I would say the only real downside of this course was the nature of the peer-reviewed assignments, as we were not really given clear instructions e.g. on the structure and how much detail is required, and as a result many people who could have done much better were not happy with the results of their peer assessments.

I also loved the way in which the last week of lectures was not assessed, but the instructor instead went through a range of case-studies CSI style which was a very interesting way to finish off a course on forensic science! Some of the more technical lectures tend to get a little draggy, though the material is presented in a manner that is extremely easy to understand.
Anonymous

There are 2 main problems with that course 1. The information is unreliable! examples: a. The source that he gives for the Gareth Williams case said exactly the opposite of what he said. b. He completely misrepresented the George Metesky case. c. He…

There are 2 main problems with that course
1. The information is unreliable!
examples:
a. The source that he gives for the Gareth Williams case said exactly the opposite of what he said.
b. He completely misrepresented the George Metesky case.
c. He also gave partial information about blood testing at the scene of a crime - talking only about old methods.
d. In a fictional example that he gives, he tells us that,
the killer threw a bloody weapon that was never found OUT the window (apparently there is no one on the streets of Singapore), WITHOUT opening the window first, and the broken window glass (because he didn't open the window) was INSIDE the room. this shows how stupid the lecturer think the students are.

2. The course staff does nothing - they do not answer questions or address problems.

people who liked this course thought it was a CSI episode on TV, so they were dazzled by the information, but failed in checking it or really think what they were given.
Chloe
6

I have completed this course. This is the first MOOC class I have took. But from what I heard from my peers, they said that this is the best course that they have taken. I agree with them. Prof Bates explain things clearly and simplify some subject that may be difficult for those who don't have more in depth background in chemistry.

No pre-requisites is required, except knowledge of high school science. Prof Bates's occasional humor really helps liven up the dull, and sometimes dry material. So for anyone interested in forensic science, CSI fans? Wants to know more about forensics works? It is highly recommended.
Kristina Bogovic
49

Professor Bates takes extra time to explain material regarding forensic science, making it simplifed for beginners but also introducing us to more complex fields of work. Lectures are clear and notes are presented on screen for easy following. Lots of case studies and additional reading for understanding lectures and connecting them with real life forensics. Looking forward to finishing the course!
Erick Calabrano
6

It was a nice course, having two cases to solve was definitely fun. It's helpful because you start seeing things better, and avoid thinking that cases are easy to solve, as an example: In one of the cases reviewed, each time they had to take more…

It was a nice course, having two cases to solve was definitely fun.

It's helpful because you start seeing things better, and avoid thinking that cases are easy to solve, as an example:

In one of the cases reviewed, each time they had to take more and more fingerprints to expand the search for the killer, reaching even 50000 fingerprints at a time when there were no electronics databases availables. Despite not being checked in the door to door, avoid paying taxes and not voting, all things that made it harder for them to track the killer, they were able to pinpoint the one guy whose fingerprints finally matched.

Now obviously, maybe some cases aren't seen in that much detail, but remember, we're talking about cases that sometimes lasted for several years. So overall they did a great job in making a compact yet educational course for this subject.
Kristina Šekrst
226

This is one of the best courses in Coursera. It has a great scientific overview with carefully chosen real-life examples from previous historical cases, and even ones that happened a couple of years ago, which makes the forensic science even more al…

This is one of the best courses in Coursera. It has a great scientific overview with carefully chosen real-life examples from previous historical cases, and even ones that happened a couple of years ago, which makes the forensic science even more alive. The instructors goes over the most important parts of forensic analysis: determining the time of death, analyzing hair, fibres, DNA and fingerprints, studying about ballistics and bullet trajectories, analyzing toxins and poisons, giving scientific considerations about crime scenes etc. The quizzes were easy, but the course features also peer-reviewed exercises with fictional cases you had to describe and solve, and that was the most entertaining part. The teaching style was great, there's almost a perfect ratio of theory and practice, and I've really enjoyed prof. Bates' sense of humor and his methodological approach. I've learned a lot, and I'm recommending this course to everyone!
Mahnoor Khan
3

this course is extremely interesting and very well presented. prof roderick bates speaks and explains eloquently, you understand everything. the slides are attractive and simple.
do join! have fun!
Shelby Nichols @SHELBYNICHOLS918

I ABSOLUTELY LOVED THIS COURSE SO GOOD AT HELPING YOU LEARN AMAZING THINGS ABOUT FORENSIC SCIENCE THAT YOU DON'T GET TO SEE EVERYDAY!!
Michael Avila
1

This is the best MOOC class that I have taken. The instructor is incredible. He explains everything and uses videos top show what he is talking about. I recommend this course to anyone interested in forensic science.
Remy Tankel Carroll

I thoroughly enjoyed this MOOC. If you have any interest in forensic science, I can't think of a better place to start than here. There is a lot of fascinating information that's broken down into manageable sections. It can get very technical at some points, but not so much that a beginner couldn't understand.
JAMES MATHU
1
Aana
81
Magdalena @magdalenam
2
Buttercup Pansies
508
Anastasia Blita
14
Dawn D Shaw
27
Monica Kirkwood
Francisco Javier Jiménez
32