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The Open University

Forensic science and fingerprints

The Open University via OpenLearn

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Overview

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This free course, Forensic science and fingerprints, covers how science can make fingerprints easier to study, how they are used in court and some of the questions about the extent to which fingerprint identification is sound and scientific. Students will learn the principles used in classifying and matching fingerprints (often called marks).

Syllabus

  • Introduction
  • Learning outcomes
  • 1 Introduction to fingerprints
  • 1 Introduction to fingerprints
  • 2 Fingerprints in identification
  • 2 Fingerprints in identification
  • 2.1 The use of fingerprints in identification and the classification of fingerprints
  • 2.2 Certainty and uncertainty in identifications by fingerprint matching
  • 2.3 Context and potential error in fingerprint analysis
  • 2.4 The use of new technologies in fingerprint matching
  • 3 The development of latent fingerprints
  • 3 The development of latent fingerprints
  • 3.1 The electromagnetic spectrum
  • 3.2 Interactions of light and matter
  • 3.3 Chemical tests
  • Acid-base reactions
  • Redox reactions
  • 3.4 Final activities
  • Conclusion
  • References
  • Acknowledgements

Tags

Reviews

4.1 rating, based on 12 Class Central reviews

4.6 rating at OpenLearn based on 57 ratings

Start your review of Forensic science and fingerprints

  • Profile image for Jana Elhenawy
    Jana Elhenawy @Jana2009A
    2
    This course is very good .its so useful and explains the basics of the forensic fingerprints.its so useful for the foresic students at their beginning
  • Profile image for Pallavi Tripathi
    Pallavi Tripathi
    5
    course content is very good...but i have not received my completing certificate.
    fingerprinting analysis is thoroughly explained and the plus point is that case study is also included which is very useful.
  • Profile image for Jey Shivani MS
    Jey Shivani MS
    2
    This course made me understand about the basics of fingerprint. Was really surprised to see a lot of physics and chemistry concepts explained in this course which are used for fingerprint analysis.
  • Tanisha Chandrakar
    2
    This course very nice content in it it means a very nice info about the fingerprints it has a very great experience to learn from it got more
    knowledge about fingerprint
  • Anonymous
    J'ai bcp appreciated le course. Ça m'a donnée lenvie et la curiosity de continuer à pousuivre d'avantage le prochain course merci beaucoup.

    Nenette Mukembe
  • Profile image for Shantul Junaid
    Shantul Junaid
    2
    Course content is good. But i didn't get my certificate of achievement I don't know why there is no option of getting it.
  • Profile image for Yangeadoo Civirter Esther
    Yangeadoo Civirter Esther
    This taught me a lot about forensic science and fingerprints.
    I didn't know that fingerprints play vital roles in investigation and at crime scenes till I went through this course. And I'm grateful for those that put this course together.
    I want to further more in it and this has opened my mind the more and has made me curious as to what more can I find on this journey.
    Thank you. It was worth it.
  • DHENYPHER CORDEIRO DANTAS
    2
    O curso é totalmente inovador, mostra diversas formas e angulos que sem ele não seria capaz de ibservar algumas situações. Também demostra a grande importancia de se estudar, analisar e discutir esse determinado assunto na sociedade atual.
  • Dhrumit Asari
    1
    Content of course is an overview, which only covers the heading and some facts.
    The detailed method for analysis of fingerprint detection and development is not given.
  • Profile image for Shashwat Saini
    Shashwat Saini
    This course very nice content in it it means a very nice info about the fingerprints it has a very great experience to learn from it got more
    knowledge about fingerprint
  • Profile image for Rucha Godase
    Rucha Godase
    Good course
    Got lots of information of Forensic science and fingerprints
    dont know when i will get my certificate
  • KANKANA BARUAH
    The contents of the course are excellent for introduction to forensic fingerprints. If anyone is interested in learning about forensics and fingerprints, this course is a must.
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