These courses introduce students to biology and chemistry as they apply to criminal investigations. Topics of study include the human skeletal system, dental remains, facial reconstruction and hair and fiber analysis, as well as pathology and toxicology. Forensic entomology and botany, including pollen analysis, are also covered in these courses.
These courses provide a theoretical and practical understanding of how a crime scene is processed and evidence is collected and tested. Information presented includes the use of technology in a crime scene investigation, preservation and testing of evidence.
Forensic taphonomy is the study of the processes associated with the decomposition and preservation of organic material. This science is used to estimate time and cause of death. Students learn how the ecology of a specific site affects the decomposition of a body or other organic material.