FSCI 4020U – Interdisciplinary Topics in Forensic Science

This course will investigate advanced interdisciplinary topics in forensic science including forensic anthropology, entomology, decomposition, taphonomy, and archaeology. A particular focus on scientific research, quality assurance and quality control standards as it relates to each discipline will be discussed. Students will gain an understanding of the effect of environmental variables on the process of decomposition and will conduct a search and recovery of decomposed remains. Additionally, students will collect and analyze entomological, anthropological and environmental evidence for correlation with the decomposition process. At the completion of the course, students should have a greater understanding of the interdisciplinary nature of forensic disciplines as well as the challenges, limitations and ethics associated with each professional practice.
Credit hours: 3
Lecture hours: 3
Laboratory hours: 3
Prerequisite(s): (FSCI 3020U or FSCI 3120U) and FSCI 3030U and FSCI 3040U and enrolment in fourth year of the Forensic Science program
Note(s): This course may be offered in a hybrid format with 1.5 hours of lectures and 1.5 hours online lectures and self-learning material.
Experiential learning: Yes