Grade 15 - Law, Public Safety, Corrections & Security

Forensics: Using Science to Solve a Mystery (Credit: 0.50)

This course is the overview of modern-day forensic science careers at work using science concepts to collect and analyze evidence and link evidence to the crime and suspects in order to present admissible evidence in courts of law. Modern-day forensic science practices have come into being thanks to the contribution of science and legal professions seeking ways to study crime scenes and criminal activities in an effort to stop crime. Of particular interest in this course are the various applications of medicine in the field of forensic science. This course identifies science concepts and critical thinking in the area of forensic science. Following the presentation of the concepts, students are encouraged to conduct online research exploring examples and applying the concepts just learned. Links to case studies and interactive learning tools are supplied along with high-quality research sites. Projects are assigned throughout the course that allow students to actively apply the information just learned. These projects include simulated crime-scene investigation, actual DNA separation, development of a cybersecurity plan, and the identification of specific forensic skills used during the course of a very large murder case. The focus of this course is to assist students in making career choices. Secondary school students who complete this course will have gained an awareness of the diversity of careers available in the forensic field. In addition, attention is drawn to many similar careers in medicine and computer science. Included in this overview of careers is the consideration of job descriptions and availability, educational and training requirements, licensing and certification, and typical annual salaries. Students who take this class will become equipped to make more informed career choices in regards to the forensic and medical science fields. At the same time, students will survey the history and scope of present-day forensic science work.