Professor: Joseph Peterson 4014 BSB 413-0439  e-mail: joepete@uic.edu  Office hours: T 2-4, F:  10-11

TA:  Mike Hronick 4030A  BSB  413-4116  e-mail:  mhroni1@uic.edu  Office hours: T 1-3; W 12-1

Introduction:

This course will familiarize students with the basic principles and uses of  forensic science in the American system of justice.  Forensic science is the study and application of science to the processes of law and involves the collection, examination, evaluation and interpretation of evidence.  This field encompasses many scientific areas which, if used properly, can make invaluable contributions to the resolution of social and legal disputes.  The course will review the basic applications of the biological, physical, chemical, medical and behavioral sciences to questions of evidence and law.  In doing so,  students  should gain a basic understanding of the capabilities and limitations of the forensic sciences as they are presently practiced.

Required Text

There is one required text for the course which is available at the UIC Bookstore:
        Saferstein, Richard. Criminalistics: An Introduction to Forensic Science. 6th edition
                         Prentice-Hall, Englewood Cliffs, NJ, 1998.

In addition, selected readings (those marked with an asterisk in the attached topics/reading list) are on reserve in the library.  Students are expected to keep up-to-date with all readings.

Evaluation

There will be two midterm examinations, one during the sixth week and the other during the eleventh week of classes.  Each of these midterms will constitute 15% of your grade.  A research project is also required and will contribute 30% of your final grade: 10% for annotated bibliographies, 15% for written papers, and 5% for oral presentations.  More information will follow on these assignments.   The final examination, which will be cumulative, will make up 30% of your grade.  Your attendance and participation in class and discussion groups will make up the remaining 10%.

                          • first midterm (6th week)                 15%
                          • second midterm (11th week)          15%
                          • research project                             30%
                                    (bibliography         10%)
                                    (written paper       15%)
                                    (oral presentation    5%)
                          • final examination                             30%
                          • attendance/participation                  10%
                                          Total                               100%