FSI 200 Fundamentals of Forensic Science Investigations (3).  A comprehensive course that studies the fundamentals and applications of the forensic sciences and, within it, crime scene management. The design of this course is both academic and practical. Students will be assessed by comprehensive testing based on readings and research, but further assessment will be balanced by discussion interactions and practical activities relating to the topics. Topics include Management of Crime Scenes, Medicolegal Death Investigation, Crime Scene Reconstruction, Impression Evidence, DNA Evidence, and Ethics and Forensic Science. The academic and practical components are immersed throughout the 8 week sequence [or 8 segments] of the course. This course is designed for forensic investigators, police officers, private or public investigators, or other students or professionals with an interest in forensic investigation. Prerequisite: None: This course is the prerequisite for all courses

FSI 241 Ethics in Forensic Science (3).This course explores the role of the forensic investigator as a moral progenitor and propagator. Students explore the forensic investigator from the moral lenses of a scientist, as a law enforcer, and as a member of the academic discipline of forensic science.  The course explores both historical and current issues of ethical dilemmas and expectations of forensic scientists, investigators, and trainers/educators.  A practical focus is placed exploring each student’s ethical foundations and growth. An academic approach focuses on philosophical paradigms of past and present in dealing with normative ethics of humankind. The design of this course is both academic and practical. Students will be assessed by comprehensive testing based on readings and research, but further assessment will be balanced by discussion interactions and practical activities relating to the topics. These components are immersed throughout the 8 week sequence of the course. This course is designed for beginning, middle, or experienced scientific and criminal investigators, or other students or professionals with an interest in ethical conduct, practice, and development. Prerequisite: None

FSI 301 Forensic Death Investigations (3). This courseexplores the role that science plays in the medicolegal investigation of death. The course explores both historical and current death investigation and administrative legal issues relating to death investigation. A practical focus is placed on time of death estimation, blunt and sharp force trauma, gunfire injuries, thermal death, asphyxia and drowning deaths, electrical and lightning deaths, and vehicular accident injuries. The design of this course is both academic and practical. Students will be assessed by comprehensive testing based on readings and research, but further assessment will be balanced by discussion interactions and practical activities relating to the topics. These components are immersed throughout the 8 week sequence of the course. This course is designed for medicolegal death investigators, coroners, investigators, or other students or professionals with an interest in death investigation. Prerequisite: FSI 200

FSI 302 Forensic Fingerprint Evidence (3). This course covers the theory and comparison methodology of fingerprint individualization. The course explores the anatomical concepts underlying the biological uniqueness and persistence of friction ridge skin as well as classification techniques, analysis and comparison methods. Realizing that skill is developed through a combination of theory, apprenticeship and practical application, this course incorporates all three elements utilizing book reading, video tutorials and practical application of concepts. Students will be assessed through a series of comprehensive questions at the end of each module taken from the reading as well as through the application of the methods learned in a series of practical exercises. Considering the discipline makes use of consensus and peer review, discussion is highly encouraged. This course is designed for professionals who want to enhance the underlying theory of their discipline as well as students who are seeking to pursue a career in friction ridge comparison. Prerequisite: FSI 200

FSI 303 DNA Evidence and Crime Solving (3). DNA is the genetic source code of life. It determines the physical characteristics of a person, as well as the internal processes that are essential for daily life and the continuance of future generations. Even though the vast majority of a person’s genetic code has no function, modern science and technology has developed a way for it to be useful in aiding those in law enforcement. Contained within the DNA sequence are variable and unique universal sequence patterns, or markers. Since genetic information is an inherited combination from both parents, no two people will share the exact same DNA—with the exception of identical twins. This exclusivity of the DNA sequence—and the technology used to identify individuals—has propelled DNA fingerprinting to be accepted as the Gold Standard of Forensic Science. This course is designed as an in-depth look into Deoxyribonucleic acid and how it pertains to human identity. The course is divided into 3 Modules covering a span of 8 weeks. Module I will introduce the biology of DNA, the origins of DNA Typing, and how information from DNA Typing is being used. Module II will cover the more technical aspect of DNA: how it is collected and preserved at the crime scene, and the laboratory procedures to obtain DNA from evidence. Lastly, Module III will cover the information obtained from DNA Typing, quality procedures to ensure its confidence, and its strength as legal evidence. Prerequisite: FSI 200

FSI 304 Forensic Photography Techniques (3). This course is designed for the photographer with a working knowledge of the camera and basic knowledge of crime scene photography. This class will give a basic review and overview of crime scene photography and deals with advanced technical photographic techniques used in crime scene documentation. This class will incorporate short reading assignments to strengthen and enhance the lectures and the practical exercises. This course is intended to be a “hands on” class requiring practical exercises used to demonstrate the techniques discussed in lectures and readings. Additionally, the student will be required to upload several digital images into the classroom, which will be critically analyzed by other students. Prerequisite: FSI 200

FSI 401 Forensic Behavioral Analysis (3). This courseexplores the role that behavioral science plays in the criminal investigation process. The course explores both historical and current issues of analyzing serial crimes and serial offenders. A practical focus is placed exploring recurring patterns of serial crimes, drawing meaning from observations of crime scenes, time-line investigations, geographic observations and conclusions, and common analysis of serial crimes such as murder, rape, arson, robbery, cult and unorthodox religious based crimes, and hate and bias crimes. An academic approach focuses on psychological and sociological explanations of serial criminals such as environmental, personality, or psychological motives.  The design of this course is both academic and practical. Students will be assessed by comprehensive testing based on readings and research, but further assessment will be balanced by discussion interactions and practical activities relating to the topics. These components are immersed throughout the 8 week sequence of the course. This course is designed for criminal investigators, or other students or professionals with an interest in criminal behavioral analysis. Prerequisite: FSI 301

FSI 402 Forensic Anthropology: The Identification of Human Remains (3). This course will provide an overview of the techniques used by forensic anthropologists in the examination of crime scenes and the identification of human remains, stages of human decomposition, forensic entomology, forensic odontology and the forensic anthropologist in human rights cases. The course in Forensic Anthropology will also provide students with an in-depth knowledge of the protocols, methods and procedures used by forensic anthropologists and entomologists in the recovery of human skeletal material, identification of human skeletal remains and to identify and analysis of types of bone and soft tissue trauma and the stages and processes of human decomposition. In addition, students will have gained experience in the identification and classification, timing and nature of trauma to bones and the estimation of time since death. Prerequisite: FSI 301

FSI 490 Special Topics (3, 6, 9). Courses who content is designed by Songer Institute staff based on needs of the profession, in coordination with specific agencies, or in cooperation with institutions of higher learning. Prerequisite: FSI 301, or permission of the administrator