CH 420 Forensic Laboratory Techniques and Documentation

The applications of chemistry and biology to the analysis of physical evidence. Topics will be serology, analysis of arson debris, drugs, explosive residues, gunshot residues, papers and inks, paint chips and DNA. Laboratory techniques will include gas chromatography, HPLC, mass spectroscopy, atomic absorption spectroscopy, electrophoresis, infrared spectroscopy, liquid and thin-layer chromatography, basic and polarized light microscopy, PCR-multiplexing and DNA fingerprinting technologies. Technical writing skills pertinent to the presentation of physical evidence in a court of law will be addressed. The course will meet for 4 hours per week using a combination of lecture and laboratory experimentation as required.
Two lectures and two laboratory periods per week.
Credits: 4
Prerequisite: CH 313 or consent of instructor
Corequisite: CH 420L
Satisfactory Grading: Ineligible for the Satisfactory/No Credit grade mode.

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