Anthropology 297MR - ST- Forensics: Myth & Reality

Interest in forensics has exploded thanks to programs like CSI as well as Fox's Bones, A&E's Cold Case Files, and Court TV's Forensic Files. But TV shows do not accurately portray the way forensic science is used to solve crimes. In Hollywood portrayals science is most often a gimmick--a technological toy that the hero uses to find evidence the criminal surely hoped was undetectable. In this class, we will critique the methods used in various episodes of these shows and compare them to the actual science of forensics. This will be accomplished in part through the examination of the effects of violence and trauma on the human body. Students will explore key concepts and principles in forensic science, clinical forensic medicine, and medicolegal death investigation. This will include causes and manner of death, postmortem changes, forensic case studies, crime scene investigation, and forensic anthropology. An emphasis will be placed on the analysis of human skeletal remains, which will provide students the opportunity to explore the many fascinating concepts inherent to the study of forensic science, biological anthropology, and archaeology while resolving the conflict between exciting fiction and complex reality.

Grades will be based on a series of lab assignments, quizzes, and a final paper. This course has no prerequisites and is open to all majors. It is particularly useful for anthropology, pre-med, pre-law, and criminal science/justice students.