BIY1026 Forensic Science L T P J C

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Pre-requisite Syllabus version
v .1
Course Objectives:
1. Demonstrate the methods, principles and applications of forensic science in criminal
investigations
2. Improve basic scientific principles of forensic science applied in solving criminal cases
3. Outline the concepts of forensic sciences such as crime scene investigation, forensic
photography, digital forensics, ballistics, fingerprinting, court and police organisational
structures and forensic DNA analysis.

Expected Course Outcome:

1. Explain the basics of forensic science
2. Assess the organisational structure and procedures within forensic science
3. Illustrate the concepts, principles and significance of impression evidence.
4. Summarize the practices behind collection, analysis and interpretation of evidences.
5. Demonstrate the capabilities in theory, laboratory techniques in analysing body fluids and other
evidence analysis.

Student Learning Outcomes (SLO): 2, 4, 7

Module:1 Historical Background of Forensic Science 6 hours
Past and present scenario. Forensic Science Laboratories, Experts and Divisions, Organizational
set up of Forensic Science Laboratories at central and state level. Body Farm.

Module:2 Crime Scene Profiling 6 hours

Crime Scene:Role of Investigatorin evaluation, evidence collection, protection and documentation
of crime scene. Sketching technique, types of Sketches, Searching Methods.

Module:3 Evidences and Documentation 7 hours

Impression based evidence analysis: Fingerprint Types and techniques, Modus Operandi Sheet
preparation. Fingerprint use in Biometric system .Tool markings, Tire, Footwear markings. Bite-
mark analysis, Fibers and polymers. Handwriting analysis, Question documents.

Module:4 Ballistics: 6 hours

Types, application, forensic ballistic procedures (internal, external and terminal ballistics) and
identification of firearms, Available ballistic databases.

Module:5 Blood, Toxicology, Pathology Profiling in 6 hours

Forensic Evaluation
Serological analysis (blood, saliva, semen, etc.), Blood Splatter- Origin of impact study Abusive
Drug types, Poisons and analysis. DNA fingerprinting in Forensics: Forensic Medicine DNA
fingerprinting: RFLP and PCR. Forensic pathology:Time of death analysis; Entomology and
pathology in death analysis.
Module:6 Forensic Photography and Digital Criminalistics 6 hours
Principle application of SLR-camera, Digital camera, CCTV in forensic analysis, Forensic
Facial Reconstruction. Cyber Forensics: Computer, Mobile phone data analysis, Ethical
hacking, drones. Deception detection tests (DDT): polygraph, narco-analysis, and brain-
mapping

Module:7 Forensic and Legal proceedings 6 hours

Forensic and Legal proceedings in India: Legal proceedings in forensics, CSI in India: problems
and perspectives.

Module:8 Case studies & Expert Guest lectures 2 hours

Total Lecture hours: 45 hours

Text Book(s)
1. Criminalistics: An Introduction to Forensic Science, 11/E, Richard Saferstein, ISBN-
10:0133458822 • ISBN-13: 9780133458824, 2015 • Prentice Hall.
Reference Books
1. Forensic DNA Typing, 2nd Edition, Biology, Technology, and Genetics of STR Markers, J
Butler, 2005, Imprint: Academic Press, eBook ISBN: 9780080470610, Print Book ISBN:
9780121479527, Pages: 688

2. Introduction to Criminalistics: The Foundation of Forensic Science, 2009, by Barry A.J.

Fisher, William J. Tilstone, Catherine Woytowicz, Elsevier Academic Press USA, 2009.
Hendry Lee’s Crime Scene Handbook, H.C. Lee, T. Palmbach, M.T. Miller (Academic
3.
Press), Published: June 2001, ISBN: 978-0-12-440830-2
Mode of Evaluation: Assignments, Continuous assessment tests and Final assessment test.

Recommended by Board of Studies

Approved by Academic Council No. 41 Date 17.06.2016