Core Course
Credits: 3
Instructor: Dr. Tim Gallagher
This course will provide the student with an introduction to the importance of scientific report writing and forensic science professionalism. Foundational issues including ethics on a crime scene, academic plagiarism, and dishonesty within case report writing and courtroom testimony will be discussed with a focus on writing specialized forensic reports throughout.
Objectives:
- Demonstrate proficiency in scientific report writing with forensic science applications.
- Understand the differences in writing styles and techniques based on the role in a forensic investigation.
- Distinguish between plagiarized work and original work with respect to casework analysis.
- Explain techniques that contribute to successful public speaking in a court room.
- Understand and explain the “on paper” steps of an investigation from the scene to the trail.
- Define and explain jurisprudence and how it is used in forensic science.
Topics:
Module |
Topic |
| Module 1 | Citing Your Sources and Plagiarism in Scientific Report Writing |
| Module 2 | Interacting with the Media and Avoiding Professional Bias in Casework |
| Module 3 | Academic Writing in Forensic Research |
| Module 4 | Report Writing for the Forensic Investigator |
| Module 5 | Analytical Report Writing for the Forensic Science Expert |
| Module 6 | Techniques of Successful Public Speaking – Explaining Forensic Science Topics to a Non-Forensic Scientist |
| Module 7 | Expert Witness Testimony – From Scene to Trial |
| Module 8 | Jurisprudence |