GEOS 3911 - Forensic Geosciences

Criminal justice presents a great importance on the order of communities and wellbeing of citizens’ both in domestic and global scales. While the details of the justice systems differs between countries, the understandings of right and wrong, justice, and value of human life is universal. Therefore, although ethical and scientific approaches to criminal cases may differentiate, the ultimate goal for the criminal justice systems are considered highly similar. This course is designed to introduce students to Earth Science concepts that are used for forensic investigations with earth materials as evidence. Global examples of interdisciplinary collaboration and applications of scientific methods in extraordinary circumstances will be explored via lectures that are built around real criminal cases. The methodologies including radiocarbon dating, soil analysis, isotope analysis, XRF microscopy, hydrogeology, geophysics will be introduced while collectively analyzing the evidences used to solve the cases. Students are expected to discuss their opinions in groups and present their scientific gains and own point of views in form of a documentary in a digital environment. This course satisfies WMU Essential Studies Level 3: Connections – Global Perspectives Category.

Credits: 3 hours

Restrictions: Junior standing