Biological evidence is defined as evidence that is commonly recovered from crime scenes in the form of hair, tissue, bones, teeth, blood, or other bodily fluids.  There may be only one type of biological evidence present at a scene (i.e. bones) or there may be multiple types of biological evidence present at once.  Each type of biological evidence has a unique importance as well as its own probative value (for a forensic scientist).

Background
This course has been developed to provide the student with introductory level knowledge of the collection, preservation, and analysis of biological evidence. Students will learn about the different types of biological evidence that can be collected and how they can be used to assist in criminal investigations. West Virginia University Extended Learning and WVU’s Forensic Science Initiative presents these learning materials and this course to you on-line.

Objectives

Course Goal
The purpose of this course is to gain a basic, overall understanding of biological evidence.  There are many reasons for collecting biological evidence; the most obvious being forensic casework. Biological evidence is an excellent way of identifying potential suspects, associating suspects or victims to a crime scene or to one another, and linking crimes through databases. This course will be an introduction to the concepts encompassing biological evidence.

Course Objectives
By completing this course, the student will learn to:

• Identify and understand different types of biological evidence.
• Identify the function of biological evidence.
• Understand the different presumptive tests and laboratory equipment.
• Identify the safety hazards involved with biological evidence.
• Know and properly implement the different types of collection and testing methods.
• Understand some applications in the forensic science community.

Overview

Course Structure and Schedule
This is a non-credit course offered for 12 contact hours. Average completion time for the course is 8 weeks. The instructor should be notified if an extension is required. The course cost is $177 per registration, and a certificate for course completion will be issued to the student. Public laboratory employees are funded by NIJ Award 2001-RC-CX-K003 and 2003-RC-CX-K001.

Overview/Subject Matter
Topics covered in this course are:

• Introduction to Biological Evidence
• History of Biological Evidence
• Materials
• Safety & Biological Hazards
• Collection & Testing Methods
• Forensic Applications
• Supplementa/Optional Units
• Case Studies

Requirements

Prerequisite(s)
No prerequisites or course materials are required for the course.

Computer Requirements

• Internet Explorer
• Adobe Acrobat
• QuickTime Player
• Macromedia Flash Player
• Java Runtime Environment (JRE) 1.5

(Free software plug-ins are available in the Getting Started area of the course.)

Basic computer skills required (i.e. turning on your computer, navigating to websites, etc.) The course is user-friendly but support is available if needed.

Materials
All required readings are provided in PDF format.  There is no required text.

Registration Information

To Register
Public laboratory employees are funded by NIJ Award 2001-RC-CX-K003 and 2003-RC-CX-K001.  Please fill out the Supervisor Approval Form and fax or mail it.  No other form is required to register.  Students that submit a Supervisor Approval Form will receive registration confirmation by email showing a charge of $177.  Please disregard this charge if you are a public laboratory employee funded by the NIJ Award.  When WVU Extended Learning receives the Supervisor Approval Form, you will receive class access information by email within 5 business days.

Others: Register online through our secure server or fill out this form and fax or mail it to Extended Learning. You will be given class access by email within five working days. Call 1-800-2Learn2, or email WVUEnrich@mail.wvu.edu if you have questions. Major credit cards and electronic checks are accepted.

Refund Policy

Refund Policy
For all students: A $30 processing fee will be charged to the Department for any student that does not access or finish the class in the time allotted.

Others: All requests for cancellations/refunds must be in writing. Requests must be made within one week from when the class access information was emailed to the student. Mail to: WVU Extended Learning, P.O. Box 6800, Morgantown, WV, 26506 or email to WVUEnrich@mail.wvu.edu.

More Course Information

Contact
Forensic Science Initiative at fsi@mail.wvu.edu or (304) 293-6214.