Lahore University of Management Sciences

Introduction to Forensic Science

Summer term-I (Monday, June 14 – Friday, July 9)

Instructor Muhammad Zaheer

Room No. 9-441A, SBA SSE 4th Floor (Bob Wing)
Office Hours Mon-Friday, 16:00 to 17:00
Email Muhammad.zaheer@lums.edu.pk
Telephone 042-35608465
Secretary/TA TBD
TA Office Hours TBD
Course URL (if any)

Course Basics
Credit Hours 03
Lecture(s) Nbr of Lec(s) Per Week 5 Duration 110 min
Recitation/Lab (per week) Nbr of Lec(s) Per Week Duration
Tutorial (per week) Nbr of Lec(s) Per Week Duration

Course Distribution
Core
Elective Elective
Open for Student Category SBASSE, SAHSOL, MGSHSS, SDSB
Close for Student Category

COURSE DESCRIPTION

The famous character of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and TV shows such as Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) demonstrate the use of
science by forensic scientists or criminalists to solve criminal cases. However, how forensic science really work?

The course aims to discuss the scientific principles and techniques behind the work of forensic scientists. It will utilize case studies (from Pakistan
and abroad) to shed light on the forensic Lab's role and the Criminalist/forensic scientist in solving crimes.
The course will answer questions such as: How did forensic science evolve? How a crime scene is secured, and physical evidence collected,
dispatched, stored, and analyzed? How can we use blood stains and patterns to differentiate natural death from murder? How can we collect and
develop fingerprints from paper, glass, and metal? How long has someone been dead? What if they have been dead for a long time? Is DNA
chemistry so powerful? How can we tell if a fire incident was natural or some fire accelerant was used? How drugs and poisons are analyzed? Can
a little piece of a carpet fluff, or a single hair, convict someone? How did J. F. Kenedy die? How did the forensic laboratory helped solve Zainab's
murder?
This introductory course aims to make the subject of forensic science clear and comprehensible to a wide variety of students from diverse
academic backgrounds. It introduces various aspects of the forensic laboratory and the forensic sciences used in collecting, preserving, and
analyzing physical evidence from the crime scene.

COURSE PREREQUISITE(S)
None

Last Modified on 7/1/2020

By Sana Khan
Office of the Registrar
 Lahore University of Management Sciences

COURSE OBJECTIVES
1. Review the interdisciplinary nature of forensic science and specify the vital roles of chemistry, biology, computers,
physics, genetics, and medicine in crime analysis.

2. Apply chemical, biological, nuclear, spectroscopic, and computer analyses to scientific physical evidence for
elucidation

Learning Outcomes
At the end of the course, the students will be able to:

 Describe methods of analyzing and identifying fluids, hairs, and fibers as to human, animal, and artificial origins and
cite related cases of crime solution.

 Apply DNA structure and sequence analysis for criminal identification

 Learn about instrumentation and techniques of evidence analysis applied to gunshots, bullets, shotshells, gunshot
residue, fires and explosions, drugs, poisons, alcohol, and toxic chemicals

 Match chemical and physical tests to analyze evidence data from metals, paint, glass, and crystalline materials, paper,
and clothing.

 Discuss the types of chemical, biological and nuclear hazards posed by terrorists and methods used to detect and
neutralize their efforts.

 Differentiate between "scientific evidence" and "expertise evidence" in forensics.

 Evaluate and explain various career options and educational preparations in forensic science, chemistry, law
enforcement, and court-related professions.

Grading Breakup and Policy

Case study reports and presentation: 25% (2 case studies, one before and the other after the midterm)

Quiz(s): 25 % (5 Quizzes in total)

Class participation and attendance: 15%

Final Examination: 35%

Examination Detail

Yes/No: Yes
Combine Separate: Combine
Midterm
Duration: 120 min
Exam
Preferred Date: June 26
Exam Specifications: Closed book, Scheduled on LMS, Fixed-time, Two attempts allowed

Last Modified on 7/1/2020

By Sana Khan
Office of the Registrar
 Lahore University of Management Sciences
Yes/No: Yes
Combine Separate: Combined
Final Exam
Duration: 120 min
Exam Specifications: Comprehensive, Closed book, Scheduled on LMS, Fixed-time, Two attempts allowed

COURSE OVERVIEW
Week/
Recommended Objectives/
Lecture/ Topics
Readings Application
Module
Welcome to class, Review syllabus and course Chapter 1 (page 4-24) CLO:1
requirements. Scope of forensic science, A
Lecture #1 brief history of forensics, The crime lab,
Functions of the forensic scientist

Crime scene investigation, Collecting and Chapter 2 (page 32-51) CLO:1&2

Lecture #2 packaging physical Evidence, Types and
significance of physical evidence Chapter 3 (page 62-69)
Lecture 3: Blood (types, characterization, Chapter 4 (page 80-97) CLO:1
forensic analysis), Bloodstain pattern analysis Chapter 15 (374-386)
Lecture #3-4
Lecture 4: Activity: Preparation of fake blood,
bloodstain pattern and stain analysis
Death investigation (manner, cause and time Chapter 5 (page 104-123) CLO:1&2
Lecture #4
of death)
Finger prints (principle, classification, methods Chapter 6 (page 130-149) CLO:1&2
of detection and preservation) Chapter 7 (page 154-165)
Lecture #5 Forensic biometrics
Activity: Dusting, lifting and developing
fingerprints
Matter (nature, properties), light (theory of Chapter 10 (page 224-245) CLO:1
Lecture #6
light) and glass (forensic analysis)
Lecture #7 The microscope (basics and types), Chapter 8 (page 170-183) CLO:1
Forensic analysis of hair and fibers Chapter 11 (page 252-272) CLO:2
Lecture #8
Activity: Hair and fiber analysis
Firearm (bullet, gunpowder residue, collection Chapter 9 (page 188-217 CLO:2
Lecture #9 and preservation of fire arm evidence), tool
marks and other impressions
Midterm Examination
Drugs (types, control laws, Chapter 12 (page 280-313) CLO:2
Lecture #10 collection/preservation/analysis)
Activity: Analysis of over-the-counter drugs
Forensic toxicology (analysis of poisons, Chapter 13 (page 320-342) CLO:2
Lecture #11
alcohol, law)
Lecture #12 Forensic analysis of metals, paints and soil Chapter 14 (page 348-370) CLO:1&2
Lecture #13- DNA (structure and analysis) Chapter 16 (page 398-421) CLO:1&2
14 Activity: DNA extraction and analysis
Fire (chemistry, collection and analysis of Chapter 17 (page 428-454) CLO:1&2
Lecture #15
evidence) and explosion (types, collection and
Last Modified on 7/1/2020
By Sana Khan
Office of the Registrar
 Lahore University of Management Sciences
analysis)
Document examination (handwriting and ink Chapter 18 (page 460-474) CLO:1&2
analysis)
Lecture # 16
Activity: classroom analysis of ink and
handwriting
Computer forensics (computer basics, analysis Chapter 19 (478-500) CLO:1&2
Lecture # 17
of electronic data)
Lecture # 18 Mobile device forensics Chapter 20 (page 506-517) CLO:1&2
Final exam

Textbook(s)/Supplementary Readings
Textbook

Saferstein, Richard. Criminalistics: An Introduction to Forensic Science, 12th Edition, Pearson.

Supplementary Readings

White, P.C. Crime Scene to Court: The essentials of Forensic Science, 2nd Edition, Royal Society of Chemistry.

Last Modified on 7/1/2020

By Sana Khan
Office of the Registrar