Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2025

Introduction to Forensic Science (Online)

CJ 1350-30I

Course: CJ 1350-30I
Credits: 3
Term: Fall Semester 2025
Department: PSCJ
CRN: 32402

Course Description

Introductory course includes scientific principles applied to crime scenes, collection and preservation of evidence, lab techniques, and services. The identification of unknown materials and substances, fingerprinting, and comparison and matching of physical evidence. (As Needed) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Registration Restriction(s): Intensive English Program majors may not enroll

Required Texts

There are no required texts for this course. All course content is available in the CANVAS modules.

Learning Outcomes

The intention of this course is to develop your critical thinking skills. By the end of this course you should be able to:

  • Understand the importance of proper identification, collection, preservation and testing of physical evidence.
  • Describe and evaluate current forensic processes.
  • Understand the use and limitations of various forensic analyses.
  • Use deductive reasoning and critical thinking to draw conclusions from forensic testing results as they relate to determination of cause and manner of death and the criminal justice system.

Course Requirements

Module content should be studied before attempting the assignment and any associated discussion boards. The assignments and discussion boards are an opportunity to show mastery of the module content. For full credit, responses must be thorough, including information learned in the modules and the student's own opinions. After each module assignment and discussion board is completed, the module quiz should be taken. Quizzes and final exam may consist of multiple choice, true/false, fill-in-the-blank, matching, and short answer questions and will cover material from informational readings, class discussions, and assignments. All quizzes and exams are "open-note" since there is no way to monitor this online. However, the quizzes are TIMED. Module content should be studied prior to starting the quiz so answers may be provided quickly.

There will be one research project due at the semester. More details regarding the requirements of this project will be given when assigned.

Final grades will be based on the total points received in the following categories combined: 
- assignments
- discussion boards
- timed quizzes
- final project
- final exam

Course Outline

The schedule of topics are listed below.

Week | Content Description
1 | Introduction
2 | History & Development of Forensic Science
3 | History & Development of the Crime Lab
4 | Securing & Searching the Crime Scene
5 | Documenting the Crime Scene
6 | Collecting & Packaging Evidence
7 | Physical Evidence
8 | FALL BREAK  (Midterm Grades)
9 | Fingerprints 
10 | Forensic Chemistry 
11 | Hairs & Fibers
12 | Biological Evidence 
13 | Death Investigation 
14 | THANKSGIVING BREAK 
15 | FINAL MOCK CASE PROJECT  
16 | FINAL EXAM 
 

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

For full credit, you will need to complete assignments, discussions, and quizzes by their posted due dates. Partial credit will be given for late submissions, however, your grade will be reduced by 10% for each day late. No credit will be given if later than 5 days past the scheduled due date unless pre-approved by the instructor.

Attendance Policy

This course is taught completely online through CANVAS.
The subjects are split into modules. One module is to be completed each week. New modules unlock each Monday morning. You will have until Saturday to work through the each module independently. Each module will consist of a combination of course content, discussions, assignments, and quizzes. Module assignments and discussions are due Fridays at 11:59pm. Timed module quizzes are due Saturdays at 11:59pm.

Course Fees

Content for this section will be provided by the instructor.

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.