Free Self-Paced Course
Forensic Science: The Real Science of Solving Crimes
10 Weeks · 308 Sections · Science — Forensic Science
This free, self-paced course provides a structured 10-week syllabus for learning Forensic Science. Each module builds on the previous one, guiding you from foundational concepts through advanced topics with 308 pages of in-depth reading material. All content is drawn from our comprehensive Forensic Science textbook, organized into a clear weekly schedule that you can follow at your own pace.
Weekly Syllabus
- Part I — Foundations of Forensic Science
- Chapter 1: What Is Forensic Science? The Real CSI vs. Hollywood Fantasy
- Chapter 2: The Crime Scene: Processing, Documentation, and the Chain of Custody
- Chapter 3: Physical Evidence: Types, Collection, Preservation, and What It Can (and Can't) Tell You
- Chapter 4: The Forensic Laboratory: Accreditation, Workflow, Quality Assurance, and Why Labs Fail
- Chapter 5: The Scientific Method in the Courtroom: Daubert, Frye, and When "Science" Isn't Scientific
- Chapter 6: The History of Forensic Failure: Wrongful Convictions, Junk Science, and the Innocence Project
- Part II — Biological Evidence
- Chapter 7: DNA Analysis: How Genetic Evidence Revolutionized Criminal Investigation
- Chapter 8: Advanced DNA: Touch DNA, Degraded Samples, Mixtures, and Forensic Genealogy
- Chapter 9: Forensic DNA Statistics: Match Probabilities, Likelihood Ratios, Mixtures, and the Prosecutor's Fallacy
- Chapter 10: Blood and Body Fluids: Serology, Presumptive Testing, and Bloodstain Pattern Analysis
- Chapter 11: Forensic Pathology: How the Body Tells Its Story After Death
- Chapter 12: Forensic Anthropology: Bones, Identity, and the Unidentified Dead
- Chapter 13: Forensic Entomology and Botany: When Insects and Plants Solve Cases
- Part IV — Chemical and Toxicological Evidence
- Chapter 20: Forensic Toxicology: Drugs, Poisons, and What the Blood Reveals
- Chapter 21: Forensic Chemistry: Drug Identification, Explosives Analysis, and Fire Investigation
- Chapter 22: Arson Investigation: The Science of Fire and the Myths That Convicted the Innocent
- Chapter 23: Instrumental Analysis: The Microscope, GC-MS, Spectroscopy, and SEM-EDX — How the Lab Actually Sees
- Chapter 24: Gunshot Residue, Paint, Glass, and Soil: The Microscopic Evidence
How to Use This Syllabus
- Read at your own pace. Each module is designed for roughly one week of study, but there are no deadlines. Spend as much time as you need on each topic.
- Follow in order or jump around. The modules are arranged sequentially for a structured learning path, but feel free to skip to any topic that interests you most.
- No sign-up needed. Every page in this syllabus links directly to free, open-access content. Just click a topic and start reading immediately.
Ready to Start Learning?
Access the full Forensic Science textbook with all chapters, examples, and exercises.
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