CRM 221 FUNDAMENTALS OF FORENSIC SCIENCE CREDIT 04
Course Objectives
This course will address the various disciplines within the forensic sciences. Specifically, this course
will focus on the application of the medical and natural sciences to forensics. The development of
the medical examiner, coroner, and crime laboratory systems within the Bangladesh will be
discussed as well as the scientific and non-scientific methods used to establish human identity, and
the pathological conditions commonly found in forensic casework.
Course Contents
Forensic Science basics: Definition, Forensic Science in Historical Perspectives, Forensic Science
development in Bangladesh
Forensic Science Laboratories and their utilization in Police work: Growth of Forensic Science
Laboratories, Facilities offered by various Divisions of the Laboratory.
Fingerprints: Friction Ridges and Fingerprints, Individuality of Fingerprints, Historical
Development, Pattern classification, Why Fingerprints are recorded? Method of Recording
Fingerprints, Recording Procedure, Fingerprinting Deceased Persons, Searching for Latent Prints,
Development of Latent Prints, Physical and Chemical Methods, Ten Digit System of Classification,
Single Digit System of Classification, Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS), Ridge
characteristics, Ridge Counts.
Footprints: Nature, Location, Preservation and Collection of Footprints, Collection of Comparison
Print, Identification Characteristics, Shoe Print, and Tire Mark.
Ballistics: Forensic Ballistics, Firearms and their Classification, Identification of Weapon and
Cartridge Case, Bullet Identification, Direction, Time and Range of Fire, Detection of Residues on
Hand, Entrance and Exit Wound; Handling, Collection and Preservation of Evidence.
Restoration of obliterated Marks and Tool Marks: Types of Marks, Principle &Technique of
Restoration, Etching Reagents used; Nature of Tool Marks, Its location, Collection of Evidence
Bearing Tool Marks, Principle of comparison of Tool Marks, Comparison of Marks.
Documents: Questioned Document, Care, Handling and Preservation of Documents, Nature of
Questioned Document Problems, Identification of Handwriting; Individual Characteristics, Factors.
Affecting the writing, Handwriting standards, How to obtain standard writings, Indented and charred
Documents, Order of writing, Age of writing, Evaluation of typescript, Typewriter standard.
Alcohol, Drugs and Poisons: Alcohol &Their Effects on Body, Nature of the Problem, Signs and
Symptoms of Alcohol Intoxication, Collection of Samples, Drunken Drivers, Detection of Alcohol.
The problems of Drug Abuse, Drug Addiction, Identification of Drug Addict, Characteristics of
Drugs, Drug identification, Poisons, Role of Investigating officer, Action of Poison on the Body,
classification of poisons, Collection of Evidence at the Scene.
Forensic DNA:What is DNA, Source of DNA, DNA Profiling Technique, Forensic Application of
DNA Test.
Burnt Remains (Arson cases): Importance, Nature of Burnt Remains, Collection of Evidence,
Method of Examination.
Explosives: Types of Explosive, Explosion and Detonation, commonly used Explosives and
Ammunition, Types of Explosives Found at the Scene, Home Made Bombs and other Improvised
Explosive Devices, Bomb Disposal and Handling of Explosives, Examination of Explosive Residues.
Organic and Inorganic Analysis: Techniques and instruments for examining organic and Inorganic
evidence; Theories and principles of Chromatography, Thin Layer Chromatography, Gas
Chromatography, Spectrophotometer and Mass Spectrometer, Atomic Absorption
Spectrophotometer.
Counterfeit Currency: Production of Government Currency Notes, Characteristics of Genuine
Currency Notes, Methods Employed by Counterfeiters, Methods of Detecting Counterfeit Notes,
Search for Evidence.
Suggested Readings:
Boylan, J. (2000). Portraits of Guilt: The Woman Who Profiles The Faces of America’s Deadliest
Criminals. New York: Pocket Star Books.
Castleman, T. L. (2000). Death Investigation: A Handbook for Police Officers. Springfield, Ⅲ: C.C.
Thomas.
Dahiya, M.S. (2015). Principles and Practices in Contemporary Forensic Sciences.
Ahmedabad:Shanti Prakashan.
Kleiner, M. (2001). Handbook of Polygraph Testing. San Diego, Calif: Academic.
Lee, H. C.; Palmbach, T. M.& Miller, M. T. (2001). Henry Lee’s Crime Scene Handbook. New
York: