LS101 Course Description

Forensic Science and The Law:

A Beginners Guide to Physical Evidence, Expert Testimony and The United States Legal System

Note: Craig Cooley, MS is a guest instructors of Knowledge Solutions LLC.
He can be reached at: c-cooley@law.northwestern.edu

For administrative information regarding this course
please contact us via our request form.

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Purposes and Objectives
Lesson Plan
Requirements
Instructor
Textbook
Is this course for me?
Course Schedule
Cost
Registration
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Purposes and Objectives:

This course is designed to be an introduction into how the United States legal system deals with the multitude of issues concerning scientific evidence. Specifically, this course will concentrate on the legal issues regarding the ‘scientific’ interpretations and analyses of physical evidence. To comprehend the complexity of intertwining scientific paradigms into workable legal doctrines, students will be presented with foundational literature concerning the conflicting cultures of science and law. Following these introductory readings, students will confront such issues as:

• The evolution of expert testimony
• Historical foundations and expectations of ‘forensic science’ within the courtroom
• Whether ‘forensic’ science can be classified as a ‘science’ in scientific and legal terms
• The chronology of the admissibility of ‘expert’ and ‘scientific’ testimony
• Forensic concerns regarding present day admissibility standards
• The common ethical issues confronted by legal and forensic professionals concerning ‘forensic’ evidence

For a full syllabus, please refer here:
LS101 Syllabus.

Lesson Plan:

The course consists of a weekly online lesson plan in the form of an HTML (web) page, with assigned reading, and assigned questions. In addition, the instructor is always available by email.

For a full syllabus, please link to the syllabus.

The weekly lessons plans will follow the syllabus in structure, but will include lecture materials, reading assignments, discussion topics for the web-based discussion forum, etc.

Requirements:

1. The following software and skills are required for successful completion of this course:

• A familiarity with computers and their operation.
• An understanding of the Internet and how to access its resources.
• Competency with and access to Netscape Navigator, Internet Explorer or another forms capable browser, with the ability to view both text and images.
• A valid email address and familiarity with sending and receiving email.

3. For those students who would like a certificate of completion for the course, an open-book, online final exam consisting of short answer essay questions will be administered.
   
   Certificates of completion are given to those who have taken the final exam and passed. Certificates are prepared and mailed quarterly.

Instructor:

Craig Cooley, MS

Craig Cooley earned his M.S. in Forensic Science from the University of New Haven. He is currently an Investigator with the Illinois State Appellate Defenders Death Penalty Unit, and is completing his law degree at Northwestern University School of Law.

He can be reached for comment or consultation by contacting:

The Illinois State Appellate Defenders Death Penalty Trial Assistant Unit; 600 West Jackson, Suite 610; Chicago, Illinois; 60661;
Phone (312) 793-1259.
Email: c-cooley@law.northwestern.edu.
You may also want to visit his Law-Forensic.com website.

To learn more about Craig, please click on his name above to be taken to the Instructors page.

Textbook:

The recommended text for this course is: Legal Alchemy: The Use and Misuse of Science in the Law by David L. Faigman Please note: This book is a useful supplement to the course, but is not required. While a number of readings are assigned from the book, the student will gather the same amount and quality of information from the supplemental readings provided. These supplemental readings will primarily involve law review articles, case law and other scientific journal articles. This book can be easily purchased from our online Forensic Science Bookstore. Just click on the book link to the right.

Is this course for me?

Please be sure to read the syllabus, to see what topics will be covered.

This course is open to the general public. It is designed to be instructed at the college level, and given primarily at the senior/ graduate level.

People who will directly benefit from this course are:

• Students of Law, Criminal Justice, Psychology, Sociology, Forensic Science, and many others of varying levels
• University professors who teach Criminal Justice, Legal Studies and/ or Forensic Science
• Law enforcement personnel
• Crime Laboratory personnel
• Attorneys

Course Schedule:

Starting Date:	TBA
Ending Date:	TBA

Please note the Saturday start date for this 4-week course.

Maximum course size:	50 students
Time Commitment:	5 + hours / week

Please note: Due to the nature of our online courses, course materials and the discussion forum are available 24 hours a day and can be accessed according to the student's individual schedule. Thus, the time commitment can only be an estimate on our part and will vary from student to student.

Cost:

Total registration fee per student is $120.00 US. This does not include the price of the textbook.

Registration:

To register, please click on the registration link at the top of this page.

The deadline for registrations & payments is:

APR 10, 2004

Please note: Payment by check or money order must arrive at our office, and credit card payment must be authorized, no later than the Registration & Payment deadline in order to ensure enrollment and to avoid a $20 late charge. Late registrations are accepted after the deadline as long as the course remains open for registration; generally the first week or two of the course. Refund policy - We regret that we cannot refund enrollment fees if you choose to withdraw from a course once you have confirmed your registration with payment. Please see the Student FAQ for more details or write the Director of Forensic Services with any questions.

For more information about how a Knowledge Solutions course works, please consult the FAQ. Or, contact us.

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