CJS 137 - Clinical Forensics

3 credit hours - Three hours weekly; one term.
Explore principles and practices essential to medical and legal investigations. Explore the cause, manner and mechanism of death in cases such as homicide, suicide, accidental, natural, and undetermined deaths. Study topics such as sharp and blunt force trauma, abuse, motor vehicle injuries, thermal injuries, sexual violence, drowning, forensic dentistry, firearms, drug and alcohol abuse, pediatric forensics, gunshot injuries, asphyxia, body decomposition processes, and ethical/legal considerations. Examine crime scene investigations and methods for identifying victims of violence and patterns of injuries from intentional acts.

Location(s) Typically Offered: Arnold Main Campus (MC) and Online (OL)

Term(s) Typically Offered: Fall and spring

Course Outcomes:
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

Define clinical forensics.
Describe the history of the medical examiner and coroner systems.
Describe and utilize the cause, manner, and mechanism of death.
Navigate the complex medical, practical, and legal issues associated with death investigations.
Identify patterns of injury consistent with trauma, injuries, abuse, and violence and practices for violence prevention.
Describe the processes associated with body decomposition.
Identify rules and techniques of crime scene investigation and evidence collection/preservation practices.
Discuss communication, safety, and security issues for professionals.