GEOL 230 Forensic Geology
This non-lab course will cover scientific investigative techniques involving trace evidence collection and analyses of Earth materials. During the duration of the course students will be trained on how to analyze geologic evidence (soil samples, rock fragments, and mineral paint pigments) and maintain a chain of custody in an effort to solve hypothetical criminal cases. Students in this course will use petrographic microscopic, X-ray diffraction and X-ray fluorescence analyses, along with Ground Penetrating Radar to collect evidence and then present this evidence in a courtroom setting. In addition to the hands-on analyses, students will study case files where geologic evidence was used to solve real crimes to learn how these data were applied and the forensic tools used to obtain this evidence. Offered alternate years. Prerequisite: permission of instructor required