HNRS-250CH | Chemistry and Crime

Full Title: Chemistry and Crime

Topic Description:

How can science, in general, and chemistry, more specifically, contribute to the investigation of crime? The evening news, the primetime TV lineup, and the local bookstore are all filled with examples of the work of forensic scientists. This course will emphasize fundamental chemical principles that allow us to understand the techniques used to analyze evidence from a crime scene. From bloodstains to drug identification to DNA fingerprinting, commonly employed techniques of the forensic scientist will be studied. In the laboratory, students will perform some of these same analyses used by professional criminologists to solve simulated crimes. Students will also use general chemistry principles to design their own analysis methods. Finally, the class will engage the Roanoke College community around the issue of alcohol use. In addition to learning about the chemistry and biochemistry of alcohol and about how technicians analyze alcohol levels in the blood, we’ll research alcohol use and abuse at Roanoke and report our findings to the campus.

Counts as Global? No

Topic Approved: November 2014