Forensics has awakened a heightened interest in science among society at large. At the university level, forensics provides a wonderful way to engage non-majors in a scientific setting. At the University of Richmond we have created a non-majors chemistry course entitled 'Catching Criminals with Chemistry.' The course teaches students how chemistry can be applied to solving crimes. The nature of physical evidence is discussed, along with the chemical techniques used to gather and analyze that evidence. The course also introduces students to the legal aspects surrounding the introduction of evidence in court, thus providing an interdisciplinary focus for those interested in science and law. By combining case studies with applicable technology in the laboratory, students gain a heightened understanding of the important roles that chemistry plays in forensics. More importantly, non-majors  leave the course with a solid understanding of a vast array of chemical instrumentation.

Catching criminals with chemistry: A non-majors course in forensics

245th National Meeting (2013)

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