Popular Course Explores the Fundamentals of Forensics
Contact: Irv Kornfield, 581-2548
ORONO — Decomposing carcasses. Sexual assault. Intoxication. The story lines sound like they’re straight out of a prime–time television crime drama, but for students in UMaine professor Irv Kornfield’s Introduction to Forensics course, they are the basis for scientific inquiry.
Since its inception in fall 2003, Kornfield’s course has opened students’ eyes to the world of forensics and, ultimately, made them better-informed citizens.
“I want them to have a robust understanding of the legal system, of where laws come from, how they’re enforced and what the penalties are,” says Kornfield, who is joined in the class by guest lecturers talking about topics related to criminal investigations. “I also want them to appreciate the nature of science and the way scientists pose and answer questions. This applies to forensics as much as other [scientific] disciplines.”
With the fall course continuously at full enrollment of 180 students, Kornfield decided to take the class online in order to offer it to those who are interested in the topic, but unable to enroll during the regularly scheduled time. Thirty-seven students are taking the web-based course this summer. Instead of mock crime-scenes with fake blood, the web-based course uses virtual crime scenes, presenting students with a novel approach to applying their knowledge.
Understanding the important, complex role of DNA is a crux of the course. Kornfield shows students the cells in human blood — often his own — from which forensic scientists extract the genetic material. He also uses an animal carcass to teach about succession — the orderly appearance of certain species.
The introductory forensics class is based on ongoing forensic work in UMaine’s Molecular Forensics Laboratory. Started by Kornfield in 1997, the lab not only provides hands-on experience for students, but also processes about 20 cases annually for the Maine Warden Service.
As a result of conducting such casework, Kornfield and undergraduate and graduate students in his lab have served as expert witnesses in court.
An article in UMaine Today magazine includes more information about Kornfield’s class.