Where Can I Find Free Online Forensic Science Classes?

What You Need to Know

Forensic science combines medicine and anthropology with technological advances and applies these disciplines to the fields of law enforcement and criminal justice. Experts in this field solve mysteries associated with crime scenes and human remains. Topics you might study in a free, non-credit forensic science course include methods used in autopsies, bone anthropology and crime scenes. Individuals can access course materials as a combination of lecture notes and videos. You would need special software to view certain material.

U.S. National Library of Medicine

This organization's National Institute of Health offers a course in Visible Proofs: Forensic Views of the Body. This class covers information on the medical, anthropological and technical aspects of forensic science. Course materials are available as video files and embedded images.

What Topics Are Discussed?

You can find case studies, photo galleries, interviews and articles on topics like forensic history and surveillance technologies. Medical, anthropological and technological views of the body are also available. The medical views section emphasizes autopsy techniques, while bones are the focus of the anthropology section. The technological section explores crime scene investigation methods, both past and present.

What Materials Will I Need?

You will need Windows Media Player or QuickTime Media Player to access the video files. Macromedia Flash Player is required to zoom in on the tutorial's photos. A high-speed Internet connection may allow you to view the materials more quickly, but is not required.

How Will This Tutorial Help Me?

The quiz in the anthropology views section will allow you to self-test. The included lesson plans can benefit teachers of grades K-12.