2024-75

Motion Introduced by: Curriculum and Academic Programs Committee

Date of First Reading: March 25, 2024

Date of Second Reading: April 29, 2024

Title of Motion: Request from the New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences – School of Interdisciplinary Forensics – for the establishment of a graduate certificate – Human Factors in Forensic Science

Action Requested: This curricular proposal has received all college, school, unit and university administrative approvals, and is being presented to the Senate for review and voting decision. 

Rationale: Human factors involving motivational and cognitive biases can undermine justice by negatively affecting the collection, analysis and interpretation of forensic evidence. The curriculum involves specialized coursework at the intersection of psychology and forensic science to promote a comprehensive understanding of the effects of human factors in the forensic sciences. Courses will focus on the way that limitations in human cognition can adversely affect the collection, analysis and interpretation of physical forensic evidence and will identify practical and real-world solutions to the problem.