Forensics - Curriculum Guide 2017-18

Last updated: M.Phifer 7/17/2017

Book –Criminalistics: An Introduction to Forensic Science. 8th edition
Author - Richard Saferstein
Q1 - Chs 1, 2, 3,10, 14 Q2 - Chs 8,6,5,16,15,18 Q3- Chs 17, FBI Behavioral Analysis Unit, 11,4,15 Q4- Chs 2, 12, 13, Case Studies
Unit / Essential Standards / Vocabulary / Detailed Objectives (Time Allotment) / Assessment/
Implementation / Essential Questions
Scientific Background / Lab Safety
Scientific Method
Metric Conversions
/ Independent variable
Dependent variable
Scientific method
. / ●Students will understand the basic concepts of lab safety and the importance to observe lab rules and safety procedures each day in the classroom.
●Students will understand the history of the scientific method, and how it is applied in forensics.
●Students will put the scientific method into use by developing their own hypothesis and testing it for theory and describe how it is used in forensic science.
●Students will understand why metric measurements are used internationally.
●Students will understand and translate basic English measurements into metric form?
●Students will convert from unit to unit using metric measurements.
●Students will explain the importance of measurements in forensics.
Days - 5/180
/ Assessments will be in the form of homework assignments, quizzes and tests.
Assessments will also include:
* Lab safety quiz
* Lab – deductive reasoning
* Posttest / What are lab safety measures?
What are key pieces of lab equipment?
Where is the equipment located, and how is it used?
What is the scientific method?
How is the scientific method used in Forensics?
How do you convert from common measurements in the United States to metric measurements used internationally?
How do you convert from unit to unit in metric measurements?
Unit / Essential Standards / Vocabulary / Detailed Objectives (Time Allotment) / Assessment/
Implementation / Essential Questions
Relevance & History of Forensic Science / Usage in civic and criminal law
Major figures in the development of the field
Basics of the crime lab
Functions of the forensic scientist
Careers in forensic science / Expert witness
Locard’s exchange principle / Students will
●Be introduced to the field of forensics.
●Students will learn about the history, development, organization, services and functions of the forensic scientist and lab and be able to recall major contributions.
●Apply Locard’s principle to crime scenes in (one direction) which the perpetrator(s) of a crime comes into contact with the scene, so the perpetrator(s) will both bring something into the scene and leave with something from the scene
●Define forensic science or criminalistics.
●Explain what may influence eyewitness testimony
●Be introduced to other areas of forensic science that require expertise in a specialized area.
Days 5/180
Chapter 1 / Timeline of famous forensic scientists
Use of web resources and cognition videos
Posttest / What is the role of the forensic scientist?
What may influence the eyewitness testimony?
What are key events and major contributors and their contributions in the history of forensic science?
Unit / Essential Standards / Vocabulary / Detailed Objectives (Time Allotment) / Assessment/
Implementation / Essential Questions
Investigation and Evidence Collection / Physical evidence and the crime scene
Securing and recording the crime scene / Physical evidence
Rough sketch
Finished sketch
Chain of custody
Standard or reference sample
Buccal swab
Substrate control / Students will ...
●Apply Locard's principle to crime scenes in (one direction) which the perpetrator(s) of a crime comes into contact with the scene, so the perpetrator(s) will both bring something into the scene and leave with something from the scene
●Describe proper procedures for conducting a systematic search of crime scenes for physical evidence.
●Describe proper techniques for packaging common types of physical evidence.
●Explain the legal considerations at the crime scene.
●Distinguish between direct and indirect evidence.
●Define physical evidence
Days 5/180
Chapter 2 / Evidence collection (Druggist fold)
Lab - Sketching a crime scene
Lab - T-shirt lab (Locard’s exercise)
Case Study
Web resources – How to use a microscope
Post test / What is the importance of the physical evidence found at the crime scene?
What is the best way to search a crime scene?
Can a crime scene be reconstructed?
How do you properly package physical evidence?
What is the difference between indirect and direct evidence?
What is physical evidence?
Physical Evidence / Types
Examination
Significance / Class characteristics
Comparison & Identification
Individual characteristics
Product rule
Reconstruction / Students will…
●Identify different types of physical evidence.
●Explain what physical evidence can and cannot prove in court
●Collect physical evidence
●Differentiate between direct evidence, circumstantial evidence, and individual evidence.
●Differentiate between the significance of individual evidence vs. class evidence.
Days 8/180
Chapter 3 / Case study
Lab – Bone length to height comparisons
Lab – Identifying bones of the skeleton
Posttest
Webquest – Autopsy and Time of Death / What can physical evidence be used to prove in court?
What can physical evidence not prove in court?
What is the difference between individual and class evidence?.
What is the importance of the physical evidence found at the crime scene?
Unit / Essential Standards / Vocabulary / Detailed Objectives (Time Allotment) / Assessment/
Implementation / Essential Questions
Trace Evidence: Hairs / Forensic examination of hair
Collection and preservation of fiber evidence
Morphology of hair, and how to identify and compare hair samples.
Proper methods for collection and preservation of hair evidence / Cuticle
Cortex
Medulla
Anagen phase
Catagen phase
Telogen phase
Follicular tag
Nuclear DNA
Mitochondrial DNA / Students will ...
●Describe the cuticle, cortex and medulla of hair.
●Explain the distinction between animal and human hair.
●Process hair evidence
Days 3/180
Chapter 10 / Case study
Lab – Collection of hair, microscopic identification of prepared hair slides
Web resources
Posttest / What are the proper methods for hair and fiber collection at the crime scene?
What is the probative value of this evidence?
Trace Evidence: Fiber and Textiles / Different types of fiber are introduced.
Collection and preservation techniques of fiber evidence are introduced. / Natural fibers
Manufactured fibers
Polymer
Monomer
Molecule & macromolecule / Students will ...
●Classify fiber Identify common weave patterns and textiles.
●Differentiate between physical and chemical analysis.
●Identify common fibers.
●Perform a forensic analysis of a fiber sample
Days 10/180
Chapter 10 / Cast study
Web resources
Posttest / What are the proper methods for hair and fiber collection at the crime scene?
What is the probative value of this evidence?
Unit / Essential Standards / Vocabulary / Detailed Objectives (Time Allotment) / Assessment/
Implementation / Essential Questions
Fingerprints / History of fingerprinting
Fundamental principles of fingerprinting
Classification of fingerprints
Methods of detecting fingerprints
Digital imaging for fingerprint enhancement / Anthropometry
Ridge characteristics
Latent fingerprint
Loop, whorl & arch
AFIS
Livescan
Viable print
Plastic print
Iodine fuming
Sublimation
Physical developer
Fluoresce / Students will…
●Summarize the history of fingerprinting
●Describe some characteristics of fingerprints.
●Identify basic types of fingerprints.
●Explain the reliability and identification of fingerprints.
●Collect fingerprints.
● Describe some fingerprint identification technologies.
●Lift fingerprints and match latent fingerprints.
●Lift latent prints, process a ten card and match prints
●Solve “classroom crimes” based on fingerprint analysis only
Days 5/180
Chapter 14 / Case study
Lab – fingerprint collection with pencil/tape and ink
Lab – fingerprint analysis using patterns and ridge characteristics
Fingerprint Challenge
Web resources
Posttest / Are the fingerprints a match?
What determines the type of fingerprint?
How can a forensic science help detectives/police officers obtain the best fingerprint?
Are fingerprints a reliable source to determine guilt?
How are fingerprints organized in national databases?
What are common methods for detecting fingerprints?
DNA Fingerprinting / Collecting crime-scene evidence DNA.
Processing crime scene evidence to obtain DNA
Comparing DNA.
Gel electrophoresis.
Uses of DNA analysis in matching evidence / None / Students will...
●Explain the scientific principles involved in DNA fingerprinting.
●Analyze DNA evidence.
●Process and match DNA fingerprints.
●Participate in an interactive electrophoresis lab activity from the UNC mobile lab and use data to analyze crime scene evidence
Days 5/180
Chapter 14 / DNA extraction
DNA analysis lab
Posttest / What is DNA fingerprinting?
How does it compare to a general fingerprint collection method?
What advantages and/or disadvantages does DNA fingerprinting offer to forensic scientists.
Forensic Sereology / Microscopes
Nature of Blood
Immunoassay techniques
Forensic characterization of blood stains
Blood stain patterns / DNA
Plasma
Erythrocyte
Serum
Antigen
Antibody
Antiserum
Agglutination
Serology
Polyclonal
antibodies
Monoclonal antibodies
Hemoglobin
Luminal
Precipitin
Gene
Chromosome
Allele
Homozygous
Heterozygous
Genotype
Phenotype
Acid phosphatase
Enzyme
Oligospermia / Students will …
●Determine the ABO and Rh blood type of four suspects and compare them to blood found at the crime scene.
●Determine if a substance found at the scene is blood through microscopic examination.
●Analyze blood spatter.
●Have a clear understanding of key vocabulary terms and be able to write proficiently a forensics report using terms
●Define sereology
Days 10/180
Chapter 8 / Lecture
Case Study
Lab – blood spatter analysis
Web resources
Posttest / What are the ABO and Rh blood types?
How can you tell a substance is blood through microscopic examination?
Unit / Essential Standards / Vocabulary / Detailed Objectives (Time Allotment) / Assessment/
Implementation / Essential Questions
Forensic Toxicology / Role of toxicology
Role of toxicologist
Toxicology of alcohol
Testing for
intoxication
Analysis of blood for alcohol
Alcohol and law / Absorption
Acid
Alveoli
Anticoagulant
Artery
Base
Capillary
Catalyst
Excretion
Fuel cell detector
Metabolism
Oxidation
pH scale
Preservative
Toxicologist
Vein / Students will ...
●Identify the five types of controlled substances.
●Describe the signs and symptoms of overdose in relation to specific toxins.
●Identify some possible agents of bioterrorism
Days 5/180
Chapter 6 / Case study
Lab – Field Sobriety testing
Web resources
Posttest / How do you identify drugs and what is the probative value of the different tests?
What is bioterrorism?
What type of substances can be used in a bioterrorism attack?
Drugs / Drug dependence
Types of drugs
Drug control laws
Forensic drug analysis
Collection and preservation of drug evidence / Anabolic steroids
Analgesic
Chromatography
Confirmation
Depressant
Hallucinogen
Infrared
Ion
Microcrystalline
test
Monochromatic light
Monochromator
Narcotic
Physical & psychological dependence
Screening test
Spectrophotometry
Stimulant
Ultraviolet / Students will ...
●Identify the five types of controlled substances.
●Describe the signs and symptoms of overdose in relation to specific toxins.
●Identify some possible agents of bioterrorism
Days 10/180
Chapter 5 / Case study
Web resources
Lab - Drug identification based on physical characteristics and human alterations
Posttest / How do you identify drugs and what is the probative value of the different tests?
What are some of the key characteristics of common drugs?
How is toxicology used in forensic science?
Is toxicology used more for the victim or perpetrator?
How do forensic scientists and police stay aware of new drugs and their uses in crimes?
Drugs vs alcohol?
Unit / Essential Standards / Vocabulary / Detailed Objectives (Time Allotment) / Assessment/
Implementation / Essential Questions
Document and Voice Examination / Document examiner
Handwriting comparisons
Typescript comparisons
Alternations, erasers, and obliterations
Other document problems / Chromatography
Document
Document
analysis
Exemplar
Fraudulence
Solvent
Solution
Solute / Students will …
●Explain the process of forensic handwriting analysis.
●Compare handwriting samples.
●Describe the technology used in handwriting analysis.
●Explain how to determine if a bill is counterfeit.
Days 5/180
Chapter 16 / Chromatography
Handwriting Analysis Worksheets
Crime Scene Analysis
The Case of Lois MacArthur
Posttest / What do you look for when you compare handwriting samples?
Is it a forgery?
Firearms, Tool Marks and Other Impressions / Bullet and cartridge comparison
Automated firearm search system
Gunpowder & Primer residues on the hands
Serial # restoration
Collection and preservation of firearm evidence
Tool marks
Other impressions
Laws of motion
Momentum
Accident reconstruction / Firearms identification
Grooves
Rifling
Bore
Lands
Caliber
Gauge
Breechblock
Extractor
Trajectory
Ejector
Distance determination
Choke
Greiss test
Ballistics
Tire groove
Tire rib
Tire track
Tread pattern / Students will ...
●Analyze bullets using a microscope.
●Determine trajectory of bullet
●Incorporate Laws of Motion to analyze distance and direction of bullet
●View and analyze rifling
●Define key terms
●Learn about firearm and impression evidence.
●Compare bullets and cartridge cases.
●Learn about gunpowder residues and primer residues which can be used as evidence to link a suspect to a crime.
●Will discuss serial number restoration and tool marks.
●Learn about the automated firearm search system.
Days 7/180
Chapter 15 / Lecture
Case study
Lab – Bullet trajectory lab
Web resources
Posttest / How can bullets be analyzed?
Are any two bullets the same?
Can forensic science use ballistics to correctly identify a perpetrator?
Can ballistics be used as the only source of evidence?
How valuable is ballistics in determining innocence or guilt?
Unit / Essential Standards / Vocabulary / Detailed Objectives (Time Allotment) / Assessment/
Implementation / Essential Questions
Computer Forensics / How does the computer work?
Storing and retrieving data
Processing an electronic crime scene
Analysis of electronic data / Wi-fi
URL
Router
Modem
Internet cache
Hypertext
Hacking
Firewall
Download
Domain
Cookies
Browser
Broadband / Student will…
●Demonstrate foundational knowledge and skills in forensics.
●Describe information security and its critical role in business.
●Describe what drives the need for information security.
●Describe the need for risk management.
●Identify and assess risks.
●Write procedures for assessing and controlling risks
●Describe various security technologies and types of physical security and how both are used in business.
●Discuss the process of implementing security in business including identifying and describing forms of personnel security.
●Describe the steps involved in information security maintenance including how external influences, such as legislative requirements, affect business.
Days 7/180
Chapter 18 / Lecture
Webquest
Article describing use of computer forensics - covering both viewpoints of a forensic scientist and a hacker
Digital paper trail activity
Posttest / What is computer forensics?
What are the essential pieces of evidence that forensic scientists look for when using computer forensics in a case?
How can hacking be prevented?
What are some key security essentials that everyone must know to protect their private information?
What population is most affected by hacking and security breaches?
Breaking codes and Cyphers / Code vs. Cyphers
Shift Cyphers
Cesar Cyphers
Vigenere Cypers / Encryption
Code
Cypher / Students will….
●Identify various forms of calligraphy and cyphers
●Analyze computer samples from the FBI to break codes
●Describe use of cryptanalytics in forensic science
Days 3/180
Chapter 17; Khan Academy will also be used / Code vs cypher analysis worksheet
FBI Analytics web resource
Posttest / How are codes and cyphers solved in forensic science?
What population of perpetrators most commonly use encrypted messages?
How has terrorism increased the importance of cracking codes?
Unit / Essential Standards / Vocabulary / Detailed Objectives (Time Allotment) / Assessment/
Implementation / Essential Questions
Behavioral Analysis / Profiling serial murderers
Human psychology
Triggers of aggression / None / Students will…
●Evaluate how mental retardation relates to the death penalty.
●Recognize the importance of the cases of Atkins v. Virginia and Spyder Cystkopf.
●Apply evidence-based analysis in cases with a forensic psychology aspect.
●Realize how to maximize impact through convergent validation.
●Discover similar behaviors found in serial killers
●Determine if profiling is accurate to help solve cold cases
Days 10/180
Baron’s Psychology
Behavioral Analysis Unit - FBI / Analysis of JonBenet Ramsey Case
“Cereal” box presentations
Web Research of 4-6 most notorious serial killers
Posttest / What impact does mental retardation play in the criminal justice system?
What are common behaviors seen in serial killers?
How is human psychology implicated in forensic science investigations?
Pollen and Spore Examination / Collection of pollen and spore evidence from a crime scene / Pollen
Spore / Students will...
●Understand the importance of tracing the pollen to its origin
●Distinguish between pollen and spores
●Explain the concept of a Pollen “fingerprint”
●Identify some organisms that produce pollen and spores.
●Describe characteristics of pollen and spores that are important in forensic studies.
●Collection of evidence at the crime scene.
●Analysis and evaluation of pollen and spore samples.
Days 5/180
Chapter 11 / Case studies
Analyze pollen samples
Lab results -using pollen to solve a crime
Posttest / How can pollen and spores be used as evidence?
What are the best methods for collection of pollen and spores?
Can pollen or spores be used to identify if a person is guilty or just a person’s location?
Soil Examination / Collection of soil samples
Use of soil sample to link a person to a crime scene
Analysis of soil samples to distinguish type / None / Students will...
●Recognize various types of soil and methods for examining soil samples.
●Identify the differences between soils samples by size, color and composition.
●Perform soil analysis. Link soil evidence to crime scene.
●List the important forensic properties of soil
●Describe the proper collection of soil evidence
Days 5/180
Chapter 11 / Soil Analysis pH
Microscopic examination of soil samples
Chemical analysis of soil samples
Case studies
Posttest / Where does a soil sample belong?
What type of microscope is needed?
Can a soil sample be used to identify if a person is guilty or just location?
Glass Evidence / Glass formation