Forensic Science Course Outline

IroquoisHigh School

2012 - 2013Academic Year

Instructor: Miss Ferguson

Contact Information:

Phone (Work): 652-3000 ext. 7119

Email:

Course Summary

Forensic science is the application of basic biological, chemical and physical science principles and technological practices to the purposes of justice in the study of criminal and civil issues. Major themes of study in this course are pathology, anthropology, odontology, ballistics, trace evidence, biological fluids, DNA, fingerprints, impression evidence, questioned documents and forensic psychiatry/psychology.

The class is student, and inquiry centered with a primary focus on laboratory investigations and writing. Assessment will be both formative and summative, and not all formative assessment willbe graded. Successful completion of a unit will be based on the demonstration of mastery of the

standard. Student opportunities to re-do assignments and/or assessments will be dealt with on an

individual basis. Consistent, daily attendance and preparation is crucial to success in this course.

Necessary Daily Course Materials

3 Ring Binder

Dividers

Folder

Pens and pencils

Major Themes/Topics

SectionI. Introduction

1. Introduction to the Forensic Sciences

History and Development of Forensic Science

Deductive Reasoning
Organization of a Crime Laboratory

Services of the Crime Laboratory

Functions of the Forensic Scientist

Other Forensic Science Services

2. The Crime Scene

Legal Considerations at the Crime Scene

Securing and Recording the Crime Scene

Evidence Collection Techniques

Chain of Custody

Crime Scene Photography: Proper Documentation of a Crime Scene

Photographic Evidence and Log Recording – Mock Crime Scene Photography

Forensic Archaeology and Buried Remains Recovery

3. Criminal Justice

Aspects of the Justice System

Aspects of Trials

Section II. Biological Evidence

1. Identifying Human Remains

Identifying the Body: Human or Nonhuman?

Skin Coloration

Defensive Wounds and Other Visible Marks

Postmortem Lividity

Rigor Mortis

Processes of Decay

Bodies Underwater

2. The Medical Examiner and the Autopsy

The Autopsy in History

Defining the Parameters of the Autopsy

Reviewing Autopsy Reports

3. Forensic Anthropology

Introduction to Forensic Anthropology

Human Bone vs. Animal Bone

Skeletal Comparison of Human Males & Females

Ancestry from Skeletal Remains

Determining Types of Trauma from Skeletal Remains

Forensic Odontology

4. Forensic Entomology

Introduction to Forensic Entomology

5. Hair, Fiber and Botanical Remains

Identification and Comparison of Hair

Collection and Preservation of Hair Evidence

Types of Fibers

Identification and Comparison of Manufactured Fibers

Collection and Preservation of Fiber Evidence

Botanical Remains: Pollen, Seeds, and Other Remains

6. Organic Materials Analysis

Selecting an Analytical Technique

Chromatography

Spectrophotometry

Mass Spectrometry

7. Forensic Toxicology

Toxicology of Alcohol

The Role of the Toxicologist

Techniques Used in Toxicology

The Significance of Toxicological Findings

The Drug Recognition Expert

8. Forensic Serology

The Nature of Blood

Immunoassay Techniques

Forensic Characterization of Bloodstains

Stain Patterns of Blood

Principles of Heredity

Forensic Characterization of Semen

Collection of Rape Evidence

9. DNA: The Indispensable Forensic Science Tool

Recombinant DNA: Cutting and Splicing DNA

DNA Typing

Mitochondrial DNA

The Combined DNA Index System (CODIS)

10. Fingerprints

Fundamental Principles of Fingerprints

Classification of Fingerprints

Automated Fingerprint Identification Systems

Preservation of Developed Prints

Digital Imaging for Fingerprint Enhancement

11. Forensic Psychology

Mental Deviance

Criminal Profiling

Polygraph Analysis

Section III. Physical Evidence

1. Physical Evidence

The Significance of Physical Evidence

Forensic Databases

Crime Scene Reconstruction

2. Physical Properties: Glass and Soil

Physical Properties

Comparing Glass Fragments

Glass Fractures

Collection and Preservation of Glass Evidence

Forensic Characteristics of Soil

Collection and Preservation of Soil Evidence

3. Firearm and Ballistic Evidence

Determining Caliber & Gun Type from Bullets & Shell Casings

Determining Weapons Firing from Gunshot Residue

4. Inorganic Materials Analysis

Evidence in the Assassination of President Kennedy

The Emission Spectrum of Elements

Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer

The Origin of Emission and Absorption Spectra

Neutron Activation Analysis

X-Ray Diffraction

5. Paint

Forensic Examination of Paint

Collection and Preservation of Paint Evidence

6. Drug Analysis

Narcotic Drugs

Hallucinogens

Depressants

Stimulants

Club Drugs

Anabolic Steroids

Drug-Control Laws

Drug Identification

Collection and Preservation of Drug Evidence

7. Forensic Aspects of Arson and Explosion Investigations

Searching the Fire Scene

Collection and Preservation of Arson Evidence

Analysis of Flammable Residues

Types of Explosives

Collection and Analysis of Explosives

8. Firearms, Tool Marks, and Other Impressions

Cartridge Cases

Automated Firearms Search Systems

Gunpowder Residues

Primer Residues on the Hands

Serial Number Restoration

Collection and Preservation of Firearms Evidence

Tool Marks

Other Impressions

9. Document and Voice Examination

Collection of Handwriting Exemplars

Typescript Comparisons

Inks and Papers

Photocopier, Printer, and Fax Examination

Alterations, Erasures, and Obliterations

Other Document Problems

Voice Examination

10. Computer Forensics

From Input to Output: How Does the Computer Work?

Putting It All Together

How Data Is Stored

Processing the Electronic Crime Scene

Evidentiary Data

Grading

Grades will be broken down into the following areas. Each area will comprise a percentage of your final grade.

Tests – 20%

Quizzes – 15%

Homework Assignments/ – 20%

Lab Activities – 30%

Projects (1 per quarter minimum) – 15%

Additional Student Expectations

1. You are responsible for getting the notes for any time you miss due to absence(s). These notes are available from the instructoror other students.

2. If you are absent on the day of a quiz or test, you have the amount of time equivalent to your absence to complete any evaluation. If you miss school on only the day a quiz or a test is given, you will be expected to complete it when you return to class. If you fail to complete it at this time, your grade will become a zero for that evaluation.

3. I reserve the right to inspect your notebooks at any time for evaluation. I may grade some or all of the notebooks at any time. I EXPECT YOU TO MAINTAIN SEPARATE NOTEBOOK(S) THAT ICAN COLLECT AT ANY TIME.

4.I expect all students to participate in all laboratory activities.
5. At all times, I expect your work to be your own. Work that is copied from another source or with help that is prohibited will receive no credit for that assignment.
6. If you know you are going to be out of school for an extended period,please arrange with me at least two weeks in advance means to obtain the work you will be missing.
7.Under no circumstances will late homework papers be accepted unless your special circumstances are discussed with me before the paper is due. Students will NOT be allowed to leave class to retrieve homework from their lockers.

8.I expect you to have required texts and materials present in any class or lab.

9. Follow the 5 B’s that are posted in the room.

Be Prepared

Be Prompt

Be Polite

Be Honest

Be Quiet

Homework Policy

1.) Make-ups of undone or incomplete homework will not be allowed except for extenuating circumstances in the opinion of the instructor only.

2.) Assignments will be given to the class either by a posting in the room or on an assignment sheet at the start of each week. All assignments can also be found online on my webpage.

Classroom Consequences

(5 general consequences, in sequential order to follow)

1. Warning (up to two or three warnings)

i.if signed behavior contracts, review proper behavior

ii.verbal, talk to student privately (during class or after)

iii.written, discuss it with the student and both sign copies of warning

iv. if involves many students, a discussion center, work out problem

2. Time Out / Silent Time

i.detention time, before or after school

3. Loss of an Ability/Responsibility

i.lose center time/activity

ii.lose recess, sit with teacher

iii.clean up – classroom, after- school

4. Written Assignment – how you would correct problem/situation/behavior, so that it will not occur again

i.do at home, as homework

5. Contact Counselor, Principal, or Parent

i. review child’s folder, discipline problems, research a way to help

ii. send to counselor if situation calls for this type of intervention

iii. send note/email home

iv. call parent

v. send to principal to cool off and discuss problems/solutions, to enforce

appropriate punishment as I.C.E. or referral to alternative school

vi.have parent-student-teacher conference – include all parties involved, but only at appropriate times, if needed, have student visit another teacher for a moment

PARENTS: PLEASE READ COURSE OUTLINE AND LAB REQUIREMENTS WITH STUDENTS AND RETURN WITH SIGNATURE.

Please sign below and return

I, ______(student) and ______(parent/guardian) am aware of and have read the course description, evaluation policy (on the course outline), extra credit policy, homework policy, and lab requirements for Miss Ferguson’s Science class for the year 2012- 2013.

Signature (student) ______Date ______

Signature (parent) ______Date ______

1