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 ______
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