Passaic County Community College

SC 109, Introduction to Forensic Science

master SYLLABUS 2010-2011

I. Course Code: SC 109

II. Course Title: Introduction to Forensic Science

III. Prerequisites None

IV. Number of Credits: 4

3 credits lecture, 1 credit laboratory

V. Lecture instructor:

Office Phone:

E-mail Address:

Laboratory instructor and coordinator: Kala Mayur

Office Phone:

E-mail Address:

VI. Course Description:

Forensic Science is the study and application of science to the processes of law and involves the collection, examination, evaluation and interpretation of evidence. This course introduces the field of forensic science through an exploration of its applications to criminal investigation. This field encompasses many scientific areas, which, if used properly, can make invaluable contributions to the resolution of social and legal disputes. The course will review the basic applications of the biological, physical, chemical, medical and behavioral sciences to questions of evidence. In doing so, a basic understanding of the capabilities and limitations of the forensic sciences as they are presently practiced will be gained. No background in natural sciences is presumed.

VII. Student Learning Outcomes:

By the end of the semester, students are able to:

Ø  Describe the services of a typical crime laboratory.

Ø  Explain the different approaches used to decide the admissibility of scientific evidence and the role of an expert witness.

Ø  Define physical properties of glass, soil.

Ø  Describe the structure of hair and the distinguishing characteristics of animal and human hair.

Ø  Describe forensic serology and the determination of blood type.

Ø  Describe the use of blood splatter analysis in crime reconstruction.

Ø  Examine the structure of DNA and the methods available for DNA fingerprinting and analysis.

Ø  Describe the major fingerprint patterns, the methods of developing latent fingerprints, and matching fingerprints.

Ø  Describe firearm types, the classification and characteristics of bullets, examination of cartridge cases and gunpowder residue.

Ø  Describe the techniques that forensic toxicologists use for isolating and identifying drugs and poisons.

Ø  Explain the forensic aspects of arson and explosion investigations.

Ø  Describe the usefulness of trace elements for forensic comparison and identification of physical evidence.

VIII.  Course Outline:

This course will be conducted in accordance with the following outline with allowance given to time constraints, emerging class interests, and current events.

Lecture Schedule

Lecture Topic / Chapter
Introduction / 1
The Crime Scene / 2
Physical Evidence / 3
Physical Properties: Glass and Soil / 4
Organic Analysis / 5
Inorganic analysis / 6
Hairs, Fibers, Paint / 8
Mid-Term Examination
Forensic Toxicology / 10
Forensic Aspects of Arson & Explosion Investigations / 11
Forensic Serology / 12
DNA: The Indispensable Forensic Science Tool / 13
Fingerprints / 14
Firearms, Tool Marks and Other Impressions / 15

Lab Schedule

Lab Topics / Experiment
Metric System
Practice in Making Laboratory Measurements / Ex. 1
Ex. 2
Density of Glass Fragments / Ex. 3
Practice in the use of the Microscope
Examination of Hair and Textile Fibers by Microscopy / Ex. 4
Ex. 17
Analysis of Ink by Paper Chromotography
Separation of Lipstick dyes by TLC / Ex. 28
Ex. 29
Fingerprinting / Ex. 11
Soil Analysis / Ex. 7
LAB MIDTERM
Blood Identification and Typing / Ex. 9
Determination of Blood Spatter Angles of Impact
Determining origin of Blood Spatters / Ex. 36
Ex. 37
DNA Isolation
DNA Fingerprinting I / Ex. 39
Ex. 40
DNA Evidence
Mock Crime Scene Lab
Unknowns
LAB FINAL

IX. Text(s), Journals, and Other Materials Used in the Course:

Required Text: Saferstein, Richard, Criminalistics: An Introduction to Forensic Science, Prentice-Hall.

Laboratory Text: Meloan, Clifton E.. James, Richard E and Saferstein, Richard Lab Manual for Criminalistics: An Introduction to Forensic Science, Prentice-Hall.

X. Methods of Evaluation:

Lecture Midterm Exam 30%

Lecture Final Exam 30%

Laboratory Midterm 15%

Laboratory Final 15%

Class Participation 10%

TOTAL 100%

Grade Scale

above 92 - A 87 to 89 - B+ 77 to 79 - C+ 60 to 69 - D

90 to 92 - A- 83 to 86 - B 70 to 76 - C below 60 - F

80 to 82 - B-

XI. Additional Course Information:

a)  Lecture attendance policy: students are expected to attend classes regularly and on time. Long term or frequent absences from lecture lead to poor performance in tests requiring withdrawal from course. Please be reminded - students are required to remain in class for the entire session.

b) Lab attendance policy: lab is an important component of this

course. Students are expected to attend all labs regularly and

on time. Habitual lateness/ absences will not be tolerated.

c) Successful students: are regular, on time, attentive and

communicate with instructor regarding difficulties.

d)  Withdrawal policy: withdrawal from this course will require completion of appropriate paperwork. Noncompliance will result in an ‘F’ grade for this course.

e)  Eating/Drinking policy: no eating or drinking will be allowed in either lecture or laboratory classrooms.

f)  Cell Phone Usage: please turn off your cell phones or do not bring them to class. Absolutely no cell phone usage while class is in session.

g)  Children: will not be permitted in lecture or lab sessions for any reason.

h)  Cheating: Any student caught cheating during a test will get an automatic zero for the test.

XII. Students With Disabilities:

If you have a disability and believe you need accommodations in the classroom, please see your counselor, the Coordinator of Tutorial and Special Need Services, or contact the secretary in the Counseling Department at ext. 5568. If you require testing accommodation, you must notify me one week in advance of the test.