FORENSIC SCIENCE I - COURSE SYLLABUS
Instructor: Mr. John Giacobbe,
MA, BS, RPA
Contacts: voice: 602-243-0600 webpage: http://www.nakedscience.org/mrg
school email: john.giacobbe@southpointehs.com
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Success in Class is
Based on the Following: |
Grading Scale: |
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Ø
Daily & Homework Assignments (20%) |
o
A = 90 – 100% |
|
Ø
Lab Work (40%) |
o
B = 80 – 89%
|
|
Ø
Unit Tests & Block Exams (20%) |
o
C = 70 – 79% |
|
Ø
Research Proposals & Projects (10%) |
o
D = 60 – 69% (Failing – No Credit) |
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Ø
Exhibit Scientific Inquiry Skills (10%) |
o
F = 59% and below (Failing
– No Credit) |
Course Goals and
Objectives: By the end of the course each student will be familiar with:
• the history of the forensic
sciences and its place in popular culture
• the roles of different types of professionals
involved in evaluating a crime scene and the collected evidence
• the methodology of collecting
& interpreting data, avoiding contamination, and preservation of chain of
custody
• the lab skills and field analysis
techniques used in the modern forensic sciences
Note Taking: To pass this course you will
need to learn how to take notes. This should include a 3-ring binder to record
your science journals, lab illustrations, handouts, lab notes, daily lecture
notes, and anything else you think might be important. I suggest that you KEEP
EVERYTHING! All assessments are based on notes taken during class.
Assessments may come at any time,
so you must always come to class prepared.
Late
Work:
Unacceptable at this stage. One day means a “B”, two
days a “C,” three days an “F”
Progress
Reports: Progress reports are given out every week. Every second week they must be returned signed. If you do not
receive a progress report, you can always email or ask me for a copy, or print
them from PowerSchool.
Labs: We will complete many labs over the course of this class. Labs are a
vital part of learning science and developing thinking skills. Participation in
labs is required by all students, and is a huge part of your grade.
Labs cannot be redone or made-up, and the only make-up
option is to write a four page essay, on a topic I assign.
Research
Paper or Presentation: As part of this class, you
will create a research project or compose a research paper focusing on one branch
of forensic science. It may be a field we’ve covered, or another that’s of
interest to you. You should explain what the field involves, how it’s useful in
forensic investigations, and illustrate its use by summarizing at least two
case studies. If you’re completing a presentation, you will prepare a poster
board of your topic and present it to the class. We’ll talk about this
assignment later in the year.
Professional
Attitude: To start off, you must approach this class like a professional student.
That means taking personal responsibility for your work and your grade. For
example, come to me for missed work; do not expect me to come running after
you!
Use
Your Resources:
Your syllabus is a detailed guide to your
coursework. Keep it and refer to it regularly. The web page will have copies of
all our notes, and most of our assignments, readings, etc. In addition, extra
credit, links to additional materials (like those you will have to use in your
Project/Paper), and other resources will be on the web.
Classroom Procedures: You know this stuff.
Honesty: Don’t cheat and don’t
plagiarize. Truly dreadful things will happen to you if you do.
Cell Phones, IPods, etc.: Not unless you are
given permission. NEVER let me see one during my lectures and note taking.
Seriously, don’t.
Respect: Everything else comes
under the heading of respect, so show it to both your teacher and fellow
students.
Classroom
Consequences:
1st Offense – Verbal
Warning – Stop Doing That!
2nd Offense – Loss of
Participation Points for the Day and a Phone Call Home –I’m sorry to inform you that your lovely child isn’t so lovely
3rd Offense – Visit
with the Dean, Loss of Privileges, Suspension, and/or Dismemberment
Forensic
Science Course Outline
(Sections
are Subject Area Divisions, Not Necessarily In Sequence)
Section I.
Introduction
1. Introduction to
the Forensic Sciences
History
and Development of Forensic Science
Deductive
Reasoning
Organization of a Crime
Laboratory
Case Studies: The Enrique Camarena Case:
A Forensic Nightmare
2.
Observational Skills
What is
Observation?
Sherlock Holmes
and Deductive Reasoning
Observations by
Witnesses
Case Studies: Carlo Ferrier (1831)
Forensics in Fiction: Sherlock Holmes – The
Abbey Grange
3. The
Crime Scene
Locard’s Exchange
Principle
Securing and
Recording the Crime Scene
Legal
Considerations at the Crime Scene
Evidence
Collection and Recordation Techniques
Case Studies: Ted Bundy and Wayne
Williams
Mock Crime Scene: Processing and
Documenting a Crime Scene
4. Hair,
Fiber and Botanical Remains
Structure and
Function of Hair
Collection and
Preservation of Hair Evidence
Identification
and Comparison of Hair
Types and
Morphology of Fibers
Identification
and Comparison of Natural and Manufactured Fibers
Case Studies: Napoleon Bonaparte (1821):
Poison, Poison Everywhere
5.
Forensic Use of the Microscope
The Compound,
Comparison, and Stereoscopic Microscope
The Scanning
Electron Microscope (SEM)
6. Pollen
and Spore Evidence
What is Pollen?
What is Spore?
The Use of Pollen
and Spore Evidence
Case Studies: Dr. Max Frei and Dr. Tony
Brown
7.
Fingerprints
Fundamental
Principles of Fingerprint Analysis
Classification of
Fingerprints
Collection of
Fingerprint Evidence
Automated
Fingerprint Identification Systems (AFIS)
Case Studies: Pedro Ramón Velásquez and
Stephen Cowans
8.
Forensic Anthropology
Introduction to
Forensic Anthropology
Human Anatomy –
The Skeletal System
Skeletal Determination
of Demographic Data from Skeletal Remains
Determining Types
of Trauma and Disease from Skeletal Remains
Case Studies: Unnatural Nature, by Dr.
William Maples
9. Handwriting
Analysis, Forgery, and Counterfeiting
Characteristics
of Handwriting
Collection of
Handwriting Exemplars and Forgery Analysis
Chromatography: Inks
and Papers
Counterfeiting
Currency
Photocopier,
Printer, and Fax Examination
10.
Forensic Taphonomy and Decomposition
Manner, Cause,
and Mechanisms of Death
Autochthonous and
Allochtonous Changes
Perimortem and Postmortem
Interval
Changes to the
Body after Death: Rigor/Livor/Algor Mortis and Other Decompositions
Forensic
Entomology
11. Soil Evidence
Forensic
Characteristics of Soil
Collection and Analysis
of Soil Evidence
12. Glass
Evidence
Physical
Properties of Glass and Glass Fragments
Collection and
Preservation of Glass Evidence
Analysis of Glass
Fracture Patterns
13. Casts
and Impressions
Types of
Impressions
Latent Impression
Evidence
Footprints, Tire
Tracks, and Bite Marks
14. DNA:
The Indispensable Forensic Science Tool
DNA: Basic
Structure and Function
DNA Fingerprinting
and Profiling
The Combined DNA
Index System (CODIS)
15. Forensic
Toxicology
The Role of the
Toxicologist
Techniques Used
in Toxicology
The Significance
of Toxicological Findings
16.
Forensic Serology
The Nature of
Blood
Forensic
Characterization of Bloodstains
Principles of
Heredity
17. Tool
Marks and Other Impressions
Cartridge Cases
and Gunpowder Residues
Collection and
Preservation of Firearms Evidence
Tool Marks and Other Impressions
18.
Firearm and Ballistic Evidence
Determining
Caliber & Gun Type from Bullets & Shell Casings
Determining
Weapons Firing from Gunshot Residue
19.
Criminal Justice
Aspects of the
Justice System
Aspects of Trials
20.
Computer Forensics
From Input to
Output: How Does the Computer Work?
How Data Is
Stored
Processing the
Electronic Crime Scene
Evidentiary Data
Mr. G’s Science Department Web World
Web
Page: http://www.nakedscience.org/mrg/index.html
Blog: http://nakedscience.org/
Email: John.Giacobbe@leonagroup.com
I have a significant web
presence that you should take advantage of. This includes: a web page with
class notes, assignments, and old exams; a Science Blog, with extra credit
assignments and interesting links posted every week; and an email newsletter,
outlining what we are doing in each class each week and detailing upcoming
labs, activities, and field trips.
Please
send me an email address so I can add you to the list!
Thanks,
John
Giacobbe
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Students- please DO
NOT fill out this section for your parent/guardian/caregiver. Dear Parent/Guardian/Caregiver, Hello and welcome to Forensic Science class at South Pointe High
School! My name is John Giacobbe and I am very excited about working
with you and your student. I know we will have a successful and productive block.
DISCLAIMER: Due to the nature of the class, graphic, revealing, and
sometimes violent information, pictures, and video will be viewed and
discussed in class. This will mostly
be in the form of small news, movie, or TV clips that depict crime scenes,
but also in presentations by guest speakers.
Students may excuse themselves from the classroom if at any point they
feel uncomfortable. Please note,
however, that each student is still responsible for the content talked about
during class. I
look forward to an interesting and rewarding semester. Please take a moment
to provide the requested information below: Your
Name(s):______________________________________________________________ Phone______________________________
Home, Work, Cell? Best
times:___________________________ Phone______________________________
Home, Work, Cell? Best
times:___________________________ Email______________________________________________________ What would you like
me to know about your child? |
Science Safety
Agreement
Scientists know they must work safely
when doing experiments. As a student scientist, you need to be careful when
doing science activities, too. Please review the following safety rules with
your parents/guardians and have both sign the safety agreement. Return the form
by the end of the first week of class so that you can start experiencing the
exciting hands-on activities we have planned.
v Safety apparel
(goggles and aprons) will be worn for as long as you are in the lab when
specified by the instructor.
v When alcohol or other
burners are being used by anyone in the lab, long hair will be tied back. Long
hanging necklaces, heavy jewelry, and bulky jackets and sweaters should be
removed. Keep burners toward the middle of the lab tables. Use tongs and/or
protective gloves to handle hot objects. Never reach across an open flame or
burner. Hot glass looks just like cold glass!
v There will be no gum,
no eating or drinking of any kind in the lab. Yucky stuff goes on in there!
v Never taste chemicals/specimens
or smell them directly. Avoid touching chemicals as much as possible.
v Activities will be
done only as instructed with the specified amounts of materials.
v Proper procedures for
handling all equipment and any additional safety precautions, which are
discussed for specific labs, will be followed.
v Never leave an
activity unattended unless instructed to do so.
v Horseplay or other
inappropriate behavior will not be tolerated. One incident and you’re out!
v Report all accidents
to the teacher immediately, no matter how minor.
v Do not remove any
materials or equipment from the lab without the teacher’s permission.
v After completing an
activity, all equipment should be put away and materials should be disposed of
as directed. Remember, the sinks are not trashcans. Before leaving the room,
each work area will be cleaned.
I
agree to follow the Science safety rules.
________________________________________
Student
Signature
I have read and discussed this safety
agreement with my child. I am aware that failure to follow these guidelines may
result in a failing grade for the activity and/or disciplinary action.
________________________________________
Acknowledgment
by Parents/Guardians of Safety Rules
My child has the following needs that
should be considered during some Science activities:
My child wears glasses: □Yes □No
My child is colorblind: □Yes □No
My child has allergies: □Yes □No
My child is allergic to:
_______________________________________________________________________________
My child has (other):
_______________________________________________________________________________