THE UNIVERSITY OF FINDLAY College of Liberal Arts: Department of Social, Behavioral, and Justice Sciences Fall 2014

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1 THE UNIVERSITY OF FINDLAY College of Liberal Arts: Department of Social, Behavioral, and Justice Sciences Fall 2014 The mission of The University of Findlay is to equip our students for meaningful lives and productive careers. FORS Lecture: T, R 9:30 A.M. 10:45 A.M. (3 Credits) Laboratory: T 11:00 A.M. 1:50 P.M. (1 Credit) Instructor: Jaymelee Kim, Ph.D. Office: 206 B Howard Street (Office Hours may occur in 1103 Davis Street) Office Hours: W 2:00 3:00 P.M. R 1:00 4:00 P.M. By appointment kim@findlay.edu, jaymelee.kim@gmail.com Phone: PREREQUISITES ENGL 106 or 107 and CJAD 101 OR Permission of the Instructor COURSE DESCRIPTION This course covers basic theories of physical evidence processing, including, but not limited to: identification, collection, chain custody, fingerprints, trace materials, toxicology, blood, semen, photography, and DNA. Fundamental and advanced techniques of forensic science and the role of forensic science within the criminal justice system are addressed. The connection between the forensic laboratory, the prosecution, and the criminal investigator will be explored in depth. Special attention will be paid to the relationships between precedent-setting court cases (e.g. Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals, Kumho Tire Co. v. Carmichael) and research in the forensic sciences. Admissibility of evidence and expert testimony will be discussed in relation to a variety of forensic specializations. REQUIRED TEXT James, S.H., Jon J. Nordby, and Suzanne Bell, eds. (2014) Forensic Science: An Introduction to Scientific and Investigative Techniques, Fourth Edition. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press Taylor & Francis Group. Additional readings may be posted on Blackboard or in online journals. COURSE OBJECTIVES Upon completion of this course, students will: understand the scope of forensic science; be familiar with crime scene and evidence collection protocols; know the types of forensic evidence and how to collect it; know why chemical and physical properties of evidence are important; understand the collection, examination, and use of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) to identify criminal offenders; know how to recover, examine, and process fingerprints; and demonstrate appropriate writing and presentation skills. Furthermore, students will have an understanding of the influence of the legal system on forensic science development and vice versa. INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGIES Instructional strategies include laboratory analysis, archival research, reading, lecture, and discussion. METHODS OF ASSESSMENT Late assignments will lose 10% for each day they are late. Any assignments submitted digitally should still have a formal heading with name, date, course name/number, etc. If the assignment is multiple pages, they should be labeled with last names and page numbers (e.g. Kim 1 of 2). Exams Kim - 1 of 5

2 There will be four exams throughout the semester that are each worth 100 points. The lowest exam score will be dropped, and the second-lowest score will be replace it. Final Exam There will be a cumulative final exam that is worth 150 points. If you are unable to attend the final exam, you must contact the instructor at least two weeks in advance and take the final prior to the exam date. Pop Quiz Assignments There are points built into the syllabus to be used for impromptu assignments and/or quizzes. If these are writing assignments, then they need to be completed in APA format. Research Paper Students are required to write an argumentative/persuasive research paper that is pages in length (excluding the cover page, tables, appendices, or references) and worth 200 points. The paper must be submitted in Times New Roman font, double-spaced, with 1 margins. There should not be any extra spaces after paragraphs. The citations should be in APA style. Points will be deducted if formatting directions are not followed. A minimum of fifteen references are required, and at least ten of them must be peer reviewed. All papers are to be submitted as a hard copy on their due date and a digital copy ed to the instructor. Late papers will receive a full letter grade deduction for each day that they are late. GRADES Exams In class (100 x 4) 400 points Final Exam 150 points Pop Quiz Assignments 100 points Research Paper Abstract 20 points Outline 20 points Articles 20 points Introduction 40 points Final Draft 200 points TOTAL 950 points COURSE SPECIFICE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES Cellular phones and photography are prohibited. Computers may only be used with permission of the instructor. Recording is prohibited without the permission of the instructor. Respect is of the utmost importance. s are expected to be written in a professional manner. The subject line should read: FORS Last Name Topic There should be proper salutations, grammar, and punctuation. Citation style for written assignments should be in APA format. UNIVERSITY-WIDE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES Grading Scale A A B B B C C C D D D F Kim - 2 of 5

3 University Honor Code Each and every student of the University will adhere to the following Honor Code: I will not knowingly engage in any dishonorable behavior, cheat, steal, lie, or commit any act of plagiarism during any academic work, course, or endeavor. If I observe an act which I believe violates the University s Honor Code, I may, at my discretion, report it to the appropriate personnel. Student Acknowledgement of University Honor Code I acknowledge that I have fully complied or will comply with all aspects of the University s Honor Code in submitting work. Student Rights and Responsibilities Statement, Article VII-Academic Integrity Special Services If you are a student with a disability, it is your responsibility to inform your instructor and register with the Office of Disability Services (ods@findlay.edu) at least one week prior to a needed service so reasonable accommodations can be made. Last Date of Attendance Policy Last Date of Attendance (LDA) Policy: A student's last date of attendance (LDA) is the date he/she was last present in class and/or completed a course assignment. This policy was enacted to document a particular date at which a student stopped attending or participating in a class. This date is determined by the instructor of the class. If a student fails to attend classes or complete assigned course work it is their responsibility to withdraw from the course. If the student does not withdraw from the course and is absent for a specified period of time, an instructor may choose to notify the student and/or the VPAA of the continued absence or lack of completion of academic course assignments. This is important because those students on financial aid are getting remuneration or attending classes if they are not they should reimburse the institution according to the number of days between the LDA and their withdrawal from the course. If the student attends all classes yet fails the course, the official last date of the class, as determined by the institution, will be used for reporting purposes. In this course the date of the final exam. Specifically, failure to attend three consecutive classes during the semester will invoke the LDA policy and the date of the third absence will be used by the institution for reporting purposes. Course and Instructor Evaluation Each student is expected to complete the course and instructor evaluation which is sent electronically to the student by the Office of the Registrar. The electronic notification comes in the form of an from the UF Registrar s Office with the following subject line: Online survey for the designated course (e.g. FORS 201). The Instructor reserves the right to alter, amend, or deviate from the syllabus at any time. Kim - 3 of 5

4 Week Date Discussion Topic Reading Assignment Written Assignment Laboratory DUE DUE 1 06 January Writing, Research, Resources Introduction to Writing 08 January Justice, Science, and the Ch. 1 & 2 Reports 2 13 January Justice, Science, and the Bohan and Heels 1995 Grivas and Komar Kim - 4 of 5 Measurement, Error, and Class Characteristics January Justice, Science, and the Hiss et al Bird January Crime Scene Investigation Ch. 3 Crime Scene 22 January Forensic Pathology Ch. 5 Research Paper Documentation, & Abstract Mapping (MSWord) 4 27 January Exam 1 Collection 29 January Forensic Odontology Glass Forensic Radiology Brogdon et al. Forensic Anthropology 5 Forensic Anthropology & Ch. 6 / Stereomicroscope / Archaeology Saliva Test? 6 10 Forensic Taphonomy Haglund & Sorg 2009 Research Paper: Soil Analysis / Outline & Bibliography 12 Forensic Entomology Ch Ethics Rogers 2004 Exam 1 19 EXAM Blood Spatter Identification of Blood and Ch.4 Ch. 8 Journal Articles Bloodstain Pattern Analysis / Determine area of origin / Body Fluids Presumptive Blood 9 3 March SPRING BREAK NO LAB SPRING 5 March SPRING BREAK BREAK March DNA Typing Ch. 9

5 12 March Forensic Toxicology Ch. 10 Narcotics Testing / DNA extraction March Seized Drug Analysis Ch. 11 Research Paper: Introduction Fingerprint Analysis / ALS / Henry System 19 March Fingerprints Ch March EXAM 3 Trace / ALS 26 March Trace Ch. 16 Online Assignment / Slide Prep / Light Microscope March Firearms and Tool Marks Ch. 14 Tread Impressions / 2 April Tread Impressions Ch. 15 Toolmarks / Photography 14 7 April Questioned Documents Ch. 17 Document Analysis / 9 April Arson, Fire, and Explosives Ch. 12 Research Paper: Final Handwriting Analysis / Ink Separation w/tlc April Motor Vehicle Accidents Nordby and Bell 2009 Case Study (Ch. 25) 16 April Forensic Psychology Nordby and Bell 2009 (Ch. 30 & 31) April EXAM 4 Exam 2 23 April Review Final Exam Kim - 5 of 5