Assistant Professor Alecia C. Schmidt. Monday, Wednesday, and Friday: 7:30 9:00 AM Tuesday: 7:25-9:25 AM Thursday: 7:25 9:25 AM and 1:30-3:00 PM

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1 COURSE: Forensic Science NUMBER OF CREDIT HOURS: 3 PREREQUISITE: CJ100 Semester and year Fall 2013 Time and day M/W/F 9:00-9:50 Instructor schmidta@moval.edu Office phone (660) Home phone Office location Baity Hall, Room 210, Office 1 Office hours Assistant Professor Alecia C. Schmidt Monday, Wednesday, and Friday: 7:30 9:00 AM Tuesday: 7:25-9:25 AM Thursday: 7:25 9:25 AM and 1:30-3:00 PM COURSE DESCRIPTION An examination of techniques of the application of science to criminal law. Techniques covered via lecture and lab work includes, but is not limited to: physical properties, organic analysis, inorganic analysis, toxicology, serology, drugs, fingerprints, DNA, firearms, and document analysis. Prerequisite: CJ 100. Fall. STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES COURSE Upon successful completion of this course the student will: 1. Know the scope of forensic science as it applies to criminal justice 2. Understand the different approaches supported by the Frye and Daubert decisions to the admissibility of scientific evidence in the courtroom. 3. Understand the contributions the forensic pathologist, forensic anthropologist, and forensic entomologist can make to a death investigation 4. Explain the concept of infrared and fuel-cell breath-testing devices. 5. Understand other areas of forensic science that require expertise in a specialized area 6. To be able to define chain of custody and describe its elements STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES GENERAL EDUCATION N/A STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES DESE N/A ASSESSMENT OF STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES This 3-credit course requires three hours of classroom or direct faculty instruction and six hours of out-of-class student work each week for approximately 15 weeks. No college student is free from writing papers. There will be many writing assignments throughout your college years, such as reflections on current events, critical reviews of novels and scientific papers on recent experiments. There are Writing Tutors in the Learning Center if you require assistance. Quizzes (Outcomes 1, 2, 3, 6) Midterm Exam (Outcomes1, 3, 6) Final Exam (All outcomes) Assignments/Reflection writing (Outcomes 4, 5, 6)

2 Infrared and fuel-cell breath-testing devices Specialized areas of Forensic Science Chain of Custody Other reflection writing will be assigned as deemed necessary Research Paper (Outcome 1) OTHER INFORMATION* N/A REQUIRED TEXT/S Forensic Science: The Basics, Second Edition Published: March 8, 2010 by CRC Press Pages ISBN Author(s): Jay A. Siegel, Indiana University Purdue University, Indianapolis, USA; Kathy Mirakovits, Portage Northern High School, As forensic science continues to play a wider role in the investigation of crimes and apprehension of criminals, those without crime scene or crime lab training must now become familiar with the techniques and language of the forensic scientist. Avoiding the complicated science and graphic violence typical of most forensic references, this book is written specifically for those without forensic science experience. While it provides a professional reference for those not steeped in the details of forensic science, and its pedagogical approach make this an ideal textbook for introductory level courses. OPTIONAL COURSE MATERIALS. A Pocket Style Manual (6t h ed.) by Diana Hacker GRADING POLICY AND PROCEDURES QUIZZES: There will be a number of quizzes throughout the semester on the reading material and information provided during the lectures. They may or may not be after every chapter, some chapters may be combined however, students will know if multiple chapters are being tested. Worth 100 points each.

3 REFLECTIVE WRITING: Students will be assigned reflective writing assignments based on the reading materials and other materials provided on Moodle. All written assignments in this course are to be written using college level English. Use proper grammar, punctuation, free of spelling errors, and syntax mistakes. Points will be deducted for these types of errors; a rubric can be found on Moodle (the rubric will be converted into 100 point scale after grading). Worth 100 points each. RESEARCH PAPER: All students will write an original, (you cannot reuse a paper previously written for another class) 5 to 8 page paper (not counting analyzing any aspect of the examination of Forensic Science that is of extreme interest to you. Students will notify their Professor of their topic no later than August 31, Points will be deducted if you fail to meet this date. Worth 300 points. After students select a topic, they will suggest how to resolve an existing problem or make the system work better in order to enhance the criminal justice system. The paper will be typed, double-spaced, Times New Roman 12 pt. Papers are to be written in APA format and all parts of the paper should be included when submitted for the peer review. The rubric for grading is on Moodle, I suggest that you refer to the rubric as you write for maximum points. Minimum of 5 academic sources. Use the Missouri Valley Library website to find peer reviewed information or request necessary books as sources for your papers. Articles obtained from the internet are generally not peer reviewed and are not academic sources. (Wikipedia is never an acceptable research site and will not be used or accepted.) None academic sources will not be considered in the 5 required. All students will submit a draft of their term paper on September 25 th. All papers will be redistributed for the purposes of a peer review. Students will put their name on the paper they are given to peer review as they will be graded on how well they conduct the peer review. Students will use the Research Paper Rubric and the directions given in the syllabus while conducting their peer review both can be found on Moodle. Peer reviews will be completed and returned to me no later than October 4 th. I will grade the peer reviews and the papers will be returned for final changes. You will be advised of the final due date when the papers are returned. Final papers will be submitted via Turnitin and a hard copy will be provided to me in class. The class ID for Turnitin is and the password is forensics. Be certain to submit your final paper to Turnitin. DO NOT plagiarize, or submit another student s paper for credit. Turnitin is designed to catch this type of activity regardless of how many years ago the paper was submitted. Last term it caught a paper that was submitted over 8 years ago to another school. These papers are assigned as a means of assisting a student in learning both the subject matter as well as how to accomplish proper research and writing. Violations of the plagiarism policy will result in the student receiving a zero on the paper, test, quiz, assignment, project, etc. if it is the student s first offense. If it is a second offense of plagiarism by the student at Missouri Valley College, the student will receive an F in the class. If it is the student s third offense of plagiarism at Missouri Valley College, an automatic penalty of expulsion from Missouri Valley College will result. Note: These same penalties apply for academic dishonesty. Unexcused absense impact on grades: Five unexcused absences, maximum grade is a C Eight unexcused absences, maximum grade is a D Ten unexcused absences, maximum grade is an F Grades: A 90 to 100% B 80 to 89% C 70 to 79% D 60 to 69% F Below 60% {If any changes in grade evaluations are made during the semester, they will be discussed with the class}

4 TENTATIVE SCHEDULE All dates and topics are subject to change during the semester. Week. Dates. Topic. Assignment , 23 Introduction of professor and students. Syllabi Introduction to Forensic Science Pages 1 to , 30 Introduction to Forensic Science cont. Pages 1 to Convocation Research Paper Topic due , 06 Crime Scene Investigation Pages 30 to Labor Day, no classes , 13 Crime Scene Investigation cont. Pages 30 to 51 The Nature of Evidence. Pages 54 to , 20 Fingerprints and Other Impressions. Page 146 to , 27 Questioned Documents. Pages 178 to Research Paper Draft due for Peer Review , Firearms and Tool Marks. Pages 204 to Peer Reviews of Research Papers are due , 11 Forensic Pathology. Pages 234 to 251 Midterm , 18 Anthropology and Odontology. Pages 254 to , 25 Forensic Entomology. Pages 278 to 289 Serology. Pages 292 to , DNA Typing. Pages 320 to , 08 Hair. Pages 342 to , 15 Fibers, Paints, and Other Polymers. Pages 406 to Forensic Toxicology. Pages 440 to , 29 Forensic Science and the Law. Pages 482 to , 29 Thanksgiving Break, no classes Extensive review for final exam Finals Week FINAL EXAM December 6, 2013, Friday, 0800 All students will participate in the final exam regardless of grade.

5 OPTIONAL INSTRUCTOR POLICIES LATE WORK POLICY: Project planning, time management and contingency planning are essential in all professional activity, not just academic coursework. Issues with computers, internet, Moodle access, and personal/work related challenges are a normal part of life. Students must be prepared to respond rapidly to such unanticipated issues. Consequently all assignments submitted after established deadlines will receive zero points. Course Requirements: [obligation of student] 1) All students are required to read all assigned materials and complete all assignments before class meetings. Additionally, students are to bring their books and notebooks for lecture notes to each class. 2) All assignments, research papers and tests must be completed/turned in by the date and time they are due. You are to date stamp your own work and leave it with me prior to the end of class on the date due. Missed quizzes, tests, and assignments will not be accepted after the assigned deadline and will result in a zero for the grade, unless arrangements have been made with me prior to class. Ignorance of assignment due dates and technology failure is not an excuse if you weren t in class, check with a classmate. If your computer/printer are down use the resources on campus. 3) If you have made the necessary arrangements for a late quiz or exam or you are making up a missed quiz or exam due to a sanctioned Missouri Valley event, you will find it in the Learning Center the next week day. It is the student s responsibility to arrange a time to take the quiz or exam with the Learning Center personnel. You will have two days weekdays from the date of absence to make up the missed quiz or exam. If you have not taken it within two days, it will be removed from the Learning Center and you will receive a zero on that assignment. Make up quizzes may or may not be the same as the quiz given in class but will cover the same requirements. Example: the student is absent on Friday for a ball game. The quiz will be in the Learning Center on Monday. If not completed by end of day on Tuesday, it will be removed and the student will receive a zero. 4) Class discussion occurs daily and continuously. Discussion of course topics in class with peers is critical to the overall learning experience. Therefore, students must be prepared when called on in class for input. Lack of preparation is noted and will impact course grades. 5) If a class meeting is missed it is the student s responsibility to find out from classmates what was discussed and any additional assignments. 6) Assignments and paper turn-in process. All assignments and papers are due as assigned. As noted elsewhere in the syllabus, no late work will be accepted. To help clarify what was turned in late and what was not, we will use the following process: I will have a date stamp with me in class, which will have been previously set to indicate that classes date. All students will be required to stamp their homework and papers by turning to the last page of writing and stamp their assignment with the date stamp at the bottom of the page. The stamp will note that the assignment was been received on that date and the student will then initial next to the words By:. Homework will be turned in prior to my leaving the classroom for my next class. Once I have departed the classroom, all work not turned in will be considered late. Homework without a date stamp will be considered received late it is the student s responsibility to ensure that their work is stamped and initialed by them. 7) Written examinations: Quizzes, major tests, and one final exam combining multiple choice, true/false, fill in the blank, and/or essay questions. No student will be allowed notes, books, computers, IPADS, or any other references for any quizzes, major tests, and final exam. o Students who arrive late to class, after a quiz is handed out will be allowed to participate, however, they will not be allowed the full quiz time. They will only have the time remaining to complete their quiz.

6 o Students who arrive late to class, after a major test is handed out will be allowed to participate, however, they will not be allowed the full test time. They will only have the time remaining to complete their test. If a student has been working on their test or has completed the test and leaves the classroom for any reason, no further tests will be allowed for students arriving late. 7) Students are to wait until at least 15 minutes after the start of class time before dismissing self, if no instructor. Cell phone/personal Computers/IPads and all other electronic device Policy 1) None of these types of devices are required for this course and will not be permitted in the classroom during class. If you bring them to class, make sure they are in your backpack by the beginning of class. 2) Students using any of these devices, or refusing to put it away during class will be asked to leave the class and will not be allowed back in class until they come to my office and explain why the business on their electronic device was more important than paying attention and participating in class. 3) Powerpoints are available on Moodle; I recommend you print them before class for note taking if desired. ATTENDANCE POLICY Consider this your training ground for your future occupation. You will not be allowed to arrive late to work or to miss work without calling in, so build good habits beginning today. Arrive to class on time or notify me prior to class of absences. Every student is, by school regulation, expected and required to attend all class meetings and participate in class discussion, role-play, or other activities. 1) Class attendance and participation: Every student is, by school regulations, expected and required to attend all class meetings and participate in class discussion, role-play, or other activities. Class begins at 9:00 a.m., Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Students, who are not in class when attendance is taken, will be reported in the school attendance system as absent unless they are participating in a Missouri Valley College sanctioned event. Once I have passed your name, I will not go back and correct the attendance be in class on time. Students, who come to class for attendance and then leave class without a valid excuse prior to the end of class, will be marked absent. It will no longer be acceptable for students who are too ill to be in class to arrive for attendance and then leave so that they are eligible to play sports. Additionally, students know their class schedule and should arrange their work schedule around that so that it does not interfere with their studies. Students who leave early to go to work will be marked absent. You have to make your education your priority. You will need a note of explanation (i.e.: a doctor s note) for an absence to be excused or you will need to arrange the absence in advance of class with me, either face to face, by phone or . No make-up tests/quizzes will be allowed if I have not been notified of your absence prior to class. All athletes and any other students who are going to be absent from class due to a school sanctioned game or event are to contact me prior to their absence at which time I will note the excused absence in my attendance book and give any assignments that will need to be completed. If a student is absent, excused or unexcused and assignments are due that day for grading, it is the student s obligation to submit the work by the due date or they will receive a zero on that assignment. o Read attendance policy in this syllabus and college catalog. STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT It shall be the responsibility of every student enrolled at Missouri Valley College to support the academic integrity of the institution. This applies to personal honesty in all aspects of collegiate work, all student records, and all contacts with faculty and staff. Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated.

7 It shall also be the responsibility of every student enrolled at Missouri Valley College to be respectful of the right of other students, staff, and instructors to ensure a safe, peaceful atmosphere conducive to the educational goals of an institution of higher learning. Rude or disruptive behavior will not be tolerated. Student actions that do not adhere to the MVC Student Code of Conduct will be addressed according to College policies regarding academic dishonesty and disruptive behavior. Students who exhibit dishonest, disruptive, or disrespectful behavior risk suspension or expulsion from the institution. ACADEMIC DISHONESTY Academic integrity is expected and required of all students. Students and faculty are responsible and accountable for personally upholding that integrity. Cheating will not be tolerated, and students found guilty of cheating in any way will be disciplined according to the Academic Dishonesty Policy in the MVC College Catalog. The following penalties may be applied: 1. Reprimand. 2. Requirement that the student repeats and re-submits the same or alternate assignment. In such cases, the grade or mark awarded will be reduced or limited at the discretion of the faculty member. 3. Completion of the Plagiarism Tutorial found at the student s Moodle site. (Must be completed if this is the student s first plagiarism offense) 4. A mark of "0" will be given for the assignment with no opportunity to resubmit. This may result in failure of the course. 5. A failing (F) grade will be awarded in the course. 6. Automatic failing (F) grades in all courses in which the student is registered, and no fees will be refunded for that semester. This penalty will only be imposed by the student's program division chair or the Chief Academic Officer. 7. Expulsion from Missouri Valley College, permanently recorded on the student's record. This penalty will result in automatic failing (F) grades in all courses in which the student is registered, and no fees will be refunded for that semester. ADA STATEMENT The College seeks to comply fully with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of The ADA Coordinator works with the programs to assist the faculty in understanding and implementing accommodations. Students with disabilities should have documentation of their disability sent to the campus ADA coordinator, Debbie Coleman, or colemand@moval.edu, and set up an appointment as soon as they arrive on campus. Students enrolled in online courses should the ADA coordinator. Failure to do so could delay accommodations. After proper documentation, reasonable efforts will be made to accommodate students needs. If you have any questions about how to initiate this process, please contact your instructor.