CRIJ 4360: Forensics Dr. Danielle Bailey

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1 Class Time: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 1:25 PM 2:20 PM Office: BUS 228 Office Hours: Tuesday 9:00 AM 12:00 PM Wednesday 9:00 AM 10:00 AM Thursday 12:00 PM 2:30 PM Office Phone: (903) *preferred method of contact* Course Objectives This course is designed to familiarize the student with the basic aspects of forensic science, including the variety of disciplines involved in forensic science and the career paths available within the forensic science field. This course will examine the role of forensic science in three main areas: 1) forensic science at crime scenes, including the preservation, identification, collection, and analysis of physical evidence; 2) forensic laboratory sciences, including biological and trace evidence; 3) forensic science in the legal setting, including the admissibility of forensic evidence, expert witness testimony, and legal challenges to forensic evidence. Throughout the course, students will be exposed to current research topics in forensic science and the modern-day challenges of forensic evidence. In addition to lecture and discussion, students will gain experience through a hands-on laboratory and Q&A s with practicing technicians. Required Text Saferstein, R. (2015). Forensic Science: From the Crime Scene to the Crime Lab (3 rd edition). Prentice Hall. Shelton, D. (2011). Forensic Science in Court: Challenges in the Twenty First Century. Rowman & Littlefield: Lanham, MD. *Additional readings and videos may be posted on Blackboard under the Course Materials tab. Course Format & Instructor Expectations This course will be taught using lecture, discussion, and small groups. Our class will work together in discussing the above topics in an open and honest manner. You are expected to complete all assigned readings and assignments by the designated dates listed in the syllabus. I encourage students to express their views and opinions supported by analysis or evidence. Discussion, analysis, and independent thinking are highly encouraged. It is expected that you will demonstrate professional behavior and will treat the instructor and other students with respect. I hold regular office hours and am available by , so if you do not understand any part of this class (readings, lectures, handouts, expectations etc.) I expect you to set an appointment with me. Page 1 of 10

2 The course grade will be comprised of the following assignments: Exams (3) Small Group Discussions (10 at 10 points each) Laboratory Day Forensic Science in the Courtroom activity Group Presentation Argument Paper Rough Draft Submission Argument Paper Peer Review Final Argument Paper Total Points Possible 300 points 100 points 50 points 150 points (50 points) (5 points) (20 points) (75 points) 600 points Grading Scale A % 540 points and above D 60%-69% points B 80-89% points F Below 60% Below 360 points C 70-79% points Attendance Policy You should be aware as students that attendance is crucial for success in the classroom. There are several in-class activities that require you to be in class. Additionally, this class will entail significant amounts of lecture material. If you miss class, you should arrange to obtain notes from another student. I release the course PowerPoint slides prior to the class date, but these slides are intended to be skeleton notes that assist with note-taking. They are not meant to be comprehensive of all material covered in class, and students are expected to take comprehensive notes from the in-class lecture. I do not release copies of my personal lecture notes to students. Attendance will be considered in the case of border-line grades. Assignments Exams (3 exams, 100 points each) This course contains three exams conducted throughout the semester. Exams may consist of multiple choice, true/false, matching, short answer questions, and essay questions. Exams will cover material from both the readings and the in-class lecture. Exams are cumulative. Small Group Discussions (10 discussions; 10 points each) The purpose of small group discussions is to promote discussion and analysis of course material within a small group of peers. Each week, groups will be presented with 3 questions for discussion. These questions may come from the textbook material, published articles, or require real life application of course material. Groups will be given approximately 10 minutes per question, for a total of 30 minutes, to discuss the material and finalize a group discussion sheet (1 per group). The entire class will then participate in a class-wide discussion based on group responses. Page 2 of 10

3 In small groups, it is important that each member actively participate and contribute to the overall discussion/conclusion. To encourage participation, small group discussions will be graded entirely by peer review. At the end of each small group discussion period, group members will rate each member s participation and group contributions for the current week; peer ratings will be averaged for the final grade assigned each week. Ratings will be based on the following five point scale: 1 = No participation / did not contribute to discussion 2 = Minimal participation / provided one or two contributions to discussion 3 = Fair participation / provided some contributions to discussion 4 = Regular participation / provided multiple contributions to discussion 5 = Active participation / made numerous contributions to discussion Laboratory Day (50 points) In order to provide students with hands-on experience, there will be a laboratory day(s) where students will get the opportunity to practice crime scene processing techniques including the use of fingerprint powders, bloodspatter, and photography methods. Students will be provided with a check-list of activities to complete during the laboratory. Completion of this checklist will be worth 50 points. Please be advised that this lab will involve materials that can stain clothing, so please dress appropriately. *As identified in the syllabus, there will be an optional night photography laboratory where students will get the chance to practice photography techniques such as painting with light and laser trajectory. This laboratory will be held during the evening hours, as these techniques require darkness. Participation in the night laboratory is completely optional. Forensic Science in the Courtroom Activity (150 points total) Although forensic evidence has a long history in the courtroom, recent innovations and techniques have called into question the reliability of various forensic methods. The purpose of this assignment is to give students the opportunity to explore the challenges forensic evidence faces and to provide an argument paper supporting or condoning the use of such evidence in future cases. The assignment will consist of the following part: group presentation (50 points); argument paper rough draft (5 points); argument paper peer review (20 points); final argument paper (75 points). The group presentation will consist of a 10 to 15 minute class presentation. Each group will be assigned one chapter from Shelton s Forensic Science in Court: Challenges in the Twenty-First Century (chapters 4 through 7). Group sign-ups will be available the first week of classes on Blackboard. Class presentations are meant to provide a summary of the information provided in the chapter as well as an in-depth discussion of one of the case studies provided in the chapter. Presentations should have a reference page that includes Shelton s book as well as the case law or other materials from the specific case discussed. Students are encouraged to contact the library for assistance finding case law. Page 3 of 10

4 The argument paper is an individual portion where students will choose one type of forensic evidence and argue either for or against continued use of this type of evidence in criminal and civil proceedings. Students must support their argument with material from class, including the application of Frye/Daubert, NAS comments, and inter-operator reliability in analysis methods. Important dates related to the argument paper are noted on the class schedule provided. Each student will provide a peer review for two separate students during the peer review window. Students who do not submit a rough draft by the required submission date will not be included in the peer editing process. More information regarding argument paper grading will be provided in the first two weeks of class. My Course Policies Classroom Behavior Students are asked to turn off all pagers/cell phones/blackberries while class is in session. Students whose electronics cause continued classroom disruption will be asked to leave. Talking during lecture (outside of class discussion), sleeping during lecture, and coming late to class are not only rude, but can be distracting. Students are expected to be considerate of fellow students by not behaving in such a manner. Submission policy: Course assignments will be submitted online through the appropriate Blackboard links. In order to receive full points, assignments must be submitted by the start of class (1:25 PM) on the due date. Please check the assignment instructions to ensure that each assignment is submitted appropriately. To avoid confusion, I do not accept assignments submitted via . Extra Credit I offer a variety of extra credit opportunities throughout the semester. These opportunities will include the following: Extra credit opportunities on each exam Extra credit writing assignments Please note that I do not offer extra extra credit. I will not offer last minute assignments at the end of the semester to students requesting extra points. You must take advantage of the extra credit opportunities as they are assigned. Late Assignments Assignments are due at the beginning of class time (1:25 PM). Submissions made after this time will be subject to a 5 point deduction for every 24 hours past the deadline. Page 4 of 10

5 Make-Up Quizzes/Exams The University Catalog does not establish make-ups as a student right. Major tests are forecasted; therefore, no make-up opportunities are contemplated. Opportunities to make-up missed examinations will be provided only for exceptional reasons and must be documented (e.g., hospital records, obituaries). Requests for make-up examinations must be made within 3 business days of the exam. Make-up examinations may be in forms completely different from original examinations and will be scheduled at the convenience of the instructor. University of Texas Policies Students Rights and Responsibilities To know and understand the policies that affect your rights and responsibilities as a student at UT Tyler, please follow this link: Grade Replacement/Forgiveness and Census Date Policies Students repeating a course for grade forgiveness (grade replacement) must file a Grade Replacement Contract with the Enrollment Services Center (ADM 230) on or before the Census Date of the semester in which the course will be repeated. Grade Replacement Contracts are available in the Enrollment Services Center or at Each semester s Census Date can be found on the Contract itself, on the Academic Calendar, or in the information pamphlets published each semester by the Office of the Registrar. Failure to file a Grade Replacement Contract will result in both the original and repeated grade being used to calculate your overall grade point average. Undergraduates are eligible to exercise grade replacement for only three course repeats during their career at UT Tyler; graduates are eligible for two grade replacements. Full policy details are printed on each Grade Replacement Contract. The Census Date is the deadline for many forms and enrollment actions that students need to be aware of. These include: o Submitting Grade Replacement Contracts, Transient Forms, requests to withhold directory information, approvals for taking courses as Audit, Pass/Fail or Credit/No Credit. o Receiving 100% refunds for partial withdrawals. (There is no refund for these after the Census Date) o Schedule adjustments (section changes, adding a new class, dropping without a W grade) o Being reinstated or re-enrolled in classes after being dropped for non-payment o Completing the process for tuition exemptions or waivers through Financial Aid State-Mandated Course Drop Policy Texas law prohibits a student who began college for the first time in Fall 2007 or thereafter from dropping more than six courses during their entire undergraduate career. This includes courses dropped at another 2-year or 4-year Texas public college or university. For purposes of this rule, a dropped course is any course that is dropped after the census date (See Academic Calendar for the specific date). Exceptions to the 6-drop rule may be found in the catalog. Petitions for exemptions must be submitted to the Enrollment Services Center and must be accompanied by documentation of the extenuating circumstance. Please contact the Enrollment Services Center if you have any questions. Page 5 of 10

6 Disability Services In accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the ADA Amendments Act (ADAAA) the University offers accommodations to students with learning, physical and/or psychiatric disabilities. If you have a disability, including non-visible disabilities such as chronic diseases, learning disabilities, head injury, PTSD or ADHD, or you have a history of modifications or accommodations in a previous educational environment you are encouraged to contact the Student Accessibility and Resources office and schedule an interview with the Accessibility Case Manager/ADA Coordinator, Cynthia Lowery Staples. If you are unsure if the above criteria applies to you, but have questions or concerns please contact the SAR office. For more information or to set up an appointment please visit the SAR office located in the University Center, Room 3150 or call You may also send an to cstaples@uttyler.edu. Technical Support Services Students are provided technical support through Information Technology ( or call Student Writing Support Students may obtain assistance with writing and documentation at the Writing Center on the second floor of the Business Administration Building (BUS 202), contact at writingcenter@uttyler.edu or call Student Absence due to Religious Observance Students who anticipate being absent from class due to a religious observance are requested to inform the instructor of such absences by the second class meeting of the semester. Student Absence for University-Sponsored Events and Activities If you intend to be absent for a university-sponsored event or activity, you (or the event sponsor) must notify the instructor at least two weeks prior to the date of the planned absence. At that time the instructor will set a date and time when make-up assignments will be completed. Social Security and FERPA Statement: It is the policy of The University of Texas at Tyler to protect the confidential nature of social security numbers. The University has changed its computer programming so that all students have an identification number. The electronic transmission of grades (e.g., via ) risks violation of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act; grades will not be transmitted electronically. Emergency Exits and Evacuation: Everyone is required to exit the building when a fire alarm goes off. Follow your instructor s directions regarding the appropriate exit. If you require assistance during an evacuation, inform your instructor in the first week of class. Do not re-enter the building unless given permission by University Police, Fire department, or Fire Prevention Services. Page 6 of 10

7 Statement Regarding Academic Dishonesty CRIJ 4360: Forensics Academic dishonesty is a violation of University policy and professional standards. If compared to a violation of the criminal law, it would be classed as a felony. Academic dishonesty is defined as cheating, plagiarism, or otherwise obtaining grades under false pretenses. The penalty for academic dishonesty in this class will be no less than immediate failure of the course and a permanent student record of the reason therefore. In most cases, a written record of academic dishonesty or an instructor s report of same to an agency investigator during a background check will bar an individual from employment by a criminal justice agency as it is considered indicative of subsequent corrupt acts. Many students have an inadequate understanding of plagiarism. Any idea or verbiage from another source must be documented. Any time the exact words from another author are used, they must be enclosed with quotation marks and followed by a citation. However, quotations should only be used on rare occasions. Student papers should be written in the student s own words; therefore excessive quotations will result in a failing grade. If you have a question about using or citing another writer s work, DO NOT GUESS. Check with your instructor or consult with the Writing Center (BUS 202). Bring a printout of the original source and your paper to the consultation. The above policy also applies to all instances of cheating, copying, or other dishonest behavior within the classroom. Page 7 of 10

8 Course Schedule *Note: This schedule is subject to change at the instructor s discretion. Any changes will be announced to the students as soon as possible. Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4 Week 5 Class Date Lecture Topic Weekly Readings Assignments Due on Blackboard August 24 August 26 August 28 August 31 September 2 Introduction to Course History of Forensics History of Forensics The Crime Scene The Crime Scene September 4 Small Group Discussion #1 September 7 September 9 No Class Labor Day Forensic Evidence September 11 Small Group Discussion #2 September 14 September 16 Death Investigation Death Investigation September 18 Small Group Discussion #3 September 21 September 23 Fingerprints Fingerprints September 25 Small Group Discussion #4 Saferstein Chapter 1 Saferstein Chapters 2 & 3 Saferstein Chapters 4 & 5 Saferstein Chapter 6 Hookano et al., 2013 Saferstein Chapter 8 Page 8 of 10

9 Week 6 Week 7 Week 8 Week 9 Week 10 Week 11 CRIJ 4360: Forensics Class Date Lecture Topic Weekly Readings Assignments Due on Blackboard September 28 September 30 Firearms & Toolmark Analysis Bloodstain Pattern Analysis October 2 Small Group Discussion #5 October 5 October 7 Special Crime Scenes Laboratory Day UT Tyler Campus, Normal Class time October 9 Exam 1 October 12 October 14 Computer / Mobile Forensics Computer / Mobile Forensics October 16 Small Group Discussion #6 October 19 October 21 Forensic Toxicology Forensic Toxicology October 23 Small Group Discussion #7 October 26 October 28 Trace Evidence Trace Evidence **Optional Night Photography Lab** UT Tyler Campus; Time TBA October 30 Small Group Discussion #8 November 2 November 4 Forensic Biology Forensic Biology November 6 Exam 2 Page 9 of 10 Saferstein Chapters 9 & 10 Saferstein Chapter 16 Saferstein Chapters 18 & 19 Saferstein Chapter 12 Saferstein Chapters 13 & 14 Saferstein Chapter 15

10 Week 12 Week 13 Week 14 Week 15 Week 16 CRIJ 4360: Forensics Class Date Lecture Topic Weekly Readings Assignments Due on Blackboard November 9 Forensic Admissibility November 11 Forensic Admissibility Shelton Chapter 2 Peterson et. al., 2013 November 13 Small Group Discussion #9 Argument Paper Rough Draft Due November 16 Juries and Forensic Science Shelton Chapter 8 November 18 Juries and Forensic Science Holmgren & Fordham, 2011 Smith, Bull & Holliday, 2011 November 20 Small Group Discussion #10 Houck, 2006 November 23 November 25 November 27 No Class Thanksgiving No Class Thanksgiving No Class Thanksgiving November 30 Class Presentations (Groups 1 & 2) December 2 Class Presentations (Groups 3 & 4) None Shelton 9 Argument Paper Peer Review Windows Opens Argument Paper Peer Review Windows Closes December 4 The Future of Forensics Final Argument Paper December 7 TBA No Class Study Day Final Exam None Page 10 of 10