Forensic Science: Documentation Analysis Unit. District Core Outcomes: List some common individual characteristics associated with handwriting.

Transcription

1 Day 4: A Direct Lesson Grade Level: 10 th Grade Topic: Handwriting Analysis Duration: 55 minutes Forensic Science: Documentation Analysis Unit Purpose: The purpose of this lesson is to demonstrate how forensic scientists use handwriting analysis to identify forged and original documents. Materials/Preparation: Handwriting analysis powerpoint slides, computer with projector, guided notes handout, handwriting analysis activity handout, index cards with pink, blue, orange, and green indication, pens District Core Outcomes: List some common individual characteristics associated with handwriting. High School Content Expectations: A3- Develop descriptions, explanations, predictions, and model using evidence. Day's Agenda: Do Now Question (5 minutes) Handwriting Analysis Lecture/Discussion (20 minutes) Handwriting Analysis Activity (25 minutes) Closure/Homework Assignment (5 minutes) Objectives: 1) Identify and analyze the different characteristics of handwriting. 2) Contribute to a group effort by completing an assigned duty in order to achieve group success. Assessment of Objectives: Students will be assessed through completion of an activity worksheet; observations will also be made during the exercise with periodic questioning throughout. Anticipatory Set: The class will begin with a Do Now, during which students will respond to the following in order to review the content covered the previous day: What types of documents are commonly forged? then the vocabulary words from the prior lesson will be reviewed with a flash card check. It will then be explained that the lesson today will begin with a brief lecture/discussion covering handwriting analysis, followed by an activity that will require the students to attempt to forge a document and then analyze the forgeries of another group. Input: A brief lecture utilizing powerpoint slides will describe the handwriting analysis with checks for understanding throughout. The students will have guided notes to fill out as they follow along. The handwriting analysis activity will then be introduced and the handout procedure walked through with the students. During the activity the students will work at the lab tables in their four member lab groups in order to complete the activity handout together. They will be required to select one member to create the original document, then they will all make a copy of the original, the other group members acting as forgers. It will be emphasized that everyone must do their part so that the group can complete the activity. The groups will exchange documents and then attempt to analyze the forgeries of another group. Each member of the group is required to choose one of the twelve characteristics of handwriting for the group to use in their analysis. They will then determine together which of their documents was made by the same person who wrote the original and explain the reasons for their

2 choice. The group will then turn in their handout. Forensic Science: Documentation Analysis Unit Modeling: The analysis of the different characteristics of handwriting will be modeled on the board as they are covered in the lecture slides. The walk through of the activity instructions will also provide the students with a better idea of what is to be expected of them as they work through the activity. Checking for Understanding: The students will be questioned periodically throughout the lesson in order to demonstrate understanding of concepts, both during the lecture and the activity. Guided Practice: The activity serves as a chance for students to attempt handwriting analysis while the instructor is available to assist where necessary. Closure: As the students finish their activities they will be asked to return to their seat. If time permits the class will discuss their experiences during the activity. The class will then receive their homework assignment. Independent Practice: The students will be assigned homework that requires them to obtain three handwriting samples and analyze their characteristics. Adaptation/Differentiation: Additional time can be provided to resource students as needed. Extra help and support will be given to students struggling with concepts and vocabulary. Handouts can be modified for readiness level if desired. Activities should be modified as needed for students with special needs. Handouts: Powerpoint slides, guided notes, and activity worksheet attached.

3 Forensic Science: Documentation Analysis Unit

4 Forensic Science: Documentation Analysis Unit

5 Guided Notes Handwriting Analysis There are 12 different characteristics of handwriting that investigators analyze. 1) - are the lines steady and smooth, or shaky? 2) - are the spread out or crowded? 3) - are ratios between height and width consistent? 4) - was the pen lifted or did it stay on the paper? 5) - which letters are commonly connected? 6) - which letters are commonly incomplete? 7) - cursive or printed? If both, when? 8) - is it on the up strokes or down strokes? 9) - left, right, or variable? 10) - above, below, or right on the line? 11) - fancy curls or distinctions? 12) - dotted i's and crossed t's? Where? Class Evidence Vs Individual Evidence Some elements of an individual's handwriting might be. Handwriting analysts require of an individual's writing before they will confirm a match. are additional factors to consider. A document examiner has the difficult problem of assessing whether the differences between a known sample and a questioned sample are due to or to the writing being done by a different writer. The investigators can collect two different kinds of handwriting samples for comparison,. Collected writings are the because they are more natural than those that are requested.

6 Handwriting Analysis Activity Group # Members: Part A: 1. Select one person in your group to create the original document. The rest of the group members are forgers. 2. The blank white index card is the original document. The person selected is to write a sentence on this card. 3. This person will also rewrite the sentence on one of the four colored cards. 4. The forgers will each take one of the colored cards and attempt to forge the sentence. You may want to practice a few times on another piece of paper. Write down who wrote on which colored card here: Original: Pink: Blue: Green: Orange: 5. Submit your cards to the instructor and receive a new set of cards for Part B.

7 Part B: 1. Write the number on the original document you received here: 2. Take a look at the original document you received, then look at the four copies. 3. Each group member must choose one of the twelve characteristics to analyze the cards with. 4. Write the characteristics your group chose across the top of the chart. Write what you observed for each characteristic below. Characteristics White Original Pink Copy Blue Copy Green Copy Orange Copy 5. Which of the four copies do you think was made by the same person who wrote the original? 6. What are your reasons for selecting this copy?