Department of Anthropology ANTH 2235A Individuation in Forensic Science COURSE OUTLINE Fall 2015

Transcription

1 Department of Anthropology ANTH 2235A Individuation in Forensic Science COURSE OUTLINE Fall 2015 Classes: Tuesdays 2:30-5:30 pm Location: SSC 2028 Instructor: Dr. El Molto Office: SSC 3433 Office hours: Wednesdays 11:30-1:30 Teaching Assistant: Ms. Isabella Graham Office: SSC 3430 Office hours TBA Course Description Recovering remains and identifying the victims and perpetrators of crimes is at the core of forensic science. This course details the methods used by forensic scientists in crime scene analysis and the individuation process. Topics include forensic archaeology, forensic entomology, determination of vital statistics (i.e., age, sex, stature and race) of skeletons, fingerprinting, and forensic DNA (both nuclear and mitochondrial) analysis. A case study format is used to illustrate the fundamentals of the forensic mindset. Prerequisite: Any first year Social Science, Health Sciences, or Science course. (Note: Anth 2226A/B, Biology and/or chemistry backgrounds would be helpful.)

2 Required Readings: Readings available in a course pack in bookstore. Powerpoint presentations for each lecture on WebCT. Evaluation: 2 objective tests (the highest mark counts for 55%) Midterm test Final exam in December Students are required to read the policy on Accommodation for Medical Illness ( If you miss either of the two exams for medical reasons, a note from the doctor is to be sent to the Dean of Social Science. Thereafter in consultation with the professor, a rescheduled time suitable to both parties can be arranged. Appropriate student responsibilities will be discussed in the opening lecture. Cheating on exams results in a 0! The contents of each lecture and the specific readings will be detailed in the power presentation given prior to each class. Learning Outcomes Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to: Understand the role of the forensic scientist in our modern adversarial medico-legal system Place the modern paradigm shift in contemporary forensic science within a historical framework. Understand the impact of DNA testing, both nuclear and mtdna, in forensic science, including the unique role of DNA science in exonerations. Learn the complexities of statistical computations in the various subfields of forensic science and how to present these data in the courts Learn to critically think the logic of court outcomes from a scientific standpoint emphasizing the importance of proper crime scene recovery techniques Understand the increasing role of forensic anthropology in casework, particularly in mass disasters and human rights violations Page 2 of 5

3 Lecture Schedule Part A Background (Key Readings for each lecture in brackets; a detailed breakdown of these topics is provided in each power point) Sept 15 Forensic Science Today: medico-legal systems and new paradigm shift (#13;) Sept. 22 Individuation Methods: Nuclear DNA methods (#9and #13) Sept. 29 Individuation Methods: Mitochondrial DNA (#3) Oct. 6 Individuation methods: Forensic anthropology &Odontology (#s4, 11 {on web CT} & 12) Oct. 13 Expert witness testimony with emphasis on statistical methods (#s 4 & 13) Oct. 20 Test #1 Part B Special Topics and Case Studies in Forensic Science Oct. 27 Death and crime scene investigations in Canada: forensic archaeology (11), forensic entomology (#1) forensic pathology #14: Movie : Forensic entomology Nov. 3 Doing forensic anthropology 1 trauma analysis (#s 4, 10, 14, 15) Movie: Forensic Anthropology Nov. 10 Doing forensic anthropology 2 case studies (#s 4, 6 & 10) Nov. 17 Case Studies in forensic ndna analysis (#2): Nov. 24 Case Studies in mtdna analysis (#7): Movie Titanic s Ghosts Dec. 1 Forensic Investigation of Mass disasters and human rights (#s 4 & 5) Dec. 8 Course summary (#13) Final Exam: During December exam period... Course Pack of Required Readings Anderson, G Forensic Entomology: the use of insects in death investigations. In: Forensic Osteological Analysis: A book of Case Studies S.I. Fairgrieve (ed), Charles C. Thomas: Page 3 of 5

4 2. Butler, J.M Forensic DNA Typing: DNA testing in high profile cases. Academic Press: Chahal, A, E. Molto and J. Kenkel Mitochondrial DNA and Forensic Identification. In: DNA: A Practical Guide, D. Rose and L. Goos (Editors) Thompson-Carswell: Chapter 7: Dirkmatt, D.C., L. Cabo, S.D. Owsley and S.A. Syms New Perspectives in Forensic Anthropology. Yearbook of Physical Anthropology 51: (Lecture 1 Daubert Iinfo) 5. Doretti, M. and C.C. Snow Forensic Anthropology and Human Rights: The Argentine Experience. In: Hard Evidence: Case Studies in Forensic Anthropology. Dawnie W. Steadman (Ed), Prentice Hall: Fairgrieve, S.I. and J.E. Molto Burning Point: Canadian Case Studies of Intentionally Cremated Human Remains. In: Strength and Diversity: A reader in Physical Anthropology: Just, R. et al, Titanic s unknown child: The critical role of the mitochondrial DNA coding region in the re-identification effort. Forensic Science International: Genetics 5: Lithwick, D Pseudoscience in the witness box: FBI faked an entire filed of forensic science. Jurisprudence (4): McQuire, B.P Update on the law of forensic DNA typing. Unpublished Document: Melbye, Jerry, D. Chaisson, R. Wood and B. Bleninsop Death on the Danforth. In: Forensic Osteological Analysis: A book of Case Studies S.I. Fairgrieve (ed), Charles C. Thomas: Menez, L.L The place of forensic archaeologists at the crime scene involving a buried body. Forensic Science International (152): Molto, J.E. (Unpublished manuscript) Individuation methods in forensic anthropology. The Basics (on webct). Page 4 of 5

5 13. Pretty, L.A. and D. Sweet, A look at forensic dentistry Part 1. The role of teeth in the determination of human identity. British Dental Journal, Volume 190 (7): Saks., M.J. and J.J. Koeher The coming paradigm shift in forensic identification. Science Vol. 36(2): (lecture 1) 15. Shkrum, M.J Forensic Pathology in Canada: A New subspeciality. Acad. Forensic Pathology, 4(1) Smith, O.C. E. I. Pope and S.A. Symes Look until you see: Identification of Trauma in Skeletal Material. In: Hard Evidence: Case Studies in Forensic Anthropology. Dawnie W. Steadman (Ed), Prentice Hall: Spector, M Do fingerprints lie? The gold standard of forensic science is now being challenged. The New Yorker. 18. Ubelaker D.H. and J.E. Smialek The interface of forensic anthropology and forensic pathology in trauma interpretation. In: Hard Evidence: Case Studies in Forensic Anthropology. Dawnie W. Steadman (Ed), Prentice Hall: Page 5 of 5