Forensic Science/ Crime Scene Investigation

Forensic Science/ Crime Scene Investigation You know what a Crime Scene Investigator looks like on television. Now, get to know the real career. Forensic Science plays a vital role in the criminal justice system providing investigators with scientifically-based information through the analysis of physical evidence. As a student in the Forensic Science/CSI pathway at the Public Service Leadership Academy at Fowler you ll be exposed to the real, everyday life of a crime scene investigator, gaining knowledge and hands-on experience in: Collecting and preserving material evidence found at crime scenes including measuring, recording and analyzing chemical substances (such as tissue samples, physical materials and ballistics evidence) Communicating with experts in fingerprinting, ballistics, handwriting, electronics, documents, chemistry, medicine or metallurgy to interpret evidence Reconstructing crime scenes and testifying as a witness in trials or hearings This pathway will involve a rigorous and relevant four-course Project Lead the Way (PLTW) Biomedical Science sequence. CAREER OPPORTUNITIES: Crime Scene Investigator, Private Investigator, Law Enforcement 73

Course of Study Forensic Science/Crime Scene Investigation 7th Grade 8th Grade 9th Grade 10th Grade 11th Grade 12th Grade 7th Grade CC 8th Grade CC Exploratory Forensic Science 100 (CSI100) (1 Credit) Forensic Science 200 (CSI200) (2 Credits) Forensic Science Integreated Science (300) (1 Credit) Forensic Science 300 (CSI300) (2 Credits) Forensic Science Integreated ELA (400) (1 Credit) DISTRICT REQUIREMENTS Students must pass CSI: Forensic Science 100, 200 and 300 to challenge the course approved technical assessment. All students in 9th grade will receive Career and Financial Management and Exploratory classes. Student will have earned the 11th grade integrated science credit upon successful completion of the Forensic Science 100 and 200. Student will have earned the 12th grade integrated ELA credit upon successful completion of the Forensic Science 100,200 and 300. Student will receive the Endorsement upon successful completion of the Forensic Science Program and must pass the prescribed technical assessment and completion of a commencement level project. 74

COURSE DESCRIPTION Forensic science is the application of scientific knowledge to questions of civil and criminal law. This course is a lab-based, hands-on course that will explore what forensic scientists do, including modern forensic methods and scientific methods to solve legal problems. This course will focus on collection and analysis of crime scene evidence and lab analysis techniques and the ability to clearly and concisely explain the results of the labs and techniques used, and present details of the analysis in lab reports. The course requires students to apply basic understandings of physics, chemistry, biology and math to explore the range of topics in this diverse field of study. COURSE OBJECTIVES 1. Students will understand the history of the s and its place in popular culture. 2. Students will understand the roles of different types of professionals involved in evaluating a crime scene and the collected evidence. 3. Students will apply the methodology of collecting and interpreting data, avoiding contamination, and preservation of chain of custody. 4. Students will understand how to present evidence in a professional (courtroom) setting. INTEGRATED ACADEMICS N/A EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES School will provide: TBD Student will provide: TBD Course Syllabus Forensic Science/Crime Scene Investigation TEXTBOOK Funkhouser, Charles and Barbara Ball-Deslich. Forensic Science for High School, Second Edition. Dubuque, Iowa: Kendall Hunt, 2009. GRADING 20% Tests: Tests will be longer and may cover more than one unit of material. Test dates will be announced at least a week in advance. 35% Quizzes: Quizzes will be weekly and will cover the most recent material as well as a review of important concepts. 20% Labs: Labs are often performed in groups of 2-4 students; yet an individual lab report is always required of every student. 10% Homework: Homework will be assigned every night. It will be checked for completion each day and reviewed in class. 15% Projects: Research projects will be assigned every quarter. The topics of the project will be discussed in class and sufficient time will be given to complete the project and present it in class. ADDITIONAL COURSE POLICIES It is your responsibility to ask about any missed work! If you had an excused absence, you will have one day for each day missed to make up any work to receive credit. If you were present on the day an assignment was announced, then you are responsible for that assignment on the day you return. If the absence is known about in advance, you should contact me before the absence to receive the work you will miss. Missed tests have to be made up within 1week of an absence. However missed quizzes only get 3 days to be made-up. You will be responsible to make arrangements with me to make up your tests /quizzes upon returning to school. Course Calendar Forensic Science/Crime Scene Investigation FORENSIC SCIENCE/ QUARTER UNITS OF STUDY 1 Safety and Scientific Method History of Forensic Science Legal System and The Role Forensics Plays Crime Scene Investigation 2 Forensic Glass Analysis Forensic Hair and Fiber Analysis Paint Footwear and Tire Impressions Fingerprints 3 Forensic Serology/DNA Forensic Toxicology Controlled Substances Questioned Documents Firearms and Tool Marks 4 Forensic Anthropology Criminal Psychology Crime Scene Photography Cross Curricular Case Studies with Culinary Cross Curricular Case Studies with Automotive Review For Final Examination 75

Time Frame WEEKS 1-3 Unit 1: Safety and Scientific Method Why is lab safety vital in science? How are the basics of science used in forensics? How does scientific reasoning help in daily life? How can scientific methods help solve everyday problems? Demonstrate safe practices in labs and field investigations Demonstrate how to use and conserve resources in labs and how to dispose of or recycle materials in labs Define science and the scientific method Differentiate between scientific hypotheses and scientific theories Explain how the scientific method is used to answer questions and solve cases in forensics Use the scientific method to solve an investigation, including all the steps of the method and an experiment Analyze, evaluate and critique scientific explanations by using data, logical reasoning, and observations Communicate and apply scientific information from current events as well as published articles Draw inferences from data related to services and products Demonstrate conversions of measurements from English to International Systems (SI) units Distinguish between physical and chemical properties Determine the elements within a compound or mixture Identify four types of chemical reactions Lab Safety Quiz Safety Poster MSDS Analysis Activity Scientific Method Quiz and Exam Scientific Method Crossword Puzzle Laboratory Equipment Lab Designing Experiments Current Events Article Summary Scientific Reasoning Quiz Accuracy and Precision in Industry The Last Picnic Scientific Method and Reasoning Metric Conversions Quiz White Powder Lab Reactions Worksheet Chemical Reactions LWC06 CCLS, RST.9-10. 1,2,3,4,7 76

Time Frame WEEKS 4-5 Unit 2: The History of Forensic Science What are some examples of careers in? What is legally and ethically expected of forensic scientists and Crime Scene Investigators? Who s Who in Forensic Science? What role do pathologists and anthropologists play in? Distinguish between and criminalistics in law, public safety, corrections and security Identify the roles, functions and responsibilities of professionals Explore and identify various fields of expertise in forensic science Discuss the different education and training requirements for the various careers in Summarize the ethical standards of a forensic scientist Re-evaluate the methods of processing and analyzing trace evidence commonly found in a crime scene Recognize the procedures of evidence collection while maintaining the integrity of a crime scene Explore the history and legal responsibilities of Recognize the major contributors to the development of Illustrate the history of Analyze the role of forensic pathologists and anthropologists in investigations Identify career-related information that is relative to making career decisions Careers in Forensic Science quiz; ethical standards in forensic science quiz; History of quiz Historical timeline poster Role of Forensic Pathologists and Anthologists Quiz Design Forensic Career Brochure LWC08 LWC09 CCLS, RST.9-10.2,4,8 WHST.9-10.2; FORENSIC SCIENCE/ 77

Time Frame WEEKS 6-7 Unit 3: The Legal System and the Role of Forensics What are the distinguishing duties for various forensic specialists, and how does the legal system control these responsibilities? Provide similarities and differences between forensics and criminalistics Explain the different duties of each forensic unit Describe the legal responsibilities of professionals within and outside of the courtroom Legal Systems Exam Analysis of forensic mistakes during O.J. Simpson trial Legal Systems Crossword Puzzle Admission into Evidence Court Cases Research LWC09 CCLS, RST.9-10.1,2,3,4 WEEKS 8-9 Unit 4: Crime Scene Investigation What procedures are implemented at a crime scene and why are they important? Work as a productive member of a team Conduct a systematic search of a mock crime scene Demonstrate crime scene sketching Demonstrate correct techniques of collecting and packaging evidence at a crime scene Crime Scene Sketch Mock Crime Scene Investigation and Data Table RST.9-10.3,7 WHST.9-10.2,4 WEEKS 10-11 Unit 5: Forensic Glass Analysis How do crime scene investigators examine glass? Calculate the direction of a projectile by examining glass fractures Compare the composition of glass fragments Correctly process trace evidence (examples are fibers, blood, hair, glass or soil) collected in a simulated crime scene Forensic Glass Analysis Experiment Density of Glass: The Flotation Method Forensic Glass Quiz and Exam RST.9-10.3,4,7 78

Time Frame Weeks 12-13 Unit 6: Forensic Hair and Fiber Analysis What are the differences between class characteristics and individual characteristics? How are the properties of light used in the collection and analysis of trace evidence? Identify the racial and somatic origin of unknown hairs based on their characteristics Compare and contrast between human and animal hairs Distinguish between natural and synthetic fibers Examine the subtle differences between questioned and known samples of hairs and fibers Describe the electromagnetic spectrum and light characteristic such as waves, wavelength, frequency, and speed Explain and utilize scientific technology, such as various microscopes, type of lasers, and the spectrophotometer, that apply the properties of light to investigate trace evidence Determine the identity of trace evidence by applying scientific theories of light such as light refraction, diffraction, dispersion and the atomic emission spectrum Characteristics of Hair Scales Lab Trace Evidence Quiz and Exam Forensic Use of Light Exam Forensic Use of Light Technology Quiz Flame Demonstration Basic Use of a Microscope Lab Observing Refractive Index (RI) in Fibers Lab Light Diffraction Hair Diameter Lab Refractive Index (RI) of Glass by Submersion Lab CCLS, RST.9-10.3,4,7,9 FORENSIC SCIENCE/ WEEKS 14-15 Unit 7: Paint How can paint chips be observed, compared, and used to prove ownership? Identify the different components of automobile paint Characterize the microscopic examination of paint List and define the techniques used in paint comparisons Understand how to properly collect and preserve paint evidence Paint Layer Determination Forensic Paint Analysis Quiz Forensic Paint Crossword Puzzle RST.9-10.3,4,7 WHST.9-10.2,4 79

Scope and SequenceForensic Science/Crime Scene Investigation Time Frame WEEKS 16-17 Unit 8: Footwear and Tire Impressions How is impression evidence examined? Distinguish between various types of impression evidence Differentiate between class and individual characteristics Collect and preserve footwear impression left on soil by plaster casting Footwear Impressions Lab Footwear Impressions Comparison CCLS, RST.9-10.3,7 WEEKS 18-20 Unit 9: Fingerprints How and when was the science of fingerprints discovered? What are the requirements for a quality set of fingerprints? How do they develop fingerprints that may not be visible? Identify the major contributor to the development of fingerprinting Illustrate the history of fingerprinting Explain the Automatic Fingerprint Identification System Explain the factors affecting fingerprints Obtain quality fingerprint impressions of another person Compare the three major fingerprint patterns of arches, loops, and whorls, and their respective subclasses Identify the factors affecting fingerprints Select appropriate techniques for the development of latent prints on various surfaces Poster on history of fingerprinting with a timeline Research Paper of IAFIS History of Fingerprinting Quiz Quality tenprint of student and another person. Quiz on fingerprint patterns Development of Latent Prints Lab Latent Fingerprints Quiz RST.9-10.1,2,3 80

Time Frame WEEKS 21-22 Unit 10: Forensic Serology/DNA What is serology and how is it used to solve crimes? What is DNA and where is it found? How can DNA be associated with crime scenes? Identify characteristics of human blood Determine genetics of the human red blood system Analyze bloodstain patterns based on source, direction, and angle of trajectory Diagram the DNA molecule Explain the polymerase chain reaction laboratory procedures Demonstrate how to package, collect, and analyze DNA from a simulated crime scene Blood Laboratory Punnett Square Blood Type Activity Forensic Serology Exam Blood Quiz DNA Extraction from Strawberries or Banana. PCR- Lewinsky/Clinton Scandal Activity DNA Quiz CCLS, RST.9-10.3,4,7,9 FORENSIC SCIENCE/ WEEKS 23-24 Unit 11: Forensic Toxicology What is a toxic substance? Analyze physical and chemical properties of evidence collected from a crime scene Identify and explore toxicology lab procedures, such as blood alcohol concentrations Chromatography Laboratory Blood Alcohol Determination Forensic Toxicology Exam RST.9-10.3,7 WEEKS 25-26 Unit 12: Controlled Substances What is a drug? What is the difference between an illicit drug and a controlled substance? Compare the types of drug dependence Characterize types of drugs Differentiate between screening and confirmation test for drugs Identify proper collection and preservation methods for drug evidence Analysis of White Powders Lab Controlled Substances Exam RST.9-10.3,4,9 81

Time Frame WEEKS 27-28 Unit 13: Questioned Documents Why is the field of questioned documents important in? Determine why a questioned document is and identify examples of it Analyze handwriting and identify its individual characteristics Identify what FISH is and its importance Recognize different types of altered documents and the techniques used to analyze them Apply knowledge that ink is a mixture and be able to demonstrate its components Apply knowledge of forensics to real life cases Differentiate between known and manufactured materials, such as forgeries and counterfeits Characteristics of Handwriting Lab Forgery Handwriting Lab Ink Chromatography Lab Documents and Forgery Assignment Questioned Documents Examination CCLS, RST.9-10.3,4,9 WEEKS 29-30 Unit 14: Firearms and Tool Marks How do crime scene investigators examine tool mark impressions, bullet fragments, and bullet holes? Explain the individual characteristics of tool marks Recognize characteristics of bullet and cartridge cases Explain laboratory methodologies used to determine whether an individual has fired a weapon, such as identifying gunshot residue Recognize the type of information available through the National Integrated Ballistics Information Network Tool Mark Analysis Experiment Firearms and Trajectory Activity Firearms and Tool Marks Examination Firearms and Tool Marks Crossword Puzzle RST.9-10.3,4 82

Time Frame WEEKS 31-32 Unit 15: Forensic Anthropology What is forensic anthropology and what can it tell us about human remains? Review the major bones of the human skeletal system Compare the composition and structure of human and animal bones Describe the techniques used to excavate bones Determine the unique characteristic of an individual (such as age, gender, race, and height) from his or her bones Explain the role of Forensic Odontology and analyze own teeth for distinctiveness Explain the processes and timelines of human death and decomposition Identify characteristics of Forensic Entomology Forensic Anthropology Exam Bone Quiz Who Is The Skeleton in the Closet? Lab One Bite Out of Crime Forensic Odontology Lab Forensic Entomology Lab Bone Review Crossword Puzzle CCLS, RST.9-10.3,4,7,9 FORENSIC SCIENCE/ WEEKS 33-34 Unit 16: Criminal Psychology What is criminal psychology and what does it tell us about criminal behavior? Can we create a profile of a criminal/ serial killer? List the key contributor to and their work in the field of criminal profiling Explain the stages of the criminal profiling process Differentiate between the roles of the investigator and the profiler Criminal Psychology and Profiling Exam Garbagology Lab: One Man s Trash Is a Profiler s Treasure! Analysis of Serial Killers Fake Book Criminal Lab RST.9-10.1,3,4 83

Time Frame WEEKS 35-36 Unit 17: Crime Scene Photography How does crime scene photography differ from regular photography? How can a photographic record that could be used in court be produced? Identify equipment and materials needed to operate digital cameras Produce quality photographs of crime scenes including a photography log Use proper lighting and exposure photographing a crime scene Process the pictures using Photoshop to present as evidence in court Produce a final presentation of the crime scene photos using imovie Scavenger Hunt Photo Results Reading and Questions on Forensic Photography Presentation of crime scene photos using imovie CCLS, RST.9-10.1,3,4 WEEKS 37-38 Unit 18: Cross Curricular Case Studies with Culinary How can we use the reactions in culinary science to study the chemistry in forensic science? Demonstrate an understanding of key chemistry concepts learned via the culinary cross curricular laboratories Newton s Law of Cooling: Spuds Carbohydrates and application to Chemistry Phase Changes: Melting Apples Physical vs. Chemical Changes: Butter Evaluation of items with similar chemical composition: How Sweet It Is RST.9-10.1,3,4 WEEK 39 Unit 19: Cross Curricular Case Studies with Automotive How can accidents be reconstructed? How can it be determined if a vehicle has been tampered with or if it was accidental? Perform vehicular accident reconstruction Analyze a vehicle s condition to understand if a scenario is an accident or on purpose Accident Scene Reconstruction Worksheets Hands on laboratory in the automotive bay Analysis of automobile s condition. RST.9-10.1,3,4 WEEK 40 Unit 20: Review for Final Examination What are the main learning goals for this past year in forensic science? Complete the assessment demonstrating a thorough knowledge of Final examination RST.9-10.1,2,3,4 WHST.9-10.2,4 84