Survey in Forensics Grades 11 and 12 F.1 Teamwork and deductive reasoning play an important role in forensic science. Core Theme: Understanding forensic science. What is forensic science and why are teamwork and deductive reasoning significant to this particular area of study? explain the importance of forensic science. understand the importance of deductive reasoning in forensic science. demonstrate the importance of teamwork in forensic science. Guiding Question: Why are teamwork and deductive reasoning important elements to understanding forensic science? The importance of teamwork and deductive reasoning are important in the application of forensic science. 1
F.2 Evidence obtained by forensic science is valuable in a court of law. Core Theme: Probative value of evidence. Guiding Question: What type of evidence is valuable in a court of law? What is probative value and why is it the single most important aspect of forensic science? understand the meaning and importance of probative value in forensic science. How does physical evidence compare to eyewitness testimony in a court of law? compare and contrast physical evidence to eyewitness testimony and understand the importance of each in a court of law. Certain types of evidence are more valuable in court than other types of evidence. 2
F.3 The techniques used to process a crime scene and legal requirements can affect the probative value of evidence. Core Theme: Crime scene processing. Guiding Question: How and why do we process a crime scene, what are the requirements of law in this process, and how can this affect the probative value of evidence obtained at the scene? The crime scene must be processed under the requirements of law in order to ensure that the evidence is useful in a court of law. What does the law require when processing a crime scene? understand the requirements of law when processing a crime scene. recognize constitutional issues and rules of evidence. How and why is a crime scene processed? demonstrate how to process a crime scene properly. explain why the processing of a crime scene is important to forensic science. c. Essential Question: How do the techniques of processing a crime scene affect the probative value of the evidence obtained there? analyze how the proper techniques of processing of a crime scene can affect the probative value of evidence obtained there. 3
F.4 Anthropology plays an important role in forensic science and the in the courtroom. Core Theme: Forensic anthropology What is forensic anthropology and what human attributes can be determined by examining skeletal remains? describe forensic anthropology. research ways that skeletal remains can be classified and identified. Guiding Question: How is anthropology used in forensic science and what is its probative value? What are the many uses of forensic anthropology and what is its probative value? demonstrate and investigate some uses of forensic anthropology. illustrate the probative value of forensic anthropology. Forensic anthropology can be used in a variety of ways to solve crimes and scientific mysteries in and out of court. 4
F.5 Fingerprints and footprints can have probative value in forensic science. Core Theme: The role of fingerprints and footprints in forensic science. Guiding Question: What is the value are fingerprints and footprints in forensic science? Fingerprints and footprints are important to forensic science and have probative value. How is fingerprint evidence collected and analyzed? collect fingerprint evidence. analyze fingerprint evidence. What is the probative value of fingerprint evidence? demonstrate and investigate the probative value of fingerprint evidence. c. Essential Question: How is footprint evidence collected and analyzed? collect footprint evidence. analyze footprint evidence. d. Essential Question: What is the probative value of footprint evidence? demonstrate and investigate the probative value of footprint evidence. 5
F.6 There are many types of trace evidence, and its probative value depends on how the evidence is handled and processed at a crime scene. What are the different types of trace evidence found at a crime scene? research different types of trace evidence at a crime scene. Core Theme: Trace evidence Guiding Question: How are the different types of trace evidence used in a forensic investigation, and how does the way evidence is processed affect its probative value? How does the processing of trace evidence at a crime scene affect its probative value? demonstrate and investigate the probative value of trace evidence and explain how the processing of this evidence can affect its value. The different types of trace evidence used in a forensic investigation and the way evidence is processed affect its probative value. 6
F.7 Blood spatter evidence has probative value in forensic science. What is the probative value of blood spatter evidence? demonstrate and investigate the probative value of blood spatter evidence. Core Theme: Blood spatter evidence Guiding Question: What is the probative value of blood spatter evidence? Blood spatter evidence is very important in a court of law. 7
F.8 Toxicology evidence has probative value in forensic science. Core Theme: Toxicology Guiding Question: What is the importance and probative value of toxicology in forensic science? What is toxicology and what are some of its uses? investigate and demonstrate the uses of toxicology in forensic science. What is the probative value of toxicology? describe the probative value of toxicology in forensic science. Toxicology is very important in a court of law. 8
F.9 Entomology evidence has probative value in forensic science. Core Theme: Forensic entomology Guiding Question: How is forensic entomology used and what is its probative value? What is forensic entomology and what are some of its uses? recognize and research the uses of forensic entomology. investigate and analyze evidence using forensic entomology. What is the probative value of forensic entomology? describe the probative value of forensic entomology. Forensic entomology is useful and has probative value. 9
F.10 Patterns of criminal behavior can be analyzed using psychological profiling. Core Theme: The criminal mind How does criminal profiling work, and why is it important to a criminal investigation? research and describe how a criminal profiler uses psychological information to assist in solving a criminal investigation. Guiding Question: What causes people to commit crimes and how does a criminal profiler use this information? A criminal profiler must understand the criminal mind in order to assist in a criminal investigation. 10