Forensic Science Syllabus

Forensic Science Syllabus Ms. Danielson Blog: http://cobblearning.net/ddanielson/ Email; [email protected]

Course Overview

The textbook is published by South-Western Cengage Learning, Forensic Science – Fundamentals and Investigations.

Forensics is a field of science dedicated to the methodical gathering and analysis of evidence to establish facts that can be presented in a legal proceeding. Forensic science is a very broad field of science including anthropology, chemistry, biology, genetics, entomology, mathematics, physics, odontology, reconstruction, technology, toxicology and latent print identification.

Because Forensics encompasses many fields of science, students must have a thorough understanding of biology and chemistry in order to take this class. Television has helped to generate interest in forensic science. While the class will be lab oriented and intriguing, the course work, projects and labs will be rigorous and include regular written assignments and mathematical applications. Students must be prepared to work hard!

Forensics Grade Breakdown Tests 35% Labs/ Projects 30% Quizzes 10% Test Prep 10% Final Exam 15% .

Materials needed: Binder Loose leaf paper Highlighters Colored pencils Pens, pencils Scientific calculator Project supplies when applicable Lab investigation supplies for Forensic Science In order to conduct labs in small groups for full participation, each student will need to supply ONE of the items listed below.

Please review the list and let me know which item you can bring in for lab activities.

CLEAR TAPE- CLEAR TAPE- CLEAR TAPE- CLEAR TAPE- CLEAR TAPE- NOT frosted NOT frosted NOT frosted NOT frosted NOT frosted ¾ inch wide ¾ inch wide ¾ inch wide ¾ inch wide ¾ inch wide fingerprints fingerprints fingerprints fingerprints Fingerprint

MASKING TAPE MASKING TAPE 1 BAG SPLIT PEAS Toothpicks Toothpicks Evidence Evidence DNA extraction Blood typing and Blood typing and lab OTC drugs lab OTC drugs lab Dish detergent Cardstock paper Cardstock paper Stamp pad inker Stamp pad inker DNA extraction WHITE! Fingerprint WHITE! Fingerprint (BLACK) (BLACK) lab Ten cards Ten cards Fingerprints Fingerprints Bandaids Tissues Tissues Tissues Tissues Class use Class use Class use Class use Class use

Karo syrup Karo syrup 3 X 5 Index cards 3 X 5 Index cards 3 X 5 Index cards Blood ingredients Blood ingredients Blood splatter labs Blood splatter labs Blood splatter labs

Red food color Plaster of Paris Paper towels Latex Gloves Latex gloves Blood ingredients Shoe Impressions Lab use Blood labs*** Blood labs***

Hand soap Hand soap Trash bags BLACK SHARPIES BLACK SHARPIES Lab use Lab use Blood splatter lab Packaging evidence Packaging evidence

***We only do one blood lab with real blood from a calf liver bought from the grocery store. We will use LUMINOL to see the blood fluoresce.

Other lab materials needed: DO NOT BUY THESE MATERIALS!!! (Please, just find samples at home, if you have them.) 1. 3 or more 5” x 5” samples of fabrics Clothing; bedding; carpeting; canvas; upholstery; Towels; anything!- preferably a variety of materials- Cotton, wool, silk, rayon, polyester, etc.) 2. Old paint brushes of a variety of sizes – used for dusting imprints—bristles must still be flexible. 3. Small Hair samples from PETS (Bring in a ziplock bag labeled with your name and type of pet.) We will view the hair under a microscope. All the hair looks different so a wide variety of hair makes for a more interesting lab. Hair that we have viewed in the past includes: Dog, cat, rabbit, hamster, guinea pig, bear, cow, horse, chinchilla, ferret.