forensic science/ crime scene investigation - syracuse, … science csi.pdf · chemistry, medicine...

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73SYRACUSE CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION PROGRAM / 2015-2016

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 withscientifically-based information through the analysis of physical evidence.

As a student in the Forensic Science/CSI pathway at the Public Service Leadership Academy atFowler you’’ll be exposed to the real, everyday life of a crime scene investigator, gaining knowledgeand 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

Forensic Science/Crime Scene Investigation

CTE Forensic Science 6/19/15 4:32 PM



Course of Study Forensic Science/Crime Scene Investigation

DISTRICT REQUIREMENTS

Students must pass CTE CSI: Forensic Science 100, 200and 300 to challenge the course approved technicalassessment.

n All students in 9th grade will receive Career and Financial Management and CTE Exploratory classes.

n Student will have earned the 11th grade integrated science credit upon successful completion of the Forensic Science 100 and 200.

n Student will have earned the 12th grade integrated ELA credit upon successful completion of the Forensic Science 100,200 and 300.

n Student will receive the CTE Endorsement upon successful completion of the Forensic Science Program and must pass the prescribed technical assessment and completion of a commencement level project.

7th Grade 8th Grade 9th Grade 10th Grade 11th Grade 12th Grade

n 7th Grade CC n 8th Grade CC n CTE Exploratory n CTE ForensicScience 100 (CSI100)(1 CTE Credit)

n CTE ForensicScience 200 (CSI200)(2 CTE Credits)

n CTE ForensicScience IntegreatedScience(CTE300)(1 Credit)

n CTE ForensicScience 300 (CSI300)(2 CTE Credits)

n CTE ForensicScience IntegreatedELA(CTE400)(1 Credit)

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COURSE DESCRIPTIONForensic science is the application of scientific knowledge toquestions 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 tosolve legal problems. This course will focus on collection andanalysis of crime scene evidence and lab analysis techniquesand the ability to clearly and concisely explain the results ofthe labs and techniques used, and present details of theanalysis in lab reports. The course requires students to applybasic understandings of physics, chemistry, biology and mathto explore the range of topics in this diverse field of study.

COURSE OBJECTIVES1. Students will understand the history of the forensic sciences

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 ACADEMICSN/A

EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIESn School will provide: TBDn Student will provide: TBD

TEXTBOOKFunkhouser, Charles and Barbara Ball-Deslich. ForensicScience for High School, Second Edition. Dubuque, Iowa:Kendall Hunt, 2009.

GRADING20% 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 POLICIESn It is your responsibility to ask about any missed work!n If you had an excused absence, you will have one day for

each day missed to make up any work to receive credit.n If you were present on the day an assignment was

announced, then you are responsible for that assignment onthe day you return.

n If the absence is known about in advance, you should contact me before the absence to receive the work you will miss.

n 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 Syllabus Forensic Science/Crime Scene Investigation

Course Calendar Forensic Science/Crime Scene Investigation

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1n Safety and Scientific Methodn History of Forensic Sciencen Legal System and

The Role Forensics Playsn Crime Scene Investigation

2n Forensic Glass Analysisn Forensic Hair and

Fiber Analysisn Paintn Footwear and Tire Impressionsn Fingerprints

3n Forensic Serology/DNAn Forensic Toxicologyn Controlled Substancesn Questioned Documentsn Firearms and Tool Marks

4n Forensic Anthropologyn Criminal Psychologyn Crime Scene Photographyn Cross Curricular Case Studies

with Culinaryn Cross Curricular Case Studies

with Automotiven Review For Final Examination

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Scope and Sequence Forensic Science/Crime Scene Investigation

Time FrameUnit of Study Key Questions

Key Learning Targets(Students will know

and be able to)Assessment

Evidence of LearningCTE

StandardsCCLS Literacy,Math, Science

WEEKS 1-3

Unit 1: Safety and Scientific Method

• Why is lab safety vitalin science?

• How are the basics ofscience used inforensics?

• How does scientificreasoning help in dailylife?

• How can scientificmethods help solveeveryday problems?

• 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

• Demonstrate safepractices in labs andfield investigations

• Demonstrate how touse and conserveresources in labs andhow to dispose of orrecycle materials in labs

• Define science andthe scientific method

• Differentiate betweenscientific hypothesesand scientific theories

• Explain how thescientific method isused to answerquestions and solvecases in forensics

• Use the scientificmethod to solve aninvestigation, includingall the steps of themethod and anexperiment

• Analyze, evaluate andcritique scientificexplanations by usingdata, logical reasoning,and observations

• Communicate andapply scientificinformation fromcurrent events as wellas published articles

• Draw inferences fromdata related toservices and products

• Demonstrateconversions ofmeasurements fromEnglish toInternational Systems(SI) units

• Distinguish betweenphysical and chemicalproperties

• Determine theelements within acompound or mixture

• Identify four types ofchemical reactions

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WEEKS 4-5

Unit 2: The History ofForensic Science

• What are someexamples of careers inforensic science?

• What is legally andethically expected offorensic scientists andCrime SceneInvestigators?

• Who’s Who inForensic Science?

• What role dopathologists andanthropologists play inforensic science?

• Careers in ForensicScience quiz; ethicalstandards in forensicscience quiz; Historyof forensic science quiz

• Historical timelineposter

• Role of ForensicPathologists andAnthologists Quiz

• Design Forensic CareerBrochure

• Distinguish betweenforensic science andcriminalistics in law,public safety, correct-ions and security

• Identify the roles,functions andresponsibilities offorensic scienceprofessionals

• Explore and identifyvarious fields ofexpertise in forensicscience

• Discuss the differenteducation and trainingrequirements for thevarious careers inforensic science

• Summarize the ethicalstandards of aforensic scientist

• Re-evaluate themethods of processingand analyzing traceevidence commonlyfound in a crime scene

• Recognize theprocedures ofevidence collectionwhile maintaining theintegrity of a crimescene

• Explore the historyand legalresponsibilities offorensic science

• Recognize the majorcontributors to thedevelopment offorensic science

• Illustrate the history offorensic science

• Analyze the role offorensic pathologistsand anthropologists ininvestigations

• Identify career-relatedinformation that isrelative to makingcareer decisions

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WEEKS 6-7

Unit 3: The Legal System andthe Role of Forensics

WEEKS 8-9

Unit 4: Crime SceneInvestigation

WEEKS 10-11

Unit 5: Forensic GlassAnalysis

• What are thedistinguishing dutiesfor various forensicspecialists, and howdoes the legal systemcontrol theseresponsibilities?

• What procedures areimplemented at acrime scene and whyare they important?

• How do crime sceneinvestigators examineglass?

• Legal Systems Exam• Analysis of forensic

mistakes during O.J.Simpson trial

• Legal SystemsCrossword Puzzle

• Admission intoEvidence Court CasesResearch

• Crime Scene Sketch• Mock Crime Scene

Investigation and DataTable

• Forensic GlassAnalysis Experiment

• Density of Glass: TheFlotation Method

• Forensic Glass Quizand Exam

• Provide similaritiesand differencesbetween forensics andcriminalistics

• Explain the differentduties of eachforensic unit

• Describe the legalresponsibilities offorensic scienceprofessionals withinand outside of thecourtroom

• Work as a productivemember of a team

• Conduct a systematicsearch of a mockcrime scene

• Demonstrate crimescene sketching

• Demonstrate correcttechniques ofcollecting andpackaging evidence ata crime scene

• Calculate the directionof a projectile byexamining glassfractures

• Compare thecomposition of glassfragments

• Correctly process traceevidence (examplesare fibers, blood, hair,glass or soil) collectedin a simulated crimescene

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Weeks 12-13

Unit 6:Forensic Hair andFiber Analysis

WEEKS 14-15

Unit 7: Paint

• What are thedifferences betweenclass characteristicsand individualcharacteristics?

• How are the propertiesof light used in thecollection and analysisof trace evidence?

• How can paint chipsbe observed,compared, and usedto prove ownership?

• Characteristics of HairScales Lab

• Trace Evidence Quizand Exam

• Forensic Use of LightExam

• Forensic Use of LightTechnology Quiz

• Flame Demonstration• Basic Use of a

Microscope Lab• Observing Refractive

Index (RI) in FibersLab

• Light Diffraction HairDiameter Lab

• Refractive Index (RI)of Glass bySubmersion Lab

• Paint LayerDetermination

• Forensic PaintAnalysis Quiz

• Forensic PaintCrossword Puzzle

• Identify the racial andsomatic origin ofunknown hairs basedon their characteristics

• Compare and contrastbetween human andanimal hairs

• Distinguish betweennatural and syntheticfibers

• Examine the subtledifferences betweenquestioned and knownsamples of hairs andfibers

• Describe theelectromagneticspectrum and lightcharacteristic such aswaves, wavelength,frequency, and speed

• Explain and utilizescientific technology,such as variousmicroscopes, type oflasers, and thespectrophotometer,that apply the propertiesof light to investigatetrace evidence

• Determine the identityof trace evidence byapplying scientifictheories of light suchas light refraction,diffraction, dispersionand the atomicemission spectrum

• Identify the differentcomponents ofautomobile paint

• Characterize themicroscopicexamination of paint

• List and define thetechniques used inpaint comparisons

• Understand how toproperly collect andpreserve paint evidence

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Scope and SequenceForensic Science/Crime Scene Investigation






WEEKS 16-17

Unit 8: Footwear and Tire Impressions

WEEKS 18-20

Unit 9: Fingerprints

• How is impressionevidence examined?

• How and when wasthe science offingerprintsdiscovered?

• What are therequirements for aquality set offingerprints?

• How do they developfingerprints that maynot be visible?

• Footwear ImpressionsLab

• Footwear ImpressionsComparison

• Poster on history offingerprinting with atimeline

• Research Paper ofIAFIS

• History ofFingerprinting Quiz

• Quality tenprint ofstudent and anotherperson.

• Quiz on fingerprintpatterns

• Development of LatentPrints Lab

• Latent FingerprintsQuiz

• Distinguish betweenvarious types ofimpression evidence

• Differentiate betweenclass and individualcharacteristics

• Collect and preservefootwear impressionleft on soil by plastercasting

• Identify the majorcontributor to thedevelopment offingerprinting

• Illustrate the history offingerprinting

• Explain the AutomaticFingerprintIdentification System

• Explain the factorsaffecting fingerprints

• Obtain qualityfingerprintimpressions of anotherperson

• Compare the threemajor fingerprintpatterns of arches,loops, and whorls, andtheir respectivesubclasses

• Identify the factorsaffecting fingerprints

• Select appropriatetechniques for thedevelopment of latentprints on varioussurfaces

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WEEKS 21-22

Unit 10: ForensicSerology/DNA

WEEKS 23-24

Unit 11: Forensic Toxicology

WEEKS 25-26

Unit 12: Controlled Substances

• What is serology andhow is it used to solvecrimes?

• What is DNA andwhere is it found?

• How can DNA beassociated with crimescenes?

• What is a toxicsubstance?

• What is a drug?• What is the difference

between an illicit drugand a controlledsubstance?

• Blood Laboratory• Punnett Square Blood

Type Activity• Forensic Serology

Exam• Blood Quiz• DNA Extraction from

Strawberries orBanana.

• PCR- Lewinsky/ClintonScandal Activity

• DNA Quiz

• ChromatographyLaboratory

• Blood AlcoholDetermination

• Forensic ToxicologyExam

• Analysis of WhitePowders Lab

• Controlled SubstancesExam

• Identify characteristicsof human blood

• Determine genetics ofthe human red bloodsystem

• Analyze bloodstainpatterns based onsource, direction, andangle of trajectory

• Diagram the DNAmolecule

• Explain thepolymerase chainreaction laboratoryprocedures

• Demonstrate how topackage, collect, and analyze DNA from a simulatedcrime scene

• Analyze physical andchemical properties ofevidence collectedfrom a crime scene

• Identify and exploretoxicology labprocedures, such asblood alcoholconcentrations

• Compare the types ofdrug dependence

• Characterize types ofdrugs

• Differentiate betweenscreening andconfirmation test fordrugs

• Identify propercollection andpreservation methodsfor drug evidence

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WEEKS 27-28

Unit 13: QuestionedDocuments

WEEKS 29-30

Unit 14: Firearms and Tool Marks

• Why is the field ofquestioneddocuments importantin forensic science?

• How do crime sceneinvestigators examinetool mark impressions,bullet fragments, andbullet holes?

• Characteristics ofHandwriting Lab

• Forgery HandwritingLab

• Ink ChromatographyLab

• Documents andForgery Assignment

• QuestionedDocumentsExamination

• Tool Mark AnalysisExperiment

• Firearms andTrajectory Activity

• Firearms and ToolMarks Examination

• Firearms and ToolMarks CrosswordPuzzle

• Determine why aquestioned documentis and identifyexamples of it

• Analyze handwritingand identify itsindividualcharacteristics

• Identify what FISH isand its importance

• Recognize differenttypes of altereddocuments and thetechniques used toanalyze them

• Apply knowledge thatink is a mixture andbe able todemonstrate itscomponents

• Apply knowledge offorensics to real lifecases

• Differentiate betweenknown andmanufacturedmaterials, such asforgeries andcounterfeits

• Explain the individualcharacteristics of toolmarks

• Recognizecharacteristics ofbullet and cartridgecases

• Explain laboratorymethodologies used todetermine whether anindividual has fired aweapon, such asidentifying gunshotresidue

• Recognize the type ofinformation availablethrough the NationalIntegrated BallisticsInformation Network







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WEEKS 31-32

Unit 15: Forensic Anthropology

WEEKS 33-34

Unit 16: Criminal Psychology

• What is forensicanthropology and whatcan it tell us abouthuman remains?

• What is criminalpsychology and whatdoes it tell us aboutcriminal behavior?

• Can we create aprofile of a criminal/serial killer?

• Forensic Anthropology Exam

• Bone Quiz• Who Is The Skeleton

in the Closet? Lab• One Bite

Out of Crime ForensicOdontology Lab

• Forensic Entomology Lab

• Bone ReviewCrossword Puzzle

• Criminal Psychologyand Profiling Exam

• Garbagology Lab: One Man’s Trash Is a Profiler’s Treasure!

• Analysis of SerialKillers

• Fake Book Criminal Lab

• Review the majorbones of the humanskeletal system

• Compare thecomposition andstructure of humanand animal bones

• Describe thetechniques used toexcavate bones

• Determine the uniquecharacteristic of anindividual (such asage, gender, race, andheight) from his or herbones

• Explain the role ofForensic Odontologyand analyze own teethfor distinctiveness

• Explain the processesand timelines ofhuman death anddecomposition

• Identify characteristicsof ForensicEntomology

• List the keycontributor to andtheir work in the fieldof criminal profiling

• Explain the stages ofthe criminal profilingprocess

• Differentiate betweenthe roles of theinvestigator and theprofiler





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WEEKS 35-36

Unit 17: Crime ScenePhotography

WEEKS 37-38

Unit 18: Cross Curricular CaseStudies with Culinary

WEEK 39

Unit 19: Cross Curricular Case Studies withAutomotive

WEEK 40

Unit 20: Review forFinal Examination

• How does crime scenephotography differfrom regularphotography?

• How can aphotographic recordthat could be used incourt be produced?

• How can we use thereactions in culinaryscience to study thechemistry in forensicscience?

• How can accidents bereconstructed?

• How can it bedetermined if avehicle has beentampered with or if itwas accidental?

• What are the mainlearning goals for thispast year in forensicscience?

• Scavenger Hunt Photo Results

• Reading andQuestions on ForensicPhotography

• Presentation of crimescene photos usingiMovie

• Newton’s Law ofCooling: Spuds

• Carbohydrates andapplication toChemistry

• Phase Changes:Melting Apples

• Physical vs. ChemicalChanges: Butter

• Evaluation of itemswith similar chemicalcomposition: HowSweet It Is

• Accident SceneReconstructionWorksheets

• Hands on laboratory inthe automotive bayAnalysis ofautomobile’scondition.

• Final examination

• Identify equipmentand materials neededto operate digitalcameras

• Produce qualityphotographs of crimescenes including aphotography log

• Use proper lightingand exposurephotographing a crimescene

• Process the picturesusing Photoshop topresent as evidence incourt

• Produce a finalpresentation of thecrime scene photosusing iMovie

• Demonstrate anunderstanding of keychemistry conceptslearned via theculinary crosscurricular laboratories

• Perform vehicularaccidentreconstruction

• Analyze a vehicle’scondition tounderstand if ascenario is anaccident or onpurpose

• Complete theassessmentdemonstrating athorough knowledge offorensic science







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