HIGH SCHOOL SCIENCE CURRICULUM FORENSIC SCIENCE

Transcription

1 944 STATE ROUTE 17K MONTGOMERY, NY Telephone Number: (845) ext Fax Number: (845) HIGH SCHOOL SCIENCE CURRICULUM FORENSIC SCIENCE JULY 2015 Approved by the Board of Education JULY 27, 2015

2 Forensics uses the system of inquiry-based learning to instruct students to better understand the intricacies of the observable world around them using criminal case studies as a basis for researching information from a myriad of sources. Unit I: Introduction to Forensic Science Forensic science has developed over time due to advances in science, technology and society. There are many different types of professionals that participate in the forensics process. The current perspectives on forensic science are full of misconceptions. Forensic science is based on the advancement and integration of the core science disciplines Describe the major types of forensic scientists, their duties, qualifications, and roles they play in forensic investigation. Understand the role of the expert witness. Define the process of observation, and its role in relation to the brain and eyewitness evidence. Describe the basic legal system in the United States on the federal, state, and municipal levels. Explain the interrelationships among various disciplines in science in forensic investigation. Evaluate the validity of eyewitness testimony and evidence. 5 Days RST ,8,9 Case Study: Ted Bundy, Serial Killer

3 Unit II: The Crime Scene Evidence is present at any crime scene that can be used to determine whether a crime has been committed. Evidence can be classified into many different categories and taxonomies. Determine how evidence can be classified: direct, circumstantial, physical, biological, reconstructive or associative. Students will know and be able to distinguish between the various types of evidence present at a crime scene. Understand the contributions of forensic pathologists, entomologists and anthropologists at a crime scene. 5 Days RST ,7,8,9 Case Study: JonBenet Ramsey: Who Did it? LAB: Crime Scene Sketch Define and understand the concept of chain of custody.

4 Unit III: Physical Evidence Common types of physical evidence The examination of physical evidence Significance of physical evidence How to use forensic databases Review the common types of physical evidence encountered at crime scenes. Explain the difference between identifying and comparing physical evidence. Define individual and class characteristics of evidence. List and explain the function of national databases. 5 Days RST ,7,8,9 Case Study: Scott Peterson: A Case of Circumstantial Evidence Introduction. Saferstein and LAB: Physical or circumstantial? Classifying evidence.

5 Unit IV: Properties of Matter and the Analysis of Glass The physics of light and matter impact the analysis of evidence. The analysis of glass is often a vital component in an investigation. The two most important properties of glass are density and refractive index. Define and distinguish the physical and chemical properties of matter. Understand how to use the basic units of the metric system. Define and distinguish elements and compounds. Contrast the differences between a solid, liquid and gas. 4 Days RST ,7,8,9 Case Study: Murder and the Horse Chestnut Tree LAB: Forensic Glass Analysis

6 Unit V: Drugs Drug dependence Types of Drugs Compare and contrast psychological and physical dependence. 4 Days RST ,7,8,9 Drug-Control Laws Forensic Drug Analysis Collection and Preservation of Drug Evidence Describe the laboratory tests normally used to perform a routine drug identification analysis. Describe and explain the process of chromatography. Explain the differences between thin layer and gas chromatography. Case Study: Pablo Escobar s Columbian cocaine empire LAB: Chromatography LAB: Drug Screening Test LAB: What is this white powder?

7 Unit VI: Forensic Toxicology The Role of Forensic Toxicology Toxicology of Alcohol Testing for Intoxication The analysis of blood for alcohol Explain how alcohol is absorbed into the bloodstream, transported throughout the body and eliminated by oxidation and excretion. Understand the process by which alcohol is excreted in the breath via the lungs. 7 Days RST ,7,8,9 Case Study: Harold Shipman: The Case of Dr. Death Laws pertaining to alcohol (sale, consumption, effects of) The role of the toxicologist Understand the concepts of infrared and fuel-cell breathtesting devices for alcohol testing. LAB: ph Test LAB: Walk the Line Describe commonly employed field sobriety tests to assess alcohol impairment. List and contrast laboratory procedures for measuring the concentration of alcohol in the blood.

8 Unit VII: Forensic Serology The nature of blood Forensic characterization of bloodstains Principles of heredity Forensic characterization of semen List the antigens and antibodies found in blood. Understand and describe how whole blood is types. List and describe forensic tests used to characterize a stain as blood. 8 Days RST ,7,8,9 Case Study: The Green River Killer Collection of rape evidence. Explain how blood and semen stains are properly preserved for laboratory examination. Describe and replicate the proper collection of physical evidence involving blood and semen. LAB: Blood Typing LAB: Luminol Test

9 Unit VIII: Fingerprints The history of fingerprinting Fundamental principles of fingerprints Classification of fingerprints Automated fingerprint identification Methods of detecting fingerprints Know the common ridge characteristics of fingerprints List the three major fingerprint patterns Distinguish between visible, latent and plastic fingerprints. List the techniques for developing fingerprints derived from both non-porous and porous objects. Describe proper procedures for preserving fingerprint integrity. 8 Days RST ,7,8,9 Case Study: James Earl Ray: Conspirator or Lone Gunman Video: Fingerprinting and Ballistics LAB: Fingerprinting LAB: Who was here? Dusting for Fingerprints

10 Unit IX: DNA Understanding DNA Replication of DNA DNA Typing DNA Analysis Name the parts of a nucleotide and how they link to form DNA. Understand base-pairing in the double helix structure of DNA. Contrast protein vs base sequence DNA. Explain the technology of polymerase chain reactions and how it is used in forensic analysis. 5 Days RST ,7,8,9 Case Study: O.J. Simpson A Mountain of Evidence WEB: MyCrimeKit.com DNA Evidence Understand the use of DNA databases for correlation and identification of DNA evidence. LAB: Learning to Solve a DNA Murder Mystery LAB: Gel Electrophoresis LAB: Buccal Swab

11 Unit X: Crime Scene Reconstruction: Bloodstain Pattern Analysis Crime scene reconstruction General feature of bloodstain formation Bloodstain spatter patterns Define crime-scene reconstruction Analyze and interpret information gained from bloodstain spatter Explain how spatter is affected by different types of receptor media. 5 Days RST ,7,8,9 Case Study: The Sam Sheppard Case: A Trail of Blood Video: A Killer s Trail Understand how unique blood spatter patterns are used in forensic investigations. Create representations of varies types of blood spatter patterns. LAB: Blood Drop Analysis LAB: Blood Spatter Analysis

12 Unit XI: Hair and Fiber Evidence The structure of hair follicles is unique. Recognize and understand the structure of hair. 5 Days RST ,7,8,9 Human hair and animal hair can be distinguished using forensic analysis. Fibers can be either natural or synthetic. Fiber evidence is often vital to the success of forensic investigations. Distinguish between animal and human hair. Describe and correlate DNA evidence as it relates to follicle analysis. Understand the differences between natural and manufactured fibers. List the properties of fibers that are valuable during a forensic investigation. Case Study: The Central Park Jogger Attack WEB: CrimeandClues.com Trace Evidence/hair LAB: Trace Evidence: Hair and Fiber Analysis Describe the proper collection of hair and fiber evidence.

13 Unit XII: Forensic Pathology The body of a victim contains a wealth of evidence that can be used for forensic analysis. The human body can be identified by the measurements of skeletal and dental remains. Entomological evidence can be used to determine factors leading up to death as well as approximate time of death. Define the four manners of death and how they are identified. Understand various procedures performed during an autopsy Ascertain that time of death can be established by using core body temperature. Explain how toxicology evidence can be used to determine the mechanism of death by identifying possible drug and alcohol use. 10 Days RST ,7,8,9 Case Study: What killed Napoleon? WEB: Virtual Autopsy GUEST SPEAKER: Chief Forensic Homicide Detective for the New York State Police, Hudson Valley Crime Scene Unit. Analyze evidence of liver mortis, rigor mortis, and algor mortis. Decipher bone and skull measurements to identify victims. LAB: The Crime of the Semester