Criminology MODULAR TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION. Scope & Sequence 81450

Transcription

1 MODULAR TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION Criminology Scope & Sequence Published by Hearlihy P.O. Box 1747 Pittsburg, KS Web site:

2 Module Description & Goals Criminology is the scientific study of crime. It was the writings of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the creator of the famous fictional detective Sherlock Holmes, which made criminology popular and perhaps opened the door for the use of scientific methods and detection in criminal investigations. He demonstrated the necessity of comparing evidence, fingerprinting, and identifying firearms, as well as other methods used today, to solve crimes. The crime labs of today are much more sophisticated. They provide services in many areas of science including physical science, biology, chemistry, firearms, document examination, photography, toxicology (drugs and poisons), fingerprints, polygraphs (lie detector), voiceprint analysis, pathology (study of the causes of death and disease), entomology (study of insects), psychiatry, odontology (study of teeth), anthropology (identification and examination of bones), and engineering. Criminology is based on the idea that when a crime is committed, the criminal brings something to the scene of the crime and leaves something behind. A criminal can be identified by as little as a hair, a fingerprint, or one DNA strand. It is the job of the crime lab scientists and investigators to piece together evidence and witness testimony to find out the truth behind a crime. In the Criminology module, students complete 10 activities learning about the history and development of forensic science and the tools used in the investigation of crimes. They complete exercises to learn about crime lab methods, use software designed to help witnesses create pictures of criminals, and complete simulations of DNA tests. Students learn how to process a crime scene by practicing observation skills, learning interviewing skills, sketching the crime scene, lifting fingerprints, and identifying pertinent evidence. In Activities 1 through 9, students use books, videos, computer software, and various kits to learn about criminology and forensic science. In Activity 10, students complete a posttest to help them evaluate what they have learned. 1

3 The Criminology module offers students an opportunity to: Define criminology and forensic science and summarize their characteristics. Describe the purpose of a crime lab. Describe how a crime scene is processed. Differentiate between interviewing and interrogating. Use software to develop a facial composite that graphically recreates crime suspects. Conduct a variety of experiments that simulate work accomplished in crime labs. Discover how to search and sketch a crime scene. Demonstrate their powers of observation. Identify the types and significance of physical evidence. Describe the organization and services of crime laboratories. Discover the functions of a forensic scientist. Recognize how forensic dentistry and organic analysis can be helpful in an investigation. Explain how teeth impressions are used for identification. Examine hair, fiber, and dirt samples for distinguishing characteristics. Investigate how detectives use ballistics to solve crimes. Discover how chemistry can be useful in solving crimes. Analyze the physical and chemical properties of powders. Describe several methods of analyzing documents. Analyze handwriting samples using several methods. Experiment with chromatography and how it is used to identify ink. Explore the forensic use of lasers and computers. Identify several methods of fingerprinting and describe when they are used. Classify fingerprint patterns and recognize how they are used for identification. Describe methods of detecting and preserving fingerprints. Practice making, lifting, and classifying fingerprints. Make and classify lip prints and recognize how they are used for identification. Define DNA and explain how DNA fingerprinting is used in crime detection. Construct chromosomes with the genes of specific traits. Observe the structure of DNA and identify a DNA fingerprint. Compare DNA evidence to the DNA fingerprints of several suspects. Create a DNA fingerprint using the PCR method. Describe the process of DNA Replication (PCR). Construct DNA strands and use the PCR method to copy them. Discover various jobs, careers, and occupations associated with criminology. 2

4 Interdisciplinary Skills The Criminology module reinforces various skills the students are learning in other classes. Technology involves the practical application and use of math and science. The Modular Technology Education program is an activity-based, hands-on learning system; therefore, students gain a practical understanding of many interdisciplinary skills. Some of the interdisciplinary skills implemented in this module are listed below. Language Arts Read daily instructions for comprehension. Gather and record information. Present information to be read by others. Explore criminology terminology. Practice interviewing skills. Recognize the importance of literature as something that can guide society. Write answers to short-answer questions requiring creative thinking. Summarize daily activities (Activity Journal Entry option). Summarize module outcomes (Module Journal Entry option). Math Work with familiar measurements and rates (inches, feet, yards, and so on). Use a ruler and measure to the nearest 1/2 inch. Use a grid search pattern. Predict how something might look at different levels of magnification. Sketch a room to scale and use a key to show significant evidence locations. Analyze information to find patterns. Problem-Solving Conceptualize the solutions to a problem. Use a software program to create the picture of a criminal based off of information from a witness. Determine what questions should be asked of a witness. Identify pertinent evidence at a crime scene. 8

5 Science Express ideas with computer designs (understanding the scientific process of observation and collecting data). Differentiate between two ideas. Identify the components of criminology and forensic science. Explain how the scientific method is used in criminology. Explore the jobs of different scientists who work in crime labs. Explain how our senses are crucial to piecing together a crime. Discover how a human body creates fingerprints. Explore the process of lifting both visible and latent fingerprints. Identify the types of patterns common to fingerprints. Use a magnifying glass to identify organic material. Differentiate between organic and inorganic. Complete experiments to analyze chemical properties of certain mixtures. Explore chromatography. Analyze handwriting using several different methods. Describe DNA and its characteristics including where it can be found. Explain the process of duplication DNA and how it is used to identify individuals. Social Studies Explore the history of criminology and forensic science. Recognize the importance of a criminal suspect s rights. Recognize how history and development have brought criminology to its present level. Recognize how technology makes work more efficient and identifying criminals easier. 9

6 Career Opportunities Each MTE module is designed to introduce students to and provide them with an understanding of a different area of technology, thus helping them to become more technologically literate. Becoming technologically literate helps students to become better consumers and increases their knowledge of potential career opportunities. This Criminology module is designed to introduce students to the history, development, use, and application of criminology and forensic science. Listed below are some possible occupations and careers associated with this technology. You may want to obtain the latest publication of the Occupational Outlook Handbook published by the U.S. Department of Labor. As an optional careeroriented activity, you could have students research one of the job titles below in regard to the nature of the work, specific job tasks, earnings, advancement possibilities, and so forth. Then, have them write a short report or summary of their findings. This will enable students to begin thinking about career opportunities. At the very least, students should be made aware of this publication for future reference. (See Enrichment Activity 2 in the Student Lesson Plan for a career activity.) Anthropologists Artists and related workers Biological scientists Biological technicians Chemists and materials scientists Customs agents Dental technicians Dentists Detectives Engineers Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agents Fire investigators Forensic technicians Highway patrol officers Judges, magistrates, and other judicial workers Laboratory technicians Lawyers Legal investigators Medical doctors Medical technicians Medical scientists Photographers Police officers Private detectives and investigators Psychiatrists Psychologists Sheriffs U. S. Marshals 10