Forensics
WHS Forensics Curriculum Guide
Students will apply their knowledge of science to solving “crimes” and mysteries of human history. From fingerprinting, to studying DNA evidence, to studying physical evidence, this course brings CSI into the classroom. Students will also be introduced to principles of physics. Recommended Placement: C or better in previous Science course. This course is a lab science and fulfills a unit of lab-based science for MassCore.
“Forensic sciences include any scientific field that is applied to the field of law. Forensics is a necessary factor in criminal investigations, using science to link a crime to its perpetrator. It is an excellent context to show students the diversity of scientific and technical careers, both in the lab and in the field. The interdisciplinary nature of forensics requires students to apply core ideas from different disciplines, critically analyze information, construct explanations based on evidence, and communicate findings.” (Appendix IX of Mass Frameworks)
Unit
Physical Evidence
Crime Scene Documentation
Fingerprinting
Document Analysis
Entomology
Hair and Fiber Analysis
Anthropology
Serology
Impression Evidence
DNA/ Toxicology
Timeframe
September
October
November
December
January
February
March
April
May
June
Driving Questions
- What is Forensic Science?
- What is the difference between testimony and physical evidence?
- Explain Locard’s Principle.
- What is the difference between class and individual evidence?
- What are the guidelines for admissible scientific evidence?
- What are the criteria for guilt?
- How do forensic scientists classify physical evidence collection methods?
- What are the steps to be taken for recording the crime scene?
- Describe proper techniques for packaging common types of physical evidence.
- How do crime scene technicians calculate appropriate scale for sketching crime scenes? What is the chain of custody and why is it important?
- What are fingerprints and how are the unique minutiae patterns analyzed for comparison?
- What are latent fingerprints and how are they detected, collected, and developed for analysis?
- What types of documents can be found at crime scenes and what can scientists learn by analyzing them?
- What are the 12 characteristics of handwriting? What role does handwriting analysis play in forensic investigations?
- How do the physical properties of mixtures give clues to their composition?
- What technologies are utilized in US currencies to prevent counterfeiting?
- What is Post Mortem Interval and how do environmental factors affect it?
- What are the life stages of the common blowfly?
- What are Degree-Hours and how are they used to estimate PMI?
- Can class evidence alone identify a criminal? What other types of evidence may be helpful?
- What information can hair provide?
- How are fibers used to link suspects to the crime scene or to victims?
- What can be learned from studying human remains?
- What are the bones of the human body?
- Which bones can be measured to determine age, sex, race, and stature?
- What is the difference between ante-mortem and post-mortem wounds?
- What are blood types and how do genetics and proteins determine our blood types?
- What can blood spatter patterns tell an investigator about a crime?
- How can these patterns be used to reconstruct a crime?
- What types of impressions can be found at crime scenes and what can investigators learn from them?
- How can footprints be used to reconstruct a crime scene?
- What is forensic odontology and what role does it play in forensic investigations?
- What is DNA?
- What information can DNA tell us about an individual?
- In what ways can investigators use DNA evidence in a court of law?
- In what ways should our society utilize DNA information?
Major Learning Experiences from Unit
BTK Case Study: assess the evidence
Evidence Collection Guidelines research presentation
Crime Scene Sketch Challenge: create an authentic crime scene sketch
Fingerprint lab: analyze and determine unique fingerprint patterns
Famous Case Study: Research presentation
Chromatography Lab
Species Separation Lab
Case of Lyle and Louise
Microscope skills activities
Hair and Fiber Labs
Bones Tell Your Height Lab
Sherlock Bones Lab
Famous Case Study: Video Vignette
oint of Origin
Triangulation Challenge
Famous Case Study: Mini-Crime Scene Diorama
Lengthy Relationships Lab
Famous Case Study: Depositors Trust Bank Robbery
Gel Electrophoresis Lab
DNA Database Debate
Unknown Substance Lab