Download Somerset High School Forensic Science Curriculum

Somerset High School Forensic Science Curriculum Map
# of
Days*
3
Standards / Benchmarks
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5
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5
SIS1. Make observations, raise
questions, and formulate
hypotheses.
SIS2. Design and conduct
scientific investigations.
SIS3. Analyze and interpret
results of scientific investigations.
SIS4. Communicate and apply the
results of scientific investigations
III. Mathematical Skills
SIS1. Make observations, raise
questions, and formulate
hypotheses.
SIS2. Design and conduct
scientific investigations.
SIS1. Make observations, raise
questions, and formulate
hypotheses.
Key Concepts
Scientific Background
 Lab Safety
 Scientific Method
 Metric Conversions
Relevance & History of Forensic
Science
 Usage in civic and criminal law
 Major figures in the
development of the field
 Basics of the crime lab
 Functions of the forensic
scientist
 Careers in forensic science
The Crime Scene
 Physical evidence and the crime
scene
Instructional Resources
1. SHS lab safety contract
2. Biology: The Dynamics of Life
(Glencoe & McGraw-Hill)
Chapter 1: Forensic Science
(Saferstein)
Chapter 2: Forensic Science
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6
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10
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SIS2. Design and conduct
scientific investigations.
SIS3. Analyze and interpret
results of scientific investigations.
SIS4. Communicate and apply the
results of scientific investigations
III. Mathematical Skills
SIS1. Make observations, raise
questions, and formulate
hypotheses.
SIS2. Design and conduct
scientific investigations.
SIS3. Analyze and interpret
results of scientific investigations.
SIS4. Communicate and apply the
results of scientific investigations
III. Mathematical Skills
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Securing and recording the
crime scene
Securing and recording the
crime scene
Physical Evidence
 Types
 Examination
 Significance
SIS1, SIS2, SIS3, SIS4 (Scientific DNA as an Indispensable Forensic
Science Tool
Inquiry Skills)
 Understanding DNA
The Chemistry of Life
1.1, 1.3, 1.4
 DNA replication
Structure and Function of Cells
 PCR
2.1, 2.4
 Mitochondrial DNA
Genetics
 Collection and preservation of
3.1, 3.2, 3.3
biological evidence for DNA
analysis
(Saferstein)
Chapter 3: Forensic Science
(Saferstein)
Chapter 9: Forensic Science
(Saferstein)
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7
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7
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7
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SIS1, SIS2, SIS3, SIS4 (Scientific Forensic Sereology
Inquiry Skills)
 Microscopes
Human Anatomy and Physiology
 Nature of Blood
4.1
 Immunoassay techniques
Structure and Function of Cells
 Forensic characterization of
2.1, 2.4
blood stains
The chemistry of Life
 Blood stain patterns
1.5
SIS1, SIS2, SIS3, SIS4 (Scientific Forensic Toxicology
Inquiry Skills)
 Role of toxicology
Human Anatomy and Physiology
 Role of toxicologist
4.1
 Toxicology of alcohol
Structure and Function of Cells
 Testing for intoxication
2.1, 2.4
 Analysis of blood for alcohol
The chemistry of Life
 Alcohol and law
1.5
SIS1, SIS2, SIS3, SIS4 (Scientific Drugs
Inquiry Skills)
 Drug dependence
SIS1, SIS2, SIS3, SIS4 (Scientific
 Types of drugs
Inquiry Skills)
 Drug control laws
Human Anatomy and Physiology
 Forensic drug analysis
4.1
 Collection and preservation of
Structure and Function of Cells
drug evidence
2.1, 2.4
The chemistry of Life
1.5
Chapter 8: Forensic Science
(Saferstein)
Chapter 6: Forensic Science
(Saferstein)
Chapter 5: Forensic Science
(Saferstein)
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5
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7
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8
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5
SIS1, SIS2, SIS3, SIS4 (Scientific Trace Evidence: Hairs and Fibers
Inquiry Skills)
 Forensic examination of hair
Human Anatomy and Physiology
 Forensic examination of fibers
4.1
 Collection and preservation of
fiber eidence
SIS1, SIS2, SIS3, SIS4 (Scientific Forensic Aspects of Fire
Investigation
Inquiry Skills)
 Forensic examination of arson
The chemistry of Life
1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5
 Chemistry of fire
 Searching the fire scene
 Collection and preservation of
arson evidence
 Analysis of flammable residue
Properties
of Matter and the
SIS1, SIS2, SIS3, SIS4 (Scientific
Analysis of Glass
Inquiry Skills)
 Properties of matter
S5. Electromagnetism
 Nature of matter
S4. Waves
4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4
 Theory of light
 Physical properties of matter
 Forensic analysis of glass
SIS1, SIS2, SIS3, SIS4 (Scientific Fingerprints
Inquiry Skills)
 History of fingerprinting
 Fundamental principles of
fingerprinting
 Classification of fingerprints
 Methods of detecting
Chapter 10: Forensic Science
(Saferstein)
Chapter 12: Forensic Science
(Saferstein)
Chapter 4: Forensic Science
(Saferstein)
Chapter 14: Forensic Science
(Saferstein)
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10
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8
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5
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fingerprints
 Digital imaging for fingerprint
enhancement
SIS1, SIS2, SIS3, SIS4 (Scientific Firearms, Tool Marks and Other
Impressions
Inquiry Skills)
 Bullet and cartridge comparison
The chemistry of Life
1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5
 Automated firearm search
system
S1. Motion and Forces
S1.1, S1.2, S1.4, S1.5
 Gunpowder residue
S2. Momentum
 Primer residues on the hands
S2.5
 Serial # restoration
 Collection and preservation of
firearm evidence
 Tool marks
 Other impressions
 Laws of motion
 Momentum
 Accident reconstruction
SIS1, SIS2, SIS3, SIS4 (Scientific Trace Evidence II: Metals, Paint and
Soil
Inquiry Skills)
 Review of the principles of the
The chemistry of Life
atom, elements, molecules and
1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5
compounds
 Forensic analysis of metals
 Forensic examination of paint
 Forensic analysis of soil
Document
Examination
SIS1, SIS2, SIS3, SIS4 (Scientific
Inquiry Skills)
 Document examiner
The chemistry of Life
 Handwriting comparisons
1.2, 1.3, 1.5
Chapter 15: Forensic Science
(Saferstein)
Chapter 11: Forensic Science
(Saferstein)
Chapter 16: Forensic Science
(Saferstein)
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10
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Typescript comparisons
Alternations, erasers, and
obliterations
 Other document problems
Computer
Forensics
SIS1, SIS2, SIS3, SIS4 (Scientific
Inquiry Skills)
 How does the computer work?
 Storing and retrieving data
 Processing an electronic crime
scene
 Analysis of electronic data
SIS1, SIS2, SIS3, SIS4 (Scientific Human Remains
Inquiry Skills)
 Investigating human remains
Human Anatomy and
 The postmortem interval:
Physiology
determining the time of death
4.1
 Forensic anthropology: skeletal
remains
 Human versus animal bones
 The skeleton
SIS1, SIS2, SIS3, SIS4 (Scientific Putting it All together
Inquiry Skills)
 Case Studies
 Mock Trial
Chapter 18: Forensic Science
(Saferstein)
Chapter 12: Forensic Science
(Deslich & Funkhouser)