Download The Chemistry and Physics of Forensics Course Expectations

The Chemistry and Physics of Forensics
Course Objectives and Requirements
Instructor:
Office:
Office Hours:
E-mail:
Class Web Page:
Ms. Katherine Grobsky
323
Monday/Wednesday 2:15-3:30; Other times by appointment
[email protected]
www.waterfordschools.org//Domain/456
CPF is a science class designed to allow for student mastery of the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)
for physical science in a fun and engaging manner, using the field of Forensic Science. Important chemistry and
physics concepts will be taught through hands on forensic investigations. This course is designed to help
students see how science is used to answer real questions in the real world. Students will have the
opportunity to be scientists, not just students who study science.
"Wherever he steps, whatever he touches, whatever he leaves, even unconsciously, will serve
as a silent witness against him.”
Professor Edmond Locard, father of Locard's Exchange Principle
Forensics is a diverse field, and rarely are forensic scientists people who specialize in all aspects of forensic
science. Forget what you see on CSI. Forensic scientists rarely interview suspects or make arrests, and they are
not experts in all areas of forensic investigations. Rather, forensic experts usually specialize in one or two
branches of forensic investigation. This course will specifically focus on how chemistry and physics are used in
the field of forensic science.
Chemists may specialize in forensic toxicology or arson analysis. People with expertise in physics may focus on
firearms and ballistics or blood spatter analysis. These topics will be the foundations for this course.
Course Expectations
1. Treat your classmates with respect. We are all equal in this class and you will be expected to treat each
other in a manner that is appropriate. This means that you will not use foul language, interrupt when
someone is speaking or deliberately distract the class. Cheating will not be tolerated. Waterford High
School administration and your parents will be notified.
2. Cell phones should be kept away unless I ask you to use them for an activity. Studies have shown that the
distraction provided by a cell phone causes students to perform 20% below their ability on assignments –
that’s two whole letter grades! PLEASE- keep your phone use to a minimum in my classroom. I respect
your need to use it, but please respect my time to teach you.
3. Follow all safety rules in the lab. This includes no food or beverages allowed in the classroom during labs.
I have zero tolerance for disruptive behavior, especially in lab. It is simply too dangerous. You will be
removed immediately from lab and receive a zero should disruptive behavior occur or if you do not follow
safety procedures. A request for your permanent removal from the class could occur if your behavior
continues.
4. We will be creating an interactive notebook over the course of the semester. You are required to have a 3
ring binder (preferably 2” thick) that you will bring with you to every class. Please see me if you are
unable to get a binder and I will get one for you.
Grading
Grading is based on a point system for this class. For example, if a homework assignment is out of ten points
and you had one incorrect answer, your grade would be 9/10. Percentages will be used to give more weight to
certain assignments such as tests and projects.
Assessments
There will be 2 to 3 tests given each quarter. These tests will be
factored in as 25% of your grade
Lab work
You will be evaluated based on your participation and the
completion of the required work. These assignments will have the
greatest influence on your grade in this course. Labs will be worth
40% of your quarter grade.
Homework
Homework is designed to help reinforce the work we do in class.
Homework will count as 10% of your quarter grade.
Classwork
Class Participation
Notebook
Your role in this class is very important. In order to be successful
you will need to take part in all activities. This will be worth 25% of
your quarter grade.
Course Outline
Unit 1 - The Basics of Becoming a Forensic Scientist
This introductory unit provides an overview of chemistry, the scientific method and the role of forensic scientists.
Methods of classifying matter and the changes they undergo are emphasized.
Lesson
General Overview
Topics Covered
 Syllabus
1
Welcome!
 Safety
Becoming a Forensic Scientist – The Scientific
 Steps of the scientific method applied to the crime
2
Method
scene
3
Types of Physical Evidence
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Pure substances
Elements
Compounds
Mixtures
4
Physical Evidence Collection
5
Preserving Physical Evidence
6
Evidence Analysis
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SI units
Metric system prefixes
Derived SI units (density and temperature)
Sig figs
Precision
Accuracy
Physical properties
Physical changes
Chemical properties
Chemical changes
Separation of mixtures
Unit 2 - Chemical Nature of Evidence
How chemists represent chemical formulas and name substances are explained from the perspective of how these
are derived. The periodic table is used to predict the charges and formulas of monatomic and polyatomic ions.
Lesson
General Overview
Topics Covered
 Dalton, Thomson, Rutherford, Bohr
 Electrons, protons, and neutrons
 Isotopes
1
The Evolution of the Atomic Theory
 Atomic number
 Mass number
 Element symbols
 Organization of the periodic table
2
Atomic Structure and the Periodic Table
 Classifying the elements on the periodic table
 Formation of ionic compounds
3
Elements, Compounds, and Chemical Formulas  Formation of molecular compounds
 Notation of a chemical formula (subscripts)
 Learning the common ions and determining
oxidation numbers
4
Writing Formulas for Ionic Compounds
 Writing formulas for binary and ternary ionic
compounds
 Writing formulas of transition metal compounds
 Naming binary and ternary ionic compounds
5
Naming Ionic Compounds
 Naming transition metal compounds
Writing and Naming Formulas for Molecular
 Names and formulas of binary molecular
6
Compounds
compounds
Unit 3 - Identification of Chemical Evidence
Mole, mass or particle ratios based on a chemical formula are used to determine the experimental proportions of
the elements present in a compound. Calculations of percent composition by mass, empirical formulas, true
molecular formulas are illustrated.
Lesson
General Overview
Topics Covered
 Atomic mass and the periodic table
1
Measuring Atoms in the Laboratory
 Avogadro’s number and the mole
 Molar mass
2
Using the Mole as a Unit
 Using dimensional analysis to convert between mass, moles,
3
4
Identifying Unknown Substances using
Mass Spectroscopy
Identifying Unknown Substances using
Mass Spectroscopy
5
Identifying Type of Evidence Through
Chemical Reactions
6
Chemical Equation Basics
and number of atoms/molecules
Law of Definite Composition
Calculating % composition
Determining empirical formulas
Determining molecular formulas from empirical formulas
Law of Conservation of Matter
Interpretation of chemical equations
Coefficients vs. subscripts
Writing a balanced chemical equation
Balancing chemical equations by inspection
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Unit 4 - Accident Reconstruction
The nature of exothermic versus endothermic reactions will be studied by calorimetry experiments. Stoichiometry
and Hess’ Law will be applied to calculate energy changes that occur.
Lesson
General Overview
1
Newton’s Laws
2
Conservation of Momentum
3
Topics Covered
 Types of energy
 Units of energy
 Transferring energy
 Physical Properties
 Comparing Glass Fragments
 Glass Fractures
 Collection and Preservation of Glass Evidence
Law of Conservation of Energy 
First Law of Thermodynamics
Unit 5 - Identifying Evidence in an Explosion
How does residue from an explosion provide investigators with the name, type and shipping information of an
explosive used in a crime? The nature of heat transfer, gas laws and the kinetic molecular theory will be
applied to data collected from explosions. Gas spectroscopy and atomic emissions data will be used to analyze
materials used in an explosion. Physics topics associated with thrust and sound will also be explored.
Lesson
General Overview
1
Heat
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Heat transfer
Exothermic vs. endothermic
2
Types of Reactions
Combustion
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Combustion reactions
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Searching the Fire Scene
Collection and Preservation of Arson Evidence
Momentum
3
Projectile Motion and
Center of Mass
Topics Covered
4
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Collection and Analysis of Explosives
Newton's second and third laws will be used to investigate when a system
expels or accelerates mass in one direction. Concepts of mass, force and
acceleration will be discussed.
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Types of waves
Pressure and longitudinal waves
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Atomic spectroscopy
Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer
Thrust
5
Sound Waves
6
Colors
Unit 7 - Identifying Evidence with a Weapons Analysis
Ballistics is a field of forensics that allows a firearms examiner to determine if a particular bullet or cartridge
case was fired from a specific firearm. This determination can be made thanks to small, often microscopic
markings on bullets or cartridge cases that are unique to ammunition fired from that firearm.
Lesson General Overview
Topics Covered
 Velocity
1
Ballistic Pendulum  Conversation of Momentum
 Conversation of Energy
 Heat
 Determining Caliber & Gun Type from Bullets & Shell Casings
2
Sparking Bullet
 Determining Weapons Firing from Gunshot Residue
Unit 8 - Identifying Evidence with a Blood Spatter
Students will recognize and analyze bloodstain patterns on a variety of surfaces. Data will be used to support
Newton’s second law of motion and describe the mathematical relationship among the net force on a
macroscopic object, its mass, and its acceleration. Newton’s Law of Gravitation will be used to describe and
predict the gravitational forces between objects.
Lesson General Overview
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2
3
Velocity
Momentum
Projectile Motion
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Topics Covered
The Nature of Blood
Immunoassay Techniques
Stain Patterns of Blood
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Forensic Characterization of Bloodstains
Newton’s Second Law of Motion
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Kinetic energy
Potential energy
Newton’s Law of Gravitation