Order Depends Semester Offered

Identification

The student will be able to perform Bertillon Measurements on another individual.

Why is this the measurement system not currently used in modern day forensic science?

Demonstrate Skill

Bertillon Measurement Reading and WKST

Order Depends Semester Offered

Identification

The students will be able to determine the difference between different types of fingerprints.

What ways are there to identify a fingerprint to eliminate or include suspects?

Demonstrate Skill

Fingerprint reading, example and lab activites

Order Depends Semester Offered

Identification

The students will demonstrate how to properly use magnetic powder to lift a fingerprint.

In what situation would this analysis method be more effective than other fingerprinting methods?

Demonstrate Skill

Fingerprinting Kits

Notes

Online Resources

Order Depends Semester Offered

Identification

The students will demonstrate how to properly use super glue powder to lift a fingerprint.

In what situation would this analysis method be more effective than other fingerprinting methods?

Demonstrate Skill

Fingerprinting Kits

Notes

Online Resources

Order Depends Semester Offered

Identification

The students will demonstrate how to properly use powder to lift a fingerprint.

In what situation would this analysis method be more effective than other fingerprinting methods?

Demonstrate Skill

Fingerprinting Kits

Notes

Online Resources

Order Depends Semester Offered

Identification

The student will be able to use DNA analysis to identify and individual.

How can DNA identify or eliminate a suspect?  Can mistakes still happen?

Lab Activity

Lab Manual

Order Depends Semester Offered

Death Investigation

The student will understand the history of modern forensic analysis and the role of poisons in homicide.

What has driven the change in the  role of poison in modern murder cases?

Write-Up

Poisoners Handbook Video

Order Depends Semester Offered

Death Investigation

The students will understand how prohibition lead to the death of thousands by poison.

What causes alcohol made from wood products to be poisonous?

Field Trip Write-Up

Field Trip to Science Museum

Order Depends Semester Offered

Death Investigation

The students will understand how historical crimes can be solved with modern forensic science.

How has forensic science changed and what do those changes allow modern investigations do that previously were not possible?

Anastasia Dead or Alive?

Order Depends Semester Offered

Evidence Collection

The student will understand the role of hair and fiber analysis in a criminal investigation.

What elements of a hair fiber can a lab technician look at to determine origin and means of removal?

Presentation to class

Hair Analysis Packet

Order Depends Semester Offered

Evidence Collection

The students will understand the difference between blood and other stains left at a crime scene.

How can the analysis of blood  impact a crime scene?

Analysis of Blood and Stains

Phenolphthalein Blood Test

Order Depends Semester Offered

Serial Killers

The students will understand the characteristics and study examples of serial killers.

What are the typical characteristics of a serial killer and how has FBI profiler become an important part of this type of crime?

Video Write-Up

Serial Killer Video

Order Depends Semester Offered

General Crime Scene Investigation

The students will understand a police officers role in a crime scene

What are the steps that an officer takes at a crime scene and why?

Discussion with Officer

Presentation by law enforcement

Order Depends Semester Offered

Crime Scene Analysis

The students will understand how crime scene analysis has changed over time.

How can the media and time change the perception of a crime?

Video Write-up and Discussion

Killer Trial Video

Order Depends Semester Offered

Arson

The students will understand the role of arson in crimes and arson investigations.

What are the characteristics of a serial arsonist?

Why is arson so hard to prove?

Arson research

Trial By Fire Video

Trial By Fire Reading

Hunt For Serial Arsonist Video

Order Depends Semester Offered

Body Farm

The students will do a long range study to determine the effects on differing methods of death on body decomposition.

How does the cause of death impact decomposition?

Research Project

Class Presentation

Milaca body farm cage

Dead frozen rats

Order Depends Semester Offered

Trace Evidence

The students will know that there are ways to differentiate trace evidence left at crime scenes.  Specifically blood and semen.

How do blood and seman play a role in a crime scene?  What methods are used for sampling?

Slide WKST

Research Write-up

Specimen Slides

Order Depends Semester Offered

Anthropology

The students will understand the role forensic science plays in modern anthropology.

What role can modern science play in determining the biological history of modern humans?  How have Native American groups and ancestral claims impacted scientific research?

Discussion

Opinion write-up

Notes

Early Americans Video

Various Readings

Return of the Iceman Video

Iceman Update Reading

Order Depends Semester Offered

Anthropology

The students will be able to determine the differences between human and non-human bones.

Is this a human bone from a crime scene or a bone from another source?

Successful Identification

Bone Lab

Order Depends Semester Offered

Anthropology

The students will be able to determine age and sex.

Why is it important to be able to determine age and sex of a bone at a crime scene?

Successful Identification

Anthropology Packet

Various skulls and bones

Order Depends Semester Offered

Fiction vs. Non-Fiction

The students will read a mystery novel or crime novel and understand the which parts are forensic science based and which are fiction.

How can fiction blur the line between facts and perception when it comes to forensic science?  How does this sometimes impact actual criminal trials?

Book Report

Novel

Order Depends Semester Offered

Witness Testimony

The students will understand that witness testimony can be inaccurate.

How can the human brain and memory be influenced over time?

Successful Identification

Witness Activity

Order Depends Semester Offered

Coroner vs. Medical Examiner

The students will understand the difference between a Coroner and a Medical examiner and how that role can impact crime investigations.

How has this distinction change the way crimes are handled from state to state and county to county in the USA?  What needs to happen to change it?  Does it need to change?

Opinion Write-up

Post Mortem Investigation Video