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Honors Forensics Pacing Guide
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Two-week summary of major instructional content and skills • 36 instructional weeks
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Week(s)Unit / TextMajor ContentMajor Skills and Assessments
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Weeks 1–2Physical EvidencePhysical evidence lecture; class/individual evidence activity and worksheet; Richard Crafts, Ronald Cotton, Casety Anthony, and Wayne Williams case studies; probability/class evidence; microscope forensics activity.Define physical evidence and common types; distinguish identification vs. comparison and individual vs. class characteristics; explain class evidence, databases, reconstruction, and microscope value; identify compound-microscope parts/functions.
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Weeks 3–4Physical Evidence
Crime Scenes		Physical Evidence test; Crime Scenes lecture; crime-scene scenario evaluation; sketching and photo practice; OJ Simpson and JonBenet Ramsey cases; mock crime-scene processing; Crime Scenes test.Crime Scenes: define the scene and first-officer responsibilities; search systematically; document with sketches/evidence logs; collect, package, preserve, and maintain chain of custody; use evidence to reconstruct events. Assessments: Physical Evidence and Crime Scenes tests; mock scene.
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Weeks 5–6ToxicologyToxicology lecture; LG50/BAC/bioassay calculation problems; LD50 lab; simulated drug-testing lab; Killer Headache case study; test.Connect blood-alcohol levels to law, incapacity, and test results; use poison vocabulary and quantitative toxicology; explain alcohol danger; design investigations, use math/technology, identify guiding questions, and communicate/defend scientific arguments. Labs/case study/test.
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Weeks 7–8FingerprintsFingerprint lecture and history; 10-print cards and pattern classification; class data and fingerprint matching; developing/lifting prints; crime-scene application; test.Explain fingerprint history, permanence, ridge characteristics, patterns/subclasses, Henry classification, and AFIS; distinguish visible/plastic/latent prints; develop and preserve prints on porous/nonporous surfaces; obtain/classify/compare prints and determine identification or exclusion. Crime-scene work and test.
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Weeks 9–10Blood EvidenceBlood Evidence lectures; blood doping activity; blood-type worksheet and practice problems; blood-typing lab; presumptive-testing demonstrations; start blood-spatter labs.Distinguish catabolic/anabolic pathways, kinetic/potential energy, open/closed systems, and exergonic/endergonic reactions; explain thermodynamics in living systems, cellular energy/ATP, activation energy, enzyme action, and allosteric regulation. Blood-typing and blood-spatter laboratory work.
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Weeks 11–12Blood Evidence
DNA Evidence		Blood-spatter practical and Blood Evidence test; DNA lecture/structure packet; STR example and internet assignment; DNA extraction/profiling work; STR case studies and familial relationships.Blood-spatter practical and unit test. DNA: describe nucleotide structure, double helix/base pairing, replication, protein relationship, and forensic significance; explain PCR, STR/Y-STR, nuclear vs. mitochondrial DNA, databases, preservation, and DNA extraction.
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Weeks 13–14DNA EvidenceDNA restriction-enzyme work; DNA fingerprint/PCR/STR/CODIS problems; Amanda Knox and Golden State Killer cases; agarose gels and electrophoresis; gel/paternity analysis; Romanov/CODIS study; test.Explain restriction enzymes, DNA fingerprints, RFLP, gel electrophoresis, PCR, STR probability/statistics, CODIS, and forensic DNA applications; analyze electrophoresis results and case evidence. DNA test.
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Weeks 15–16Hair and Fiber EvidenceHair and fiber lecture/packet; hair and fiber observation labs; medullary index and hair-growth calculations; Murder at the Farm online crime scene; fiber-analysis lab; test.Describe hair structure/growth, human vs. animal hair, comparison features, collection, and DNA use; classify fibers and polymers, compare useful fiber properties/weaves, judge probative value, and use microscopy/math/technology in investigations. Labs, crime scene, and test.
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Weeks 17–18Questioned DocumentsQuestioned Documents lecture; paper/ink analysis lab; midterm review; midterm exams.Define questioned documents; analyze handwriting characteristics, exemplars, typewritten evidence, paper/ink, alterations, erasures, obliterations, and impression writing; understand forensic-document examiner functions. Midterm review aligns to NGSS HS-LS1-2, HS-LS1-3, HS-LS1-5, and HS-LS1-6.
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Weeks 19–20Questioned Documents
Forensic Anthropology, Autopsy		Forgery/handwriting analysis activity; anticounterfeiting features; document-analysis lab and test; Forensic Anthropology lecture; skeleton structure/function packet; What Do We Tell the Sheriff case study.Questioned Documents: recognize forgery, handwriting factors, counterfeiting safeguards, and document-examination methods; conduct/communicate investigations. Anthropology: define the field/history; identify examination tasks; distinguish skeletal sex, estimate age/ancestry/height, process scenes, and begin biological profiles.
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Weeks 21–22Forensic Anthropology, AutopsyRemains on the Family Farm case; No Bones About It case; Activities 1–6; Mutter Museum trip; forensic-anthropology scenarios.Apply forensic-anthropology principles to human remains: skeletal sex, age range, ancestry-related skull features, height from long bones, scene processing, and biological-profile development. Case studies, museum trip, and scenario analysis.
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Weeks 23–24Forensic Anthropology, AutopsyJohn Gacy case with pelvic/skull observations; John List case; anthropology test; autopsy/pathology packet; virtual autopsy; forensic death scenarios.Complete anthropology assessment, then define post mortem, autopsy, coroner, medical examiner, and forensic pathologist; explain competent death investigation, autopsy techniques/reports, and manner/cause/mechanism of death; use testimony, toxicology, gross/microscopic observations, and virtual-autopsy evidence.
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Weeks 25–26Forensic Anthropology, AutopsyTime-of-death calculations using rigor and algor mortis; calculation review; documentary video; test; documentary video and discussion (Juniors only).Use livor, rigor, and algor mortis to develop a time-of-death timeline and recognize factors that can disrupt it; review death-calculation work. Pathology/autopsy test and documentary discussion.
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Weeks 27–28Firearmes Identification and BallisticsMock crime scene; firearms-evidence lecture; DC Sniper documentary; firearms evidence labs 1–2.Explain rifling; bullet/cartridge class and individual characteristics; comparison microscopy; caliber vs. gauge; NIBIN/IBIS; range-of-fire, GSR, serial-number restoration, and evidence collection/preservation. Labs: analyze fired bullets and use class characteristics to identify weapon make/model.
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Weeks 29–30Firearmes Identification and Ballistics
Impressions Evidence		Firearms evidence lab 3; trajectory calculations; firing-pin matchup and Valentine’s Day Massacre case; firearms test; Impressions Evidence lecture; toolmark lab; digital toolmark activity.Analyze fired casings; use geometry to calculate trajectory and shooter height; compare firing-pin/toolmark evidence; complete firearms test. Impressions: explain footwear/toolmark evidence, class vs. individual characteristics, comparison, recovery, and enhancement.
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Weeks 31–32Impressions Evidence
Entomology		Tire-impressions analysis; footwear-impressions demonstration; Impressions Evidence test; Entomology lecture/discussion; forensic-entomology Google Slides activity.Impressions: analyze tire evidence, recovery/comparison methods, wear and individual characteristics; calculate speed, wheelbase, and track width; make 2D/3D footwear impressions; test. Entomology: define taphonomy, decomposition, time since death, and PMI methods.
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Weeks 33–34EntomologyEntomology activity; maggot/adult-fly species identification; measuring-maggots activity; ADH calculations.Follow activity procedures; identify maggot/adult-fly species using a key and microscope; analyze case evidence; measure specimens; use accumulated degree hours (ADH) to calculate entomological timelines and PMI.
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Weeks 35–36EntomologyForensic-entomology documentary; unit review and test; mock crime scene; final review.Connect forensic entomology to crime-scene use; review unit content; apply evidence-processing skills in a larger mock crime scene; complete the Entomology test and final review.
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