2007-2008                                                                               Fontbonne Hall Academy

Forensic Science                                                                    Trimester I

Mrs. Marian Skabeikis                                                         Study Guide 3

 

Physical Evidence

Trimester I: Cycle 3-4

 

Text: Criminalistics: An Introduction to Forensic Science, Richard Saferstein

 

New York State Learning Standards:

 

Standard 1: Analysis, Inquiry and Design: Students will use analysis, scientific inquiry and design, as appropriate, to pose questions, seek answers and develop solutions.

Standard 2: Information Systems: Students will access, generate, process and transfer information using appropriate technologies.

Standard 4: Science: Students will understand and apply scientific concepts, principles and theories … and recognize the historical development of ideas in science.

Standard 5: Technology: Students will apply technical knowledge and skills to design, construct, use and evaluate products and systems.

Standard 6: Interconnectedness: Common Themes: Students will understand the relationships and common themes that connect math, science and technology and apply the themes to these and other areas of learning.

Standard 7: Interdisciplinary Problem Solving: Students will apply knowledge and thinking skills to address real-life problems and make informed decisions.

 

Objectives:

Readings:

Assignments:

1. Common types of physical evidence

Text: pp. 62-63

“Crime Scene Search”

from the Handbook of Forensic Services, Federal Bureau of Investigation FBI Crime Scene Search

 

Class Activity: Forensics CD, Ch. 4, “Crime Scene Procedures”

In your journal, list the common types of physical evidence. Suggest one reason for the importance of each type of evidence at a crime scene.

2. Significance of physical evidence:

q       Identification

 

Text: pp. 63-64

For Discussion:

Money is stolen from a student in her college dorm. The campus police take fingerprints from her room and from her roommates. What does this aspect of forensic testing hope to show? Can this activity by itself be conclusive?

 

“Forensic Anthropology”, North Carolina Wesleyan College Faculty Pages Forensic Anthropology

Laboratory: “Who Owns These Bones?”

 

q       Comparison

·        Individual characteristics

·        Class Characteristics

Text: pp. 65-70

Why Identical Twins Have Different Fingerprints

 

 

JonBenet Ramsey Murder Case

For Discussion:

Physical evidence may serve to include or exclude a suspect in a particular case. Explain a situation in which evidence’s class characteristics might be sufficient to convict a suspect? How could these same characteristics be insufficient to convict in a different situation?

3.  Crime Scene Reconstruction

Text: pp. 70-74

Case Reading:

Fiber Evidence and the Wayne Williams Trial

Review Questions:

Test, pp. 74-75

 

Laboratory:  Foam Bone Anatomy

 

Quiz: First meeting,

Cycle 5

Grading Policy

Written examinations and tests: 40%

Laboratory exercises: 40%

Homework and other assignments: 20%