2007-2008                                                                               Fontbonne Hall Academy

Forensic Science                                                                    Trimester II

Mrs. Marian Skabeikis                                                         Study Guide 7

 

Inorganic Analysis

Trimester II: Cycles 1 – 2

 

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.  Elements and their distribution on earth; data as a useful part of a criminal investigation

Text: pp. 150 – 154

The Kennedy Assassination: John McAdams

Lone Gunman or Conspiracy?

Kennedy Assassination

Using information gathered from your reading assignments, state your agreement or disagreement with the Warren Commission report on the assassination of President Kennedy. Do you think improvements in forensic science will provide greater insight in the future?

 

2.  Determining the elemental composition of matter:

·        Emission spectrum

·        Absorption spectrum

·        Neutron activation analysis

Text: pp. 154 – 164

Emission:

Emission Spectra Demo

Element ID and Emission Spectra

Absorption:

Absorption Spectra Demo

Absorption v. Emission:

Comparing Emission and Absorption.html

Neutron Activation Analysis:

Neutron Activation Analysis/ Artwork Authentication

 Be sure you can define:

Alpha particle, atomic mass, atomic number, beta particle, electron, orbital, excited state, gamma ray, isotope, neutron, nucleus, proton, radioactivity.

 

The atom is the unit of structure of all matter. Explain how this contributes to the work of the forensic scientist.

Laboratory:

Environmental Forensics

 

3.Arranging the elements into compounds:

·        X-Ray Diffraction

Text: pp. 165 – 166

X-Ray Diffraction

Review Questions, p. 167 – 168

 

Laboratory:

Detection of Art Forgery

Counterfeit Money Detection

Art Forgery?

 

Exam: Last meeting, Cycle 2

Grading Policy

Written examinations and tests: 40%

Laboratory exercises: 40%

Homework and other assignments: 20%