"Wherever he steps, whatever he touches, whatever he leaves, even unconsciously, will serve as a silent witness against him. Not only his fingerprints or his footprints, but his hair, the fibers from his clothes, the glass he breaks, the tool mark he leaves, the paint he scratches, the blood or semen he deposits or collects. All of these and more, bear mute witness against him. This is evidence that does not forget. It is not confused by the excitement of the moment. It is not absent because human witnesses are. It is factual evidence. Physical evidence cannot be wrong, it cannot perjure itself, it cannot be wholly absent. Only human failure to find it, study and understand it, can diminish its value."
- Professor Edmond Locard
Locard's Exchange Principle
- Professor Edmond Locard
Locard's Exchange Principle
Course Description/Objective: Forensic Science is a laboratory-based course in which students will apply their prior knowledge of biology, chemistry, physics and mathematics to the popular field of crime scene investigation. Students will use a structured and scientific approach to the investigation of crimes of assault, abuse and neglect, domestic violence, accidental death, homicide, and the psychology of criminal behavior. Students will learn terminology and investigative procedures related to crime scene, questioning, interviewing, criminal behavior characteristics, truth detection, and scientific procedures used to solve crimes. Using scientific methods, students will collect and analyze evidence through case studies and simulated crime scenes such as fingerprint analysis, trace evidence, DNA and blood spatter analysis. Students will learn the history, legal aspects, and career options for forensic science.
Academic Integrity: LASA students are expected to comply with the school honor code: “On my honor I have neither given nor received any unauthorized aid on my work, nor do I tolerate academic dishonesty in others.”
Class Preparation: Students must come to class prepared with their materials each day. Bring to class each day a pen or pencil, notebook, lab notebook, and scientific calculator (does not need to be graphing).
Laboratory: Laboratories will be an integral part of the coursework. Students must follow verbal and written instructions to ensure safety in the lab. Students will also be required to wear protective equipment as determined by the instructor. Safety goggles WILL be required for all laboratories no matter the type of lab. Failure to comply with these rules will result in removal from the lab, and a zero for that activity. Glassware broken by students is the financial responsibility of the student. Exams: Exams will always be announced in advance and will be cumulative. If a student receives a grade less than 70% on an exam he/she may do exam corrections at designated times unless the failing grade was due to cheating. Exam corrections, if done correctly, will add one half of the credit of the problems missed to the original exam grade not to exceed 70%. The highest grade possible on a corrected exam is a 70%. There are no exam corrections for final exams. Quizzes: Quizzes may or may not be announced prior to the quiz date. All quiz grades are final and no corrections will be given.
Homework: Homework will be assigned no less than once a week. Homework may consist of reading, prelab completion…
Late Work/Missed Instruction: All lab work will be accepted if turned in within 3 school days due date. Excused absences will receive full credit. All other late work will receive a maximum of 50 % credit. Any assignment missed due to an excused absence will receive one day per absence to submit for full credit. An absence on a review day will not excuse you from taking the test on its scheduled date. Students must schedule an appointment during tutoring times within 1 day of absence to get missed instruction.
Conference Hours: Ms. Moore will be available Tuesday and Thursday before school from 7:30-8:00 am and during lunch on Monday and Wednesday.
Grades: Every six weeks, all assignments will be averaged for a progress report grade. For a semester grade, all earned scores in the categories will be averaged together for a final grade. Students and parents will be allowed to review their updated grades on gradespeed. Any disputes over grades must be addressed at that time.
Assessment Method Percentage
Quizzes 3x
Laboratories/Projects 2x
Problem Sets / HW 1x
Academic Integrity: LASA students are expected to comply with the school honor code: “On my honor I have neither given nor received any unauthorized aid on my work, nor do I tolerate academic dishonesty in others.”
Class Preparation: Students must come to class prepared with their materials each day. Bring to class each day a pen or pencil, notebook, lab notebook, and scientific calculator (does not need to be graphing).
Laboratory: Laboratories will be an integral part of the coursework. Students must follow verbal and written instructions to ensure safety in the lab. Students will also be required to wear protective equipment as determined by the instructor. Safety goggles WILL be required for all laboratories no matter the type of lab. Failure to comply with these rules will result in removal from the lab, and a zero for that activity. Glassware broken by students is the financial responsibility of the student. Exams: Exams will always be announced in advance and will be cumulative. If a student receives a grade less than 70% on an exam he/she may do exam corrections at designated times unless the failing grade was due to cheating. Exam corrections, if done correctly, will add one half of the credit of the problems missed to the original exam grade not to exceed 70%. The highest grade possible on a corrected exam is a 70%. There are no exam corrections for final exams. Quizzes: Quizzes may or may not be announced prior to the quiz date. All quiz grades are final and no corrections will be given.
Homework: Homework will be assigned no less than once a week. Homework may consist of reading, prelab completion…
Late Work/Missed Instruction: All lab work will be accepted if turned in within 3 school days due date. Excused absences will receive full credit. All other late work will receive a maximum of 50 % credit. Any assignment missed due to an excused absence will receive one day per absence to submit for full credit. An absence on a review day will not excuse you from taking the test on its scheduled date. Students must schedule an appointment during tutoring times within 1 day of absence to get missed instruction.
Conference Hours: Ms. Moore will be available Tuesday and Thursday before school from 7:30-8:00 am and during lunch on Monday and Wednesday.
Grades: Every six weeks, all assignments will be averaged for a progress report grade. For a semester grade, all earned scores in the categories will be averaged together for a final grade. Students and parents will be allowed to review their updated grades on gradespeed. Any disputes over grades must be addressed at that time.
Assessment Method Percentage
Quizzes 3x
Laboratories/Projects 2x
Problem Sets / HW 1x