History of Forensic Science and Crime Scene Basics
"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 |
Objectives
- Scope and history of forensics
- Services offered by crime labs
- Basic types of law and the criminal justice system
- Careers options within the forensic sciences
- Indirect vs. direct evidence
- Individual evidence vs. class evidence
- Identification of physical evidence
- Making and recording observations (including sketches with measurements and digital photographs)
- Making inferences and citing evidence to support them
- Methods of obtaining and storing evidence
- Chain of custody
Day 1: 8/23Introduction to Forensic Science: Today we will discuss the importance of inferences, observations, and predictions to forensic science. We will also look at the different specialties in forensic science.
What is Forensic Science/uploads/8/9/4/4/8944539/intro_to_fs_class.pptx Forensic Science Specialties To Do: Complete the goformative assignment Inferences, Observations, and Predictions Complete the goformative what is a Forensic Scientist |
Day 2: 8/25History of Forensic Science: As a class you will create a timeline of forensic science from the Chinese in the 700s to present. This will be due and presented at the end of class on Friday. Please use the following rubric to guide you.
History of Forensic Science Timeline Forensics 0B Timeline Forensics 5B Timeline |
Day 3: 8/26History of Forensics Presentations.
|
Day 4: 8/30Where Science and the Law Meet: Today we will discuss in class the role of the crime lab, the key components of a crime lab and the court cases that have paved the way for science in the courts.
Where Science and the Law Meet |
Day 5: 9/1The Power of Human Observation: Today we will discuss the power or lack of in human observations and complete an observation activity. Complete the activity questions on goformative.com (photo observation activity)
Power of Observation PPT |
Day 6: 9/6The Power of Human Observation 2: At the start of last class a video clip was shown. Today you will answer some questions in regards the the clip, we will review the answers, then watch the clip again and see how your answers change.
|
Day 7: 9/8How to Search a Crime Scene: Today we will discuss the responsibility of the first responder to the scene. From there you will learn different crime scene search methods, recording methods, and collection techniques.
The Crime Scene PPT |
Day 8: 9/13Photography: Today you will learn how to take the necessary photos required when investigating a crime scene.
Photography Lab |
Day 9: 9/15Crime Scene Search Day 1: Today you will put to use everything you have learned so far when searching your first crime scene. While searching the group will need to decide the correct search method, tag all the evidence, photograph the scene and the evidence and create a rough sketch to be turned into a finalized sketch. You will search two different crime scenes over the 2 days. Your final sketch and photos will be due 9/22.
|
|
|
|
Day 10: 9/16Crime Scene Search Day 2: Today you will put to use everything you have learned so far when searching your first crime scene. While searching the group will need to decide the correct search method, tag all the evidence, photograph the scene and the evidence and create a rough sketch to be turned into a finalized sketch. You will search two different crime scenes over the 2 days. Your final sketch and photos will be due 9/22.
|
Day 11: 9/20Quiz over History and the Crime Scene.
We will begin the next unit Death, Bugs, and Bones today. |