FORT COLLINS HIGHS SCHOOL
Forensic Science / CSI
Instructor: Matt Foster M.Ed
488-8225 – fosterm@psdschools.org
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
– Forensic science is a popular science due to the many television show that animate the content to solve crimes. This
course gives students the background they need to understand that these shows do not accurately model true CSI
techniques. We will study the methods of processing a crime scene, collecting and analyzing many types of evidence and
how this information is used to settle civil suits or to prosecute criminals. Students will learn details and investigate
crimes and civil wrong doing. Please be aware that the details of the crimes and civil actions will have to be
reviewed in detail; this can include things like guns, drugs, DNA, fingerprints, remains, insects and blood.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
Instruction in this course will focus on the following teaching and learning objectives:
1. Students will explore foundations for modern Forensic science in the 19th and 20th century
2. Students will relate law and steps of the justice system to scientific evidence.
3. Students will process the crime scene, collect and analyze evidence.
4. Students will assess the probative value of evidence
5. Students will compare class and individual evidence
6. Students will learn chemical techniques of latent fingerprint, and fiber analysis
7. Students learn to scrutinize hair samples during crime scene investigation.
8. Students will examine toxins and identification of toxicity
9. Students will analyze trace evidence collected from a mock crime scene.
10. Students will determine how blood stain patterns can be used to indicate velocity direction and fall
height.
11. Students will be able to explain how DNA as hereditary information
12. Students will be able to make a DNA fingerprint, and process it using gel electrophoresis.
13. Students will learn statistical analyses of DNA and other evidence
ESSENTIAL LEARNINGS:
At the conclusion of this course, the student will be able to describe, define, and analyze the following topics:
1. Students will understand, appreciate, and apply the basic elements of the scientific process of inquiry.
2. Students will develop skills to allow them to function on all five levels of the scientific endeavor:
a. recognition of relevant facts, and evidence in a criminal investigation
b. acquisition and manipulation of data
c. problem solving
d. inquiry and experimentation
e. applying the scientific method to solve a real world problem
3. Students will be able to identify and discuss the role of science in law enforcement
4. Students will know the various analysis techniques that are used to solve criminal cases.
5. Students will be able to think critically about the advantages and disadvantages of a particular analytical
technique and how to apply them to solve a problem.
COURSE LEVEL:
This course is open to sophomores, juniors, and seniors. Students who want to take Forensics must have taken Standard
Based Biology. This course is designed to give students a broad view at many science fields through the application to
crime investigation and prosecution. Students will learn many hands on lab skills that will apply to many different
scientific laboratory settings.
COURSE CONTENT:
This course will include both primary and secondary source material as well as audio-visual materials and occasional
outside speakers who focus on the application of Forensic Science techniques. There is a course website that will be used
extensively for this course: http://staffweb.psdschools.org/fosterm/foster.htm
COURSE INSTRUCTION:
Instruction in Forensics is primarily hands on, but other methods of instruction will be utilized. Those methods include,
but are not limited to, lecture, group projects, audio-visual presentation, and computer-assisted instruction. Class time
will emphasize the application of content using labs and discussion.
GRADES:
Letter grades are earned by the student based upon the following percentage of possible points: 100-90% = A, 89-80% =
B, 79-70% = C, 69-60% = D, <60% = Failure. Total points possible include numerical evaluations for homework,
quizzes, projects, research, unit tests, and comprehensive final examinations given at the end of each semester.
STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES - STUDENTS WILL ADHERE TO ALL FCHS POLICIES AND THE
POUDRE SCHOOL DISTRICT “CODE OF CONDUCT” AT ALL TIMES TO INCLUDE, BUT NOT BE
LIMITED TO, THE FOLLOWING (See Contract):
1. Attendance – Students must attend class to receive the greatest benefit from instruction and class interaction. Students
who miss class are never able to completely make up missed work. Nevertheless, students with excused absences will be
allowed to make up work according to Poudre School District policy. It is the student’s responsibility to contact the
instructor – outside of class – to complete missed assignments. Unless prior approval is granted by the instructor, late
work will note be accepted.
2. Participation – Each student is responsible for participating in class discussions, making presentations when assigned
to do so, and contributing to the learning environment of the class. In order to fulfill his/her responsibility, it is necessary
to be in class, on time with all materials, including paper and a writing instrument.
3. Assignments – Students are responsible for coming to class prepared. All assignments are due at the start of the class
on the date the assignment is due. Please consult the website or hard copy of assignments for due dates.
4. Food and Drink – Food and drink are not allowed in class, but water is permissible. If you find it necessary to chew
gum, please keep it to yourself.
5. Electronic Devices – No electronic device of any kind may be used in class without permission. The presence of an
electronic device during a test or quiz will be considered prima facie evidence of academic dishonesty.
6. Final Examination – The final exam is comprehensive exam and is therefore worth a large portion of a student’s
grade. Failure to take the final examination may result in a failing grade for this class.
7. Extra Credit (points given with assignment)
Extra Credit is given in forensics/CSI for various activities that go above and beyond the requirements for this course. If
you have a project in mind let me know. Extra credit only counts if ALL your assignments have been turned in and all of
your quizzes have been made up. If you have any “Z” scores in the grade-book at the end of the semester, your extra
credit will be erased before the semester grade is calculated. No extra credit will be given the last two weeks of the
semester, period.
8. Late Work/Missed Work
Late work is defined as work that is not turned in at the beginning of the class in which it is due. Late work will be
assigned a maximum of 50% credit.
 Students who are excused for being absent have two days to turn in work for every day they were absent for full
credit.
 Students who are unexcused absent also have two days to turn in work for every day they were absent, but for
50% credit max.
Students who are absent during a test or an exam may sometimes be given an alternate test upon returning to school (for
test security purposes).
ACADEMIC DISHONESTY:
Each student is required to do his/her own work. Plagiarism and/or cheating will not be tolerated, and if detected, will
result in disciplinary referral and action. The Fort Collins Student Handbook outlines the consequences for cheating and
plagiarism, and the instructor will, with the assistance of an administrator, implement the policy. A first incident of
plagiarism and/or cheating will result in a zero. Additional incidents may result in expulsion from school. Please consult
the Handbook for the full text of the consequences for academic dishonesty.