Syllabus for CHEM 5800: Forensic Analytical Chemistry
Dr. Christopher R. Dockery
Course Description
This course covers fundamental topics of forensic analytical chemistry including statistics and data
quality, sample preparation, drugs (pharmacology and toxicology), arson and the chemistry of
combustion, and trace chemical evidence. Throughout the course, emphasis is placed on modern
chemical instrumentation as applied to forensic casework.
Course Objectives
This course introduces students to forensic chemistry - the application of chemistry to the analysis of
evidence collected from a crime scene. Forensic chemists use chemical principles to identify
physical evidence and to attempt to link physical evidence with either the victim or the suspect.
Crimes are not limited to crimes against individuals, such as homicide, theft, fraud, and arson.
Forensic chemists are also involved in the investigation of crime against society, such as food
adulteration, environmental pollution, use and distribution of unsafe chemicals. In this course,
students will learn to use chemistry to analyze crime scene samples (evidence). Fundamental
principles of forensic chemistry (gathering of evidence, drug identification, toxicology, trace
evidence, DNA testing) as applied to suspicious situations and criminal cases will be
presented. Through supplemental reading, group projects and creating lesson plans, students
will prepare a set of classroom materials to facilitate the teaching and learning of a topic
relevant to forensic chemistry.
Grading and Evaluation for CHEM 5800
Exams There will be 3 tests and a cumulative final exam. Makeup exams will not be given, however
the final exam may be used to replace your lowest test score.
Quizzes will be both announced and unannounced in class evaluations of recent class material.
Typically the quizzes will be only one question and last no longer than 10 minutes.
Homework will be assigned each week. The answers to most problems are posted so the grade for
those problems will be based on showing your work. What could be easier? But, you will receive a
zero if any of the problems are simply left out. Several problems will be selected from the total
assignment for grading – but which ones will they be? Always show your work. You may work
together, but must turn in individual answers.
Projects and Lesson Plans Students are expected to learn some legal aspects of forensic chemistry,
and to this end, additional reading outside of the class is encouraged. There will be one term paper
assignment on which students will demonstrate their skills to summarize a real case where forensic
chemistry was applied in a court of law or summarize a new forensic method reported in a peer
reviewed journal. (See Appendix 1). There will also be group and individual projects of a smaller scale
assigned throughout the semester. Graduate students enrolled in this class will learn hands-on
classroom demonstrations. Projects from The Forensic Teacher will be incorporated into lesson
plans and presented to the class.
Grading will be a weighted average of the numerical grades accumulated according to:
5%
15%
15%
45%
20%
Quizzes & Homework
Literature Project
Demo’s & Lesson Plans
Tests
Final Exam
A – 89.5-100
B – 79.5-89.49
C – 69.5-79.49
D – 59.5-69.49
F – below 59.5
A note on your responsibility as a student: You are responsible for all material presented in class
and ALL material in the covered chapters regardless of whether or not we discuss it in class.
There will be no make-up exams. If you miss one exam, the cumulative final exam will count as 35%
of your grade. The final is quite difficult so, you should not attempt this unless you have no other
choice.
Electronic Issues
Bring your calculator to each class as we will likely work problems in class. Be aware that I will
check programmable calculators for electronic cheat sheets randomly during exams. If in doubt
about the stored “programs” delete them before each exam.
As a matter of common courtesy, turn off cell phones and similar devices during class, arrive five
minutes before class is to start and to not leave your seat during class unless it is quite necessary.
Cell phones, pagers, notebook computers, Blackberry’s and similar electronic items are not allowed into
tests.
How to Succeed in this Class
This class contains significantly more content and covers more complex concepts then general
chemistry. It is highly unlikely that you will succeed unless you:
 KEEP UP AS THE SEMESTER PROCEEDS
 It is expected that you will read the chapter BEFORE the lecture for that chapter. During
lecture, we will review the important points in the chapter and spend time working problems
when appropriate
 Take the quizzes and do the homework – don’t let easy points slide by!
 Ask questions of your instructors and colleagues
 Work the problems yourself
Academic Honesty:
The student should maintain a high standard of honor in his or her academic work, and should not
engage in any form of scholastic dishonesty, including but not limited to the following: PLAGIARISM,
COLLUSION, CHEATING ON TESTS, AND IMPERSONATION. Cheating of any description will not
be tolerated and will result in a 10% reduction of final grade for the first offense, and will result in
immediate withdrawal from the course with a failing grade for the second offense. If it is found that the
student has a history of academic dishonesty, the first offense in this class is cause for failure. The
University's policy on academic dishonestly will be strictly enforced.
Working in groups on the homework is encouraged. The quizzes and tests are individual.
KSU Policy on Academic Integrity: Every KSU student is responsible for upholding the provisions
of the Student Code of Conduct, as published in the Undergraduate Catalog. Section II of the
Student Code of Conduct addresses the University’s policy on academic honesty, including
provisions regarding plagiarism and cheating, unauthorized access to University materials,
misrepresentation / falsification of University records or academic work, malicious removal,
retention, or destruction of library materials, malicious / intentional misuse of computer facilities and /
or services, and misuse of student identification cards. Incidents of alleged academic misconduct
will be handled through the established procedures of the University Judiciary Program, which
includes either an “informal” resolution by a faculty member, resulting in a grade adjustment, or a
formal hearing procedure, which may subject a student to the Code of Conduct’s minimum one
semester suspension requirement.
Attendance:
Each student should attend all classes as scheduled. You are reminded that the learning process goes
beyond just reading their textbooks. It requires shared experiences, which the student cannot witness
by simply reading a chemistry textbook. The classroom environment provides students with the
opportunity to be part of these experiences. In any case, if a student misses announcements or
handed-out material, the student will be held responsible for all the items missed.
Special Needs Students:
If you are a student with special needs as approved by the disabled Student Support Services office,
you must indicate this to the instructor with the letter from the disabled Student Support Services
office. Students with special needs should see me privately for accommodation.
General Course Information
Dr. Christopher R. Dockery
SC 433
678-797-2047
cdockery@kennesaw.edu
E-mail is a great way to get a quick question answered.
Place a descriptive subject line in the e-mail and fully identify yourself to ensure your message is not
moved to the spam folder!!
Resources: The class will use Suzanne Bell’s Forensic Chemistry as the primary text, but
supplemental material will come from Richard Saferstein’s Criminalistics and other sources.
(1) Suzanne Bell, Forensic Chemistry, 1st Ed., Prentice Hall, New Jersey, 2006.
(2) Richard Saferstein, Criminalistics, 8th Ed., Prentice Hall, New Jersey, 2004.
(3) http://vista.kennesaw.edu
(4) http://www.astm.org/JOURNALS/FORENSIC/search.html
(5) http://www.theforensicteacher.com
A Note from the Department Chair:
Some general "fatherly" advice from the Department Chair: "W" grades on your transcript are a
negative factor in evaluating your academic performance. Some professional schools go through a
transcript, substitute "F" for every "W", and recalculate the GPA. For all students, and especially for
anyone serious about a professional school of any kind, we would recommend that your transcript
should show no more than four "W" grades. Even if you have only four "W's" when you graduate,
you should have an excellent reason for each one of them (sickness, death in the family, etc.).
Please take your academic experience very seriously, and have a frank discussion with an advisor
about your strengths and weaknesses so that you do not waste time in an area where you are not
likely to be successful. Your teachers will do what they can to help all students succeed, but each
student has to do their part in the learning process.
Incomplete (I) will only be awarded when the student has don satisfactory work up the that last two
weeks of the semester, but for non-academic reasons beyond his/her control is unable to complete
the full requirements of the course.
Appendix 1: CHEM 5800 Literature Project
Assignment: You will search the Journal of Forensic Science, Forensic Science International,
Analytical Chemistry, Journal of Chemical Education, The Chemical Educator, or other sources
approved by the instructor. From the literature, you will write a 5 page paper and present a 15 min
PowerPoint lecture on a new method of forensic analysis or new forensic education . Your primary
article should be no older than 2000. You may format you paper based on the following outline.
1. An introduction outlining the background to the case or method; do not include the results. Cite
important background literature and establish the need for a new method of analysis.
2. Body: Describe physical evidence, and how it was analyzed (techniques). Describe how the
method may be used to substantiate/repudiate witnesses/victims/suspects stories in a court of law.
Be sure to address legal considerations of expert witness testimony. In your opinion, is the
method admissible?
3. Conclusion: Your own evaluation of this method: What were the loopholes in the analysis of the
physical evidence, if any? What are the major implications of using the new method in casework?
How does the method contribute to forensic science?
References: At least three references from books, internet or journals. If internet, please include date
when you accessed it. Your primary article must come from a peer reviewed scientific journal. I will
post examples for citing literature according to the ACS style.
Important dates:
Jan 23-Feb 3. Mandatory Consultation. Schedule an appointment with me to discuss your ideas
and receive preliminary approval of your topic.
Feb 6.
Turn in your proposed topic and list of references.
Feb 27.
Turn in your outline and copies of your references.
March 27.
Turn in a rough draft of your paper for peer review.
April 3.
Return peer reviewed articles to the author.
April 17.
Submit final paper for grading.
April 19-26. Oral Presentations.
Note: This project counts 15% of your final grade. The grade will be determined by the following
distribution: 5% completion of all steps listed above, 5% comments in the peer review process, 5%
paper, 5% presentation. You cannot wait until the last minute to start this assignment; you may have
to use the inter-library loan services to get your articles.
Get started early and Have Fun!!
Acknowledgment and Acceptance of Complete Syllabus:
Complete the following to signify that you have read and agree to the contents of the syllabus for this
course. Fill in all areas and return to the instructor.
By signing below, I acknowledge the requirements of my time outside of class and dedicate
myself to fulfill my responsibilities.
Please print:
Chem 5800
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Dr. Christopher R. Dockery
Instructor Name
Term
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Date Signed
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