San José State University
Department of Justice Studies
FS 162, Forensic Science Applications, 01, Spring 2013
Instructor:
Mary Juno
Office Location:
MacQuarrie Hall 511
Telephone:
408-924-2944
Please do not leave voicemail messages at this number.
Email and website:
mary.juno@sjsu.edu
http://www.sjsu.edu/people/mary.juno/courses/fs162
Office Hours:
Tues & Thurs 0830-1000 by appointment
Sign up for appointments on the clipboard outside my office
Class Time/Room:
Tues & Thurs Lecture 1330-1420, Sweeney Hall 347
Tues Lab 1530-1730, BBC 021
Prerequisites:
JS 10 or FS 11, upper division standing.
Course Catalogue Description
Scientific analysis and interpretation of physical evidence using identification and comparison
techniques. Practical lab exercises in human identification, questioned documents, bite marks,
trace evidence, presumptive testing and glass analysis. Additional topics include court testimony,
quality assurance and ethics.
Course Content Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
LO1 Demonstrate knowledge of practical analytical techniques in human identification,
serology, trace evidence, questioned documents, pattern identification, glass reconstruction, and
bite mark identification.
LO2 Understand the history and importance of DNA fingerprinting, articulate the principles of
DNA profiling and inheritance, and apply this knowledge to a realistic field exercise.
LO3 Analyze and critically evaluate ethical issues in forensic science.
LO4 Explain and describe the Scientific Method; the Locard Exchange Principle; safe lab
practices and proper evidence handling techniques; cause and manner of death; class and
individual characteristics of evidence; identification, individualization and comparison
techniques; and important terms including probative value and probability.
Textbooks
Recommended: James, S. & Nordby, J. (2009). Forensic Science: An Introduction to Scientific
and Investigative Techniques, 3/E. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press/Taylor & Francis.
ISBN 978-1-4200-6493-3
FORENSIC SCIENCE APPLICATIONS, FS 162, Spring 2013
Page 1 of 7
Required: Barnett, P. (2001). Ethics in Forensic Science: Professional Standards for the
Practice of Criminalistics. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press/Taylor & Francis.
ISBN 0849308607
Required: Composition notebook or lab notebook
Required: Access to Internet
Other Readings
Register at the NIJ website during the first week of class and peruse the website. You can also
sign up to receive free email publications on forensic science topics of interest to you.
http://www.nij.gov/topics/forensics/welcome.htm
Journal articles, tutorials, and links to other required readings will be posted on d2l. It is the
student’s responsibility to check the website (minimum twice weekly) for new postings.
Classroom Protocol
1. Students are expected to attend all class meetings, arrive on time, stay for the duration of the
period, and complete all assignments in accordance with the class schedule. Class
participation is expected and is part of your grade. It is essential that you come prepared and
speak up during class. Lack of participation may result in pop quizzes.
2. Students are responsible for all missed notes, materials and announcements due to absence.
3. Please stow your cell phone, PDA, iPad, and laptop while in the classroom. If you require a
laptop for physical reasons, please bring me documentation from the DRC.
4. Students must print all assignments and turn them in as hardcopy. I do not print documents
for students and I do not grade electronic copies of assignments, unless otherwise specified. If
you must miss a class when an assignment is due, email it to me on the due date and bring the
hard copy to the next class meeting to be graded.
Assignments
1. Quizzes & exams (30%): There will be periodic quizzes on reading and lecture content,
and one final exam. Format will include multiple choice, fill-in, short essay and
diagrams. (LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4)
2. Laboratory Exercises (40%): Labs will include Microscopy & Trace Evidence, Physical
Fit, Taphonomy, Questioned Documents, Human ID, Presumptive Tests for Blood &
Semen, and Pattern Evidence. (LO1)
3. DNA/Mass Disaster Paper (15%): Each student will determine familial relationships
between and among disarticulated body parts by correctly interpreting DNA profiles, and
write their findings in a 3-5 page scientific report in APA format, uploaded to dropbox on
d2l. (LO2)
4. Student Presentations (10%): In pairs, students will present evidence and accompanying
testimony, as if for court. Additional details will be provided. (LO3, LO4)
5. Participation (5%): Achieved through regular attendance, contributions to class
discussions, and on-time submission of all work.
FORENSIC SCIENCE APPLICATIONS, FS 162, Spring 2013
Page 2 of 7
Extra Credit
Extra credit opportunities may be available throughout the semester and will be used to augment
your final grade up to 3%.
1. Join a criminal justice or forensic science professional organization that is of interest to
you and supply proof of membership before the end of the semester. Some examples of
forensic science organizations include AAFS, CAC, and IAI.
To view a list of law enforcement professional organizations, please visit
http://o.officer.com/links/Associations_and_Organizations/Professional_Association_Dir
ectory/
2. Attend a lecture in the Forensic Science Seminar Series and write a two-page, doublespaced, typewritten paper that includes a synopsis of the talk and your reaction/response.
3. Substantially assist in a FS research project on campus.
4. Tour a crime lab and write a two-page, double-spaced, typewritten paper that includes a
synopsis of the tour and your reaction/response.
Grading Policy, Late Work and Make Ups
1. No late work or make up assignments will be accepted or allowed except under
extraordinary, documented circumstances, unless instructor specifies otherwise. Please
adhere to all stipulated due dates which have been established in order to facilitate
grading.
2. Most lab exercises will be carried out in groups. These involve a lot of prep and set up
and therefore cannot be made up for any reason, so do not miss them.
3. Students are responsible for reading and following the directions on every assignment.
Papers that do not adhere to the directions of an assignment may be handed back for
revision and resubmission. Work resubmitted for this reason will be marked down 10%
automatically.
Grading Scale for All Assignments:
Note: A grade of C or better is required for all Justice Studies and Forensic Science courses.
Grade
%
Grade
%
Grade
%
A+
97-100
C+
77-79
F
<60
A
94-96
C
74-76
A90-93
C70-73
B+
87-89
D+
67-69
B
84-86
D
64-66
B80-83
D60-63
University Policies
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is essential to the mission of San José State University. As such, students are
expected to perform their own work (except when collaboration is expressly permitted by the
course instructor) without the use of any outside resources. Students are not permitted to use old
tests, quizzes when preparing for exams, nor may they consult with students who have already
taken the exam. When practiced, academic integrity ensures that all students are fairly graded.
Violations to the Academic Integrity Policy undermine the educational process and demonstrate
FORENSIC SCIENCE APPLICATIONS, FS 162, Spring 2013
Page 3 of 7
a lack of respect for oneself, one’s fellow students and the course instructor. Violations also can
ruin the university’s reputation and devalue of the degrees it offers. We all share the obligation to
maintain an environment that practices academic integrity.
The University’s Academic Integrity Policy is available at
http://www.sa.sjsu.edu/download/judicial_affairs/Academic_Integrity_Policy_S07-2.pdf. Your
own commitment to learning, as evidenced by your enrollment at San Jose State University,
requires you to be honest in all your academic course work. Faculty members are required to
report all infractions to the office of Student Conduct and Ethical Development. The website for
Student Conduct and Ethical Development is http://www.sa.sjsu.edu/judicial_affairs/index.html.
Instances of academic dishonesty will not be tolerated. Cheating on exams or plagiarism
(presenting the work of another as your own, or the use of another person’s ideas without giving
proper credit) will result in a failing grade in the course and will be subject to sanctions by the
University. For this class, all assignments are to be completed by the individual student unless
otherwise specified. If you would like to include in your assignment any material you have
submitted, or plan to submit for another class, please note that SJSU’s Academic Policy F06-1
requires approval of instructors.
Dropping and Adding
Students are responsible for understanding the policies and procedures about add/drops,
academic renewal, etc. Information on add/drops is available at http://info.sjsu.edu/webdbgen/narr/soc-fall/rec-298.html. Information on late drops is available at
http://www.sjsu.edu/sac/advising/latedrops/policy/ . Students should be aware of the current
deadlines and penalties for adding and dropping classes.
Campus Policy in Compliance with the American Disabilities Act
If you need course adaptations or accommodations because of a disability, or if you need to
make special arrangements in case the building must be evacuated, please make an appointment
with me as soon as possible, or see me during office hours. Presidential Directive 97-03 requires
that students with disabilities requesting accommodations must register with the DRC (Disability
Resource Center) to establish a record of their disability.
Forensic Science Student Group (FSS)
FSS is the student group at SJSU dedicated to Forensic Science. The group meets twice monthly
to discuss and organize scholarly and social events related to forensic science. FSS also has a
Peer Mentor group whose purpose is to provide a forum to assist forensic science students in
navigating the major, understanding requirements and prerequisites, and making wise choices in
their college careers. FSS Peer Mentors may also offer limited tutoring, and facilitate educational
and professional opportunities. Peer Mentor services are free and available to active members of
the FSS. You can get an FSS application or more information by contacting sjsu.fss@gmail.com.
You cal also find the FSS on Facebook (San Jose State University Forensic Science Students).
Instructor
FORENSIC SCIENCE APPLICATIONS, FS 162, Spring 2013
Page 4 of 7
Mary Juno earned her MSc in Forensic Science from the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow,
Scotland, and her BA in Forensic Anthropology from San Francisco State University. Juno
worked for many years as a CSI at the Oakland Police Department where she processed
hundreds of major crime scenes and taught in the Oakland Police Academy. She has conducted
research at the NYPD Latent Fingerprint Lab and currently teaches Criminal Justice
Communications, Police Role in the Community, and Forensic Investigations in the Criminal
Justice Department at Cabrillo College. At SJSU, Juno teaches several courses in the
department, co-advises the FSS, advises Forensic Science majors, and edits Forensic Science
Forum and Themis. She can sometimes be found in her office: 511 MacQuarrie Hall. She likes
Giants baseball, beer, and homemade chocolate chip cookies with walnuts, since you asked.
FORENSIC SCIENCE APPLICATIONS, FS 162, Spring 2013
Page 5 of 7
FS 162 Forensic Science Applications Spring 2013 Course Schedule
Schedule is subject to change.
Week Date
1
1/24
2
1/29
1/31
3
2/5
2/7
4
5
2/12
2/14
2/19
7
2/21
2/26
2/28
3/5
8
3/7
3/12
9
3/14
3/19
6
10
11
3/21
3/26
3/28
4/2
12
4/4
4/9
4/11
13
4/16
14
4/18
4/23
4/25
Topics and Deadlines
Readings and Assignments for Following
Class
Introductions and Course Overview
Form Groups, Lab Notebook, Important Terms
Register with NIJ.GOV DNA.GOV,
Forensic Mag, browse sites
Read J & N, Ch 1, 13, 33
Read Appendices A & D
Forensic Laboratory Structure, Roles &
Read J & N, Ch 17
Responsibilities, Types of Analysis
Complete Microscope Tutorials
Lab: Glass/Physical Fit
Read FBI: Trace Evidence Recovery
Probative Value of Forensic Evidence,
Guidelines
Probability
Begin Locard Lab
Microscopy & Trace Evidence, Munsell
Read FBI: Microscopy of Hair Part 1, &
Lab: Microscopy Worksheet, Locard Exchange Part 2, Soil Evidence
Principle
Trace Evidence Continued
Lab: Hair/Soil
Read J & N, Ch 19 & 22
Read FBI: Questioned Docs
Quiz 1: Trace, Microscopy, and Terms
Pattern Evidence: Questioned Documents
Read FBI: QD, Footwear, Tire Treads
Lab: QD
Pattern Evidence: Foot Wear
Lab: Footwear
Read J & N, Ch 14 & 15
Quiz 2: Pattern Evidence and Terms
Human ID: Serology
Read J & N Ch 16, Watson & Crick Article
Lab: Presumptive Tests for Blood & Semen
DNA.gov: About Forensic DNA
Human ID: DNA
Human ID: DNA
Complete DNA Certificates
Lab: Mass Disaster Project
Complete Mass Disaster Paper
Reading Quiz
Wrongful Convictions & DNA
Read J & N, Ch 8
Lab: Guest Speaker: Mark Okuda
Begin Taphonomy Lab
Mass Disaster Paper Due
Spring Break!
Read J & N, Ch 6 & 7
Human ID: Bones & Teeth
Lab: Bite Marks
Human ID Forensic Biometrics
Lab: Ear Prints, Lip Prints
Quiz 3: Human ID and Terms
Ethics in Forensic Science
Lab: Ethics
NAS Report
Expert Witness, Court Testimony
Quiz 4: Ethics, Terms
Check website for readings
Read Barnett
Read Need for Research (article)
Read NAS Report
DNA.gov: Law 101: Legal Guide for the
Forensic Expert
Read FRE, Daubert, Frye
Read Sapir
Read Schweitzer & Saks (CSI Effect)
Week Date
Topics and Deadlines
Readings and Assignments for Following
Class
Prepare presentation
15
16
Final
Exam
4/30
5/2
5/7
5/9
5/15
Student Presentations
Student Presentations
Wednesday 1215-1430
Last day to drop a course without receiving a W is Feb 4
Last day to add a course is Feb 11
Last day to withdraw from a course is April 23
Have a great summer!