HARFORD COMMUNITY COLLEGE
FS 101 – Basic Forensic Science Laboratory
Course Information
EFFECTIVE DATE
January 2013
DATE SUBMITTED
September, 2012
COURSE NUMBER
FS101
COURSE TITLE
Basic Forensic Science Laboratory
PREREQUISITE(S)/CO-REQUISITES
Co-Requisite or Pre-Requisite: FS 100, Basic Forensic Science
DIVISION
STEM
BUDGET ORG
NUMBER
1143
SUBJECT
FS
INITIATOR
Sandra Hartsock
DIVISION LEADER
Deborah Wrobel
NUMBER OF CREDITS
1
TOTAL INSTRUCTIONAL HOURS
30
RECOMMENDED CLASS SIZE
24
START-UP COST
$2500
COURSE FEE
$20
Course Description
FS 101 – Basic Forensic Science Laboratory (1 credit)
This course is an introductory laboratory course in the fundamentals of forensic science with a
focus on a survey of scientific principles utilized in the evaluation of physical evidence
associated with crime. Laboratory exercises focus on crime scene processing, evidence
collection, photography, fingerprints, toolmarks, questioned documents, controlled dangerous
substances (drugs), chain of command, and various types of trace evidence. Course meets for 30
hours per semester. Prerequisite or co-requisite: FS 100.
Student Learning Objectives Linked to Relevant Academic Outcomes
Upon satisfactory completion of this course, the student will be able to:
1. Describe and demonstrate the processes for determining what objects at a crime scene are
relevant to the crime, document through photography their relationship to the scene, and perform
evidence collection
(Academic outcomes supported by this learning objective: Communication, Critical Thinking,
Science and Technology)
2. Employ basic laboratory techniques during laboratory investigations to gain a better
understanding of the processing and testing of physical evidence related to a crime
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
(Academic outcomes supported by this learning objective: Communication, Critical Thinking,
Science and Technology, Personal and Self-Management Skills, Interpersonal Skills)
Compare and contrast the physical and chemical properties of “unknown” samples and draw a
conclusion as to whether inclusive or exclusive with the “known” evidence
(Academic outcomes supported by this learning objective: Communication, Critical Thinking,
Science and Technology, Personal and Self-Management Skills, Interpersonal Skills)
Identify the limitations of forensic labs with regard to various types of physical evidence and
apply this to the exercises being performed
(Academic outcomes supported by this learning objective: Communication, Critical Thinking,
Science and Technology)
Relate the processes of analytical chemistry with those utilized in the analyses of chemical
properties of crime scene evidence to determine the evidentiary value
(Academic outcomes supported by this learning objective: Communication, Critical Thinking,
Science and Technology)
Identify and locate appropriate types of background information for review, evaluate the
information, and use the information effectively, ethically, and legally to follow the scientific
method in solving the crime by determining the proper techniques and experimentation to utilize
for the different types of evidence
(Academic outcomes supported by this learning objective: Information Literacy, Critical
Thinking, Science and Technology)
Recognize ethical issues and practice professional standards common to forensic scientists
(Academic outcomes supported by this learning objective: Culture and Society,
Communication, Critical Thinking, Science and Technology)
Course Outline
I.
II.
III.
IV.
INTRODUCTION TO FORESNSIC SCIENCE LABORATORY
A. Introduction to Scientific Method and How Applies to Forensic Science
B. Safety Review
C. Microscope Orientation
CRIME SCIENE PROCESSING
A. Identifying the Different Types and Evidentiary Value
B. Documenting the Scene through Photography, Sketching, Written Documents
C. Determining the Forensic Discipline Needed to Analyze the Found Evidence
D. Blood Spatter
PHYSICAL EVIDENCE
A. Identifying Types of Analyses/ Examinations to be Utilized
B. Performing Exercises Utilized in the Different Disciplines
C. Fingerprints, Foot & Tire Impressions
D. Firearms and Toolmarks
E. Controlled Dangerous Substances and Toxicology
F. Trace Examinations
G. Questioned Documents
REPORTS AND TESTIMONY
A. Chain of Custody
B. Legal System
Instructional Method(s)
To achieve student learning objectives, instruction includes: To achieve the student learning
objectives, instruction includes reference to the lecture class (FS100) and laboratory discussions,
laboratory exercises and demonstrations, group exercises, independent study and report writing.
Assessment Method(s) Laboratory assignments and activities, laboratory reports, application
exercises, class discussion/participation, quizzes and exams.
Textual Material(s)
Title: Title: Laboratory Manual for Criminalistics and Forensic Science
Author or Editor: Sherry T. Brown
Publisher: Jones & Bartlett Learning
Date: 2011
GENERAL EDUCATION JUSTIFICATION FORM
The initiator completes this section only if requesting general education status for this
course. If a modification is for an existing general education course, the initiator must also
complete the General Education Justification form. (See the Curriculum Manual for the
guidelines and worksheet (Appendices C and D)used by the Curriculum Work Group for
evaluating general education proposals.)
1. General Education Guidelines
A. To be considered for the general education distribution, each course must emphasize
breadth rather than depth and, in most cases, be an introductory course to a discipline.
Explain in a few sentences how the proposed course meets these guidelines.
Basic Forensic Science laboratory is designed to expose the students to the fundamental
principles of Forensic Science. The course teaches basic skills in laboratory research methods.
The information gained from the course enhances student knowledge in forensic science.
B. General Education courses shall reflect current scholarship in the discipline and provide
reference to theoretical frameworks and methods of inquiry appropriate to academic
disciplines. (Courses that are theoretical may include applications, but all applications
courses shall include theoretical components.) Explain in a few sentences how the
proposed course meets these guidelines.
The course requires students to utilize scientific reasoning in the laboratory setting. They will
follow the scientific methods to develop a hypothesis, analyze data, compare results and draw
conclusions from their experimental data.
C. Public institutions of higher education should incorporate knowledge and skills involving
the use of quantitative data, effective writing, information retrieval, and information
literacy where possible in the General Education core. If appropriate, explain in a few
sentences how the proposed course meets these guidelines.
To complete laboratory assignments and written assignments, students must gather information
from a variety of sources, including those from scientific databases. Students utilize state of the
art laboratory equipment and computers to complete laboratory exercises. The course requires
students to analyze data, compare results, and draw conclusions in the laboratory setting and
written laboratory assignments. Students are also required to gather, analyze, and critically
evaluate published scientific information for laboratory assignments.
2. General Education Category
This course fits into the checked general education category:
(GB) Behavioral/Social Science
(GE) English Composition
(GH) Arts/Humanities
(GI) Interdisciplinary and Emerging Issues
X (GL) Biological and Physical Laboratory Science
(GM) Mathematics
(GS) Biological and Physical Science
3. Relation Of Course To General Education Goals
As justified by the accompanying explanation on how the course fulfills the goal and the
specific related activity, this course satisfies the following General Education goals [identify
relevant goal(s) and provide Academic Outcomes(s) and specific activity(ies)/assessments]:
General Education Category: GL
General Education Goals:
General Education Goals
2
3
4
Course Name and Number:
FS 101 Basic Forensic Science Laboratory
List the Student Learning Objectives that align to each General Education Goal; the Academic
Outcomes and the Specific Activity(ies) /assessments:
1. Student Learning Objective:Describe and demonstrate the processes
X
X
for determining what objects at a crime scene are relevant to the crime,
document through photography their relationship to the scene, and
perform evidence collection.
Academic Outcome(s) Communication, Critical Thinking, Science and
Technology
Specific activity/assessment:Scientific laboratory exercises and
assignments; group exercises. Assessment: lab reports; rubric assessed
activities.
2. Student Learning Objective: Employ basic laboratory techniques
X
X
X
during laboratory investigations to gain a better understanding of the
processing and testing of physical evidence related to a crime.
Academic Outcomes: Communication, Critical Thinking, Science and
Technology, Personal and Self-Management Skills, Interpersonal Skills
Specific activity/assessment:Scientific laboratory exercises and
assignments. Assessment: lab reports.
3. Student Learning Objective: Compare and contrast the physical and
X
X
X
chemical properties of “unknown” samples and draw a conclusion as to
whether inclusive or exclusive with the “known” evidence.
Academic Outcomes: Communication, Critical Thinking, Science and
Technology, Personal and Self-Management Skills, Interpersonal Skills
Specific activity/assessment:Scientific laboratory exercises and
assignments. Assessment: lab reports, assignments.
4. Student Learning Objective: Identify the limitations of forensic labs
X
X
with regard to various types of physical evidence and apply this to the
exercises being performed.
Academic Outcomes: Communication, Critical Thinking, Science and
Technology
Specific activity/assessment:Scientific laboratory exercises and
assignments. Assessment: lab reports, assignments.
5. Student Learning Objective:Relate the processes of analytical
X
X
X
chemistry with those utilized in the analyses of chemical properties of
crime scene evidence to determine the evidentiary value.
Academic Outcomes: Communication, Critical Thinking, Science and
Technology
Specific activity/assessment:Scientific laboratory exercises and
assignments. Assessment: lab reports, assignments.
6. Student Learning Objective:Identify and locate appropriate types of
X
X
background information for review, evaluate the information, and use
the information effectively, ethically, and legally to follow the scientific
method in solving the crime by determining the proper techniques and
experimentation to utilize for the different types of evidence.
Academic Outcomes: Information Literacy, Critical Thinking, Science
and Technology
Specific activity/assessment:Scientific laboratory exercises and
assignments. Assessment: lab reports, assignments, demonstrations
assessed with rubric.
7. Student Learning Objective:
Academic Outcomes:
Specific activity/assessment:
8. Student Learning Objective:
Academic Outcomes:
Specific activity/assessment:
4. Transferability
Our major transfer institutions, listed below, accept this course as meeting their general
education requirement (check all that apply):
Number of credits
granted by the
receiving institution:
Towson:
Yes
No
Credits
UMCP:
Yes
No
Credits
UMBC:
Yes
No
Credits
UB:
Yes
No
Credits
Salisbury:
Yes
No
Credits
Yes
No
Credits
Yes
No
Credits
Other Institution:
Other Institution:
Stevenson
X
1