Jackson Community College
CRJ 113.81 - Intro to Criminalistics
Course Syllabus
Spring/Summer 2014
Class Instructor:
John P. Gessner
Phone: (Work) 517-437-7317
(Cell) 517-610-8183
E-Mail: gessnerjohnp@jccmi.edu
Class Time & Location:
Hillsdale Campus: Letarte Center
Tuesday Night 6:00pm - 9:30pm
Office Hours:
Tuesday: 5:30pm - 6:00pm
Text:
Criminalistics: ”An Introduction to Forensic Science”
Richard Saferstein, 10th Edition, 2011, Prentice Hall
Course Description:
This course will provide the student with the basic
Understanding of forensic science, crime scene
investigation, evidence collection, processing and
Documentation.
Course Objectives:
1: To provide an overall view of forensic science as it
Applies to criminal investigation.
2: To offer students the chance for “hands on” techniques
For evidence collecting and processing.
3: To provide students with a basic understanding of crime
Scene investigation and documentation.
Requirements:
This course will be based on lecture, power point, lab work,
and attendance. Student participation in discussion and lab
work is expected. All students are expected to complete
required reading prior to class. Students must be actively
involved in lab work to get full participation points.
Students are encouraged to attend all classes. The lab
assignments and exams will be on classroom lecture and
text book materials. All labs and exams must be taken on
the date scheduled unless prior arrangements have been
made.
ADO:
Associate Degree Out-Comes are assessments used to help
the instructor in improving the student’s learning. The
following
ADO’s for this class are:
ADO#1: Writing clearly, concisely and intelligibly
ADO#2: Speaking clearly, concisely and intelligibly
ADO#7: Critical Thinking
Attendance:
There will be a total of ten (10) points per class period
for attendance. A total of one hundred (100)
points are available. These points are based on attendance
and participation in class discussions and lab work.
Students who miss two(2) or more consecutive classes
will be dropped from the course, unless prior
arrangements are made with the instructor. If you are more
than FIFTEEN (15) minutes late for class, you will not receive
Attendance points for that class period.
Quizzes:
There will be a total of six (6) quizzes given, worth
a total of four hundred and fifty (450) points. The questions on the
quizzes will cover the lecture and text materials discussed in
class. The questions may be a combination of multiplechoice, true/false and fill in the blank.
Lab Assignments:
There will be a total of six (6) lab assignments given
during the course, worth from fifty (50) points to
one hundred (100) points for a total of four hundred and fifty (450)
points. ALL LAB ASSINGMENTS MUST BE
ACCOMPANIED WITH ITS LAB SHEET FOR CREDIT.
YOU MUST TURN IN ALL ASSIGNMENTS IN A FOLDER
AS INSTRUCTED BY T HE INSTRUCTOR TO RECEIVE
CREDIT.
Withdrawal:
Final day for with drawl will be according to the college
schedule booklet.
“I”(incomplete) Grade:
A student may request an “I” grade from an instructor. The
request for the “I” grade may be granted if, in the opinion
of the instructor, the course work was sufficient in quality
and quantity to meet the course objectives. All allowed
make up exams must be taken with in the prescribed time
unless extended by the instructor.
Students with Disabilities: Students with disabilities who believe that they may need
accommodations in the class are encouraged to contact the
Center for Student Success as soon as possible to ensure
that such accommodations are implemented in a timely
fashion.
Electronic Devices:
All cell phones, pagers or any other electronic device
are to be placed in silent/vibrate mode or turned off
during class. If you must take a call or make a call,
please step from the class room!!!!!!! THERE WILL BE
NO TEXTING DURING CLASS.
Class Cancellations:
In the event of in climate weather contact main campus
to verify the status of classes. If the school is not closed
we will have class. If the instructor can not attend class,
the school will be notified and the room will be posted
advising of the class cancellation.
Course Materials:
In this course you will be using evidence processing
materials and equipment and packaging supplies to be used
in class. You are responsible to make sure the
equipment is cared for. If something is missing, broken
or becomes lost you must inform the instructor
immediately.
On Line Grading:
Each student shall be marked down on line to show their
attendance and standing in class as dictated by school
policy. The grades are to be entered at various times
through the semester indicating how the student is fairing in
the class. The following are the on line grades used in the
system: H: student needs assistance
Q: student has dropped or been dropped
V: student is attending class and is doing well
The student’s final grade will be based on the number of
points that the student accumulates over the course of the
semester. Listed below are the various point values.
Grading System:
Attendance/Participation……...100
Quizzes………………………….450
Labs (7 labs)…………..………..450
Total Points
1000
Grading Scale
Grade
4.0
3.5
3.0
2.5
2.0
1.5
1.0
0.5
0.0
Total Points
1000-900
899-800
799-700
699-600
599-500
499-400
399-300
299-200
199 & below
**********SYLLABUS IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE BY INSTRUCTOR *********
BE PREPARED OF EACH CLASS, AND GOOD LUCK
Schedule
May 27
Course Intro / Chap 1
June 3
Chap 2 / Lab #1
June 10
Quiz #1 / Chap 3 & 4 Lab #2
June 17
Quiz #2 / Chap 14/15 / Lab #2 con’t
June 24
Quiz #3 /Chap 10/11/12
July 1
Quiz #4 / Lab #3 / Chap 17
July 8
Chap 17 / Lab # 4
July 15
Chap 13 & 18 / Lab #5
July 22
Quiz #5 / Chap 16
July 29
Lab #6 / Chap 8 & 9 (?)
Aug 5
Final
Aug 12
Instructor Absence