Forensics
Forensics L-2 is a half year course designed to meet the needs of those
students wishing to take an elective science course above and beyond the
required science courses. This class is designed around authentic
performance assessments where students, both as individuals and groups,
will use scientific knowledge and reasoning to solve mock crimes.
Students will become aware that forensic science incorporates backgrounds
of many different fields of study. Hopefully, through this awareness, the
students will look into future professions that they had not considered in the
past.
Students will explore the history and background of forensic science by
discussing scientific discoveries that lead to the technology used in the field
today. Students will also be exposed to vocabulary associated with forensic
science and numerous readings and research of crime cases that will be used
to springboard reflections in a journal on a daily basis.
Through the extensive use of the scientific method and technology, students
will perform experiments that use some of the techniques forensic scientists
use to assist in solving crimes. Having the students analyze and evaluate
several teacher generated mock crime scenes during the course will also
enhance the laboratory experiences. Students will have the opportunity to
generate their own crime scene scenarios, too.
Lastly, taking this course will give the students accurate views of how
forensic scientists conduct their work, how important it is for a forensic
scientist to be specialized in his/her field of study and how programs like
CSI are a superficial representation of what really goes on during a crime
scene investigation.
Enduring understandings
• Forensic Science involves many different disciplines. It
incorporates many science subjects such as biology,
chemistry, physics, entomology, and other disciplines such as
law and public law enforcement.
• The foundation of forensic science is scientific inquiry;
develop explanations for events, test proposed explanations
and provide new insights based on the tests.
Essential Questions
• How has forensic science evolved over the course of history?
• How does evidence collected from a crime scene help the law
enforcement solve crimes?
o How is a crime scene processed?
o What types of physical evidence are found at a crime scene?
o How is the composition of a substance determined by forensic
scientists?
o How can alcohol, drugs, and poisons be detected in the human
body?
o What can blood from a crime scene tell forensic scientists?
o What kind of evidence can be taken from a rape victim?
o How is DNA’s structure related to inheritance?
o What can DNA tell scientists?
o How is DNA collected from a crime scene?
o How can forensic scientists use trace evidence to explain what
happened at a crime scene?
• How has technology aided the solving of crimes?
o Why is a particular microscope used in certain procedures in
forensic science?
o What technology can scientists use to look at DNA?
Units of Study
Introduction to Forensic Science
Matter and Chemical analysis
Microscope and Serology
DNA
Hair and Fiber
Fingerprints