Syllabus: Forensic Science
Course Overview
In this course you will learn to apply the process of science to the problems of identifying and
prosecuting criminals. Throughout the course, you will be applying the scientific method to solve
mysteries. Skills you will practice include:
 making careful, detailed observations
 keeping an accurate record of your observations and procedures
 forming hypotheses based on your observations
 performing laboratory procedures accurately to test your hypotheses and to make additional
observations
 making good inferences from your observations and experimental results
 communicating your ideas clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing
 defending your conclusions, by citing clear data that supports them (again both orally and in
writing)
In additional, you will be learning more details about areas of science that are commonly used in
forensics. You will need to understand the principles in the following areas as they apply to forensic
investigations:
 BIOLOGY
o Composition of blood and blood typing (including the inheritance of blood type)
o DNA structure and biotechnology used in DNA fingerprinting analysis
o Removal of wastes and toxins from the body as used in toxicology
o The effects of certain drugs on the human body
 CHEMISTRY
o Properties of matter such as density and their use for identifying materials
o Chromatography as a means of separating mixtures
o Absorption spectra as means of identifying materials
o Chemical screening tests as a means of identifying specific classes of substances
 PHYSICS
o Movement of light and the use of refractive index for identifying types of glass
o Motion of objects as related to projected blood
 ANATOMY
o Body regions as used in autopsies
o Structure of hair and skin and its relation to trace evidence and fingerprints
o Skeletal structure and its use in forensic anthropology
o Structure of various respiratory and excretory systems as related to removal of toxins
You will practice concepts and techniques to investigate simulated crime scenes. At least one crime
scene will culminate in a mock trial.
Since this is a senior level course, an additional goal for the course is to help you prepare for the
transition to college. You will need to take a greater responsibility for managing your time and
guiding your own learning. You will receive homework for the entire chapter as we begin each
chapter. You will have learning objectives to help guide your studies. You will usually have about a
week to complete the homework, which will then be collected and graded. Classroom activities during
the week should provide help and support in completing the homework. Please remember that it is
important to seek extra help if you are having trouble with the assigned work. Putting the homework
off until the last minute means you won’t have this opportunity. Working together in a study group is
a very good way to learn the material. Please refer to the honor code for the ground rules that will
allow you to work together productively without cheating.
Course Details
Text for the course will be Forensic Science: An Introduction by Richard Saferstein.
The course will include the following chapters and topics:
Chapter
Topics and Skills Included
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Scope of forensics
History of forensics
Services offered by crime labs
Making and recording observations (including sketches with
measurements and digital photographs)
Making inferences and citing evidence to support them
Methods of obtaining and storing evidence
Body areas and locating terms
Autopsy procedures
Recognizing types of physical evidence
Collecting and storing physical evidence
Keeping careful records
Forensic Anthropology Mini-unit
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Names of major human bones
Identifying skeletal remains and forensic anthropology
4 – Properties of Matter & the
Analysis of Glass
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Physical properties of matter
Properties of light
Density
Refractive Index
Forensic analysis of glass, including ballistics
Analyzing experimental results and drawing conclusions
5 - Drugs
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Commonly used drugs and their effects on the human body
Chemical tests, chromatography, & spectrophotometry
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Alcohol & it relationship to human anatomy & metabolism
Testing for drugs and poisons using pH. TLC, immunoassay,
& chemical tests
Types of laws
Types of crimes
Court proceedings
ABO blood types & their inheritance
Testing for blood using gel diffusion, Kastle-Meyer, &
luminal
Analysis of blood stain patterns
Testing for other bodily fluids
Review of DNA structure
DNA analysis using PCR, restriction enzymes, RFLP
analysis, and STR analysis
Use of mDNA
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Review of microscope use and care (see Chapter 7)
Structure of human skin and hair
1 - Introduction
2 – The Crime Scene
3 – Physical Evidence
6 – Forensic Toxicology
Forensics and the Law
(Preparing for Mock Trial)
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8 – Forensic Serology
9 – DNA: The Indispensable
Forensic Science Tool
10 – Trace Evidence I: Hairs and
Fibers
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14 - Fingerprints
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Microscopic analysis of hair and fibers
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Detection & analysis of fingerprints
Additional topics will be added as time permits.