SYLLABUS FORM
WESTCHESTER COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Valhalla, NY 10595
1. CURRENT DATE: Spring 2015
Please indicate whether this is a NEW COURSE or a REVISION: Revision
DATE OF PRIOR REVISION: Fall 2014
2. NAME OF REVISER: Prof. Robert Adamo
3. COURSE #: CHEM 127
4. NAME OF COURSE: Introduction to Forensic Science - Lecture & Lab
5. COURSE DESCRIPTION:
CHEM 127 Introduction to Forensic Science - Lecture & Lab
4 credits
Forensic Science is the application of science to the examination of physical evidence obtained in the
investigation of a crime. Both the lecture and laboratory emphasize the role of forensic science within the
criminal justice system. Some of the topics to be covered include the crime scene, collection of physical
evidence, fingerprints, firearms, trace evidence and DNA analysis. When possible, there will be a field trip to
the local forensic science laboratory.
Notes: Strongly recommended for those who wish to pursue a career in law enforcement or forensic science.
Class hours: 3; Lab hours: 2; Offered in Fall and Spring semesters.
6. NUMBER OF CREDITS: 4
7. NUMBER OF CONTACT HOURS PER WEEK
a. Lab hours: 2
b. Lecture hours: 3
8. APPROXIMATE FREQUENCY OF OFFERING THIS COURSE: Fall and Spring semesters
9. PREREQUISITES or PLACEMENT SCORES: None
10. COREQUISITES: None
11. ASSOCIATED COURSES (such as field courses): None
12. PLACE OF THIS COURSE IN CURRICULUM:
Required for Curriculum: Criminal Justice - Corrections & Criminal Justice - Police
13. ADDITIONAL COMMENTS/CLASS NOTES: Students must register for both a lecture and lab section.
14. REQUIRED TEXTS AND/OR MATERIALS 1:
Lecture: Textbook - Criminalistics: An Introduction to Forensic Science, 11th edition.
Author – Richard Saferstein. Pearson Pub 2015.
Lab: Safety glasses, bound composition notebook, lab coat optional, simple calculator
1
Textbooks are subject to change each semester. For updated textbook requirements, please contact the
WCC Bookstore.
15. STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES (SLOs) and COURSE OBJECTIVES:
SLO/Objectives* - Upon successful completion,
This outcome will be measured* by one or more
the student will be able to:
of the following instruments (exercises, tools,
observations):
SLO 1: demonstrate an understanding of how
Measure: Quiz #1; Midterm exam; Mock crime
Crime Scene Investigators process a crime scene
scene lab
using forensic techniques.
Objective 1: document a crime scene using notes,
sketches and photography.
Objective 2: identify various type of evidence and
properly collect them.
Objective 3: prepare a crime scene report.
SLO 2: demonstrate an understanding of how to
Measure: Midterm exam; Firearms examination
distinguish between class and individual
lab; TLC of inks lab
characteristics in physical evidence.
Objective 1: describe the methods used to
examine physical evidence for class characteristics.
Objective 2: describe the methods used to
examine physical evidence for individual
characteristics.
SLO 3: demonstrate an understanding of the
Measure: Quiz #2; Measurements lab, Mock drug
laboratory tests conducted in the forensic lab by
lab; Firearms ID lab; Visible spectrophotometry
performing examinations used by the Forensic
lab for colored dyes and salicylates
Scientist on various types of “mock" evidence.
Objective 1: distinguish between “mock” drug
samples using thin layer chromatography.
Objective 2: describe the differences between
class characteristics and individual characteristics
in firearms evidence.
Objective 3: describe how spectrophotometry can
be used for both qualitative and quantitative tests.
*Variations from this basic plan may occur depending on the individual instructor teaching the course
and/or the time constraints of a given semester.
16. COURSE GRADING CRITERIA:
The final course grade1 will be calculated based on the following criteria:
60% written tests, 30% laboratory2, 10% class participation
1
Variations from this basic plan may occur depending on the instructor. Instructors will state their grading
procedures at the start of the term.
2
Exception: Students who fail the lab will fail the course regardless of their lecture average.
2
17. INSTRUCTIONAL METHODS: List the different instructional methods you might use, in the course of the
semester. List supplementary learning options, if any:
PowerPoint presentations, handouts, you-tube videos, demonstrations, tour of a forensic lab
18. TOPIC OUTLINE: Please see below.
19. UNIQUE ASPECTS OF COURSE (such as equipment, specified software, space requirements, etc.):
Microscopes, Visible spectrophotometers.
Lecture Topic Outline*
Week
1
2
2
3
3
4
4
5
5
6
6
7
7
8
8
9
9
10
10
11
11
12
12
13
13
14
14
15
15
16
M/W
W
M
W
M
W
M
W
M
W
M
W
M
W
M
W
M
W
M
W
M
W
M
W
M
W
M
W
M
W
M
Chapter
Pgs.
1- Introduction
3-27
2- Crime scene
28-57
2- Crime scene
3- Physical Evidence
58-73
4- Crime Scene Reconstruction
74-97
5- Death Investigation
90-123
5- Death Investigation
6- Fingerprints
124-147
6- Fingerprints
7- Microscope
148-165
8- Firearms, tool marks, impressions
166-201
9- Matter, Light and Glass examination
202-229
10- Hairs and Fibers
236-257
Midterm review pgs. 3-257, case presentations
Midterm exam
11- Drugs
258-297
11- Drugs
12- Forensic Toxicology
300-325
12- Forensic Toxicology
13- Metals, Paint and Soil
326-351
14- Forensic serology
352-37
15- DNA: The indispensable tool
376-405
15- DNA: The indispensable tool
16- Fire and Explosion Investigation
407-435
16- Fire and explosion Investigation
17- Document Examination
436-453
18- Computer Forensics
454-481
19- Mobile Device Forensics
482-493
Final Exam review
258-493
Final Exam
Exam Schedule
Quiz #1 Chaps 1-5
Midterm Chaps 1-10
Quiz #2 Chaps 11-13
Final Exam Chaps 11-19
*Exact topic content and time allotted to topics will depend on the individual instructor and/or the time constraints
of a given semester.
Laboratory Topic Outline*
Session/Week
1
2
3
4
Laboratory
1- Check in /safety
2- Crime Scene
3- Measurements
4- Visible spectrophotometry - color
3
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
5- Fingerprints - Identification
6- Fingerprint - Development
7- Firearms ID
8- TLC of drugs
9- Mock drug case
10- Visible spectrophotometry - Salicylates
11- Presumptive tests,
12- DNA Auto rad exam
13- Chemical analysis of Gunshot residue
14- TLC of inks
15- Impression evidence-Footwear toolmarks
*The laboratory schedule is subject to change depending on the individual instructor and/or the time constraints
of a given semester.
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