ENTM 218
Introduction to
Forensic Science
Course Schedule & Syllabus
Fall 2011
Qui Locquitor Pro Victima
ENTM 218
Introduction to Forensic Science
Building CL 50 Room 224
Tuesday and Thursday 4:30 – 5:20 p.m.
Fall Semester 2011
This is the first of a three course series designed to provide the student
instruction on techniques in crime scene evidence collection documentation
and analysis.
Ralph Williams, Entomology, Smith B9
Professor of Entomology
Phone: 49-44560
E-mail:rew@purdue.edu
Patrick Jones, Entomology, Smith 152
Forensic Lab Director
Phone: 49-41079
Lab: 49-45963
E-mail: pjones@purdue.edu
The text used for this class is: Forensic Science, James & Nordby, editors, 3rd
Edition, CRC Press, Taylor & Francis Group
WARNING: Due to the graphic nature of this class and its contents, those who feel
they might exhibit a problem with some of the more explicit material that will be
shown or discussed during class should exercise caution. If there are any concerns
please contact one of the instructors for guidance.
Federal copyright laws and Indiana State statues relevant to deceased individuals
prohibit the copying or duplication or videotaping of any material presented as a part
of this class.
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LECTURE SCHEDULE
Week 1:
Lecture 1
Tuesday – August 23
Course introduction. Schedule, subject matter and expectations will be
discussed.
Readings: Chapter 1 and Appendix A Universal Precautions
[Williams, Jones]
Lecture 2
Thursday – August 25
Crime Scene Documentation. Various methods of documenting the crime
scene will be discussed.
Readings: Chapter 10. Notes, reports, imaging and drawings.
[Jones]
_______________________________________________________________________
Week 2:
Lecture 3
Tuesday – August 30
Crime Scene Procedures: Part 1
Readings: Chapter 10
[Williams]
Lecture 4
Thursday – September 1
Crime Scene Procedures: Part 2
Readings: NIJ Publications “Crime Scene Investigation”, Available for
download in pdf format at crimesceneforum.com\library.
[Jones]
________________________________________________________________________
Week 3:
Lecture 5
Tuesday – September 6
Trace evidence and methods to recover, collect, package and properly
submit to the crime lab will be discussed.
Readings: Chapter 17
[Williams]
Lecture 6
Thursday September 8
Photo Imaging. The use of photography to document a crime scene will
be discussed.
Readings: Chapter 11
[Jones]
________________________________________________________________________
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Week 4:
Lecture 7
Tuesday – September 13
Impressions: footwear, tire, toolmark
Readings: Chapters 19, 20, and 21 (pages 430-438)
[Williams]
Thursday – September 15
EXAM I – 100 points
[Williams, Jones]
________________________________________________________________________
Week 5:
Lecture 8
Tuesday – September 20
Exam review and case studies
[Williams, Jones]
Lecture 9
Thursday – September 22
Blood pattern analysis. The significance of the types of blood stain
patterns and what this can tell the investigator about the crime.
Readings: Chapter 12
[Detective Paul Huff, Lafayette Police Department]
_______________________________________________________________________
Week 6:
Lecture 10 Tuesday – September 27
Burglary investigation. Locks, locking devices, points of entry, and
perpetrator methodology will be discussed.
Readings: none
[Jones]
Lecture 11
Thursday – September 29
Fingerprints. Basic configuration, inked impressions, latent and patent
prints and their recovery.
Readings: Chapter 18
[Jones]
________________________________________________________________________
Week 7:
Lecture 12 Tuesday – October 4
Forensic Nursing.
Readings: Chapter 3
[TBA]
Lecture 13
Thursday – October 6
Coroner’s role in death investigation.
Readings: Chapter 4
[Jones]
________________________________________________________________________
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Week 8:
Tuesday – October 11
No class – October Break
Lecture 14
Thursday – October 13
Taphonomy. The study of what happens to an organism after its death.
This includes decomposition, post-mortem transport, burial, compaction,
and other chemical, biologic, or physical activity which affects the
remains of the organism.
Readings: Chapter 7
[Williams]
________________________________________________________________________
Week 9:
Lecture 15 Tuesday – October 19
Forensic Entomology. Collection and processing of entomological
evidence.
Readings: Chapter 9
[Williams]
Thursday – October 20
EXAM II – 100 points [Williams, Jones]
________________________________________________________________________
Week 10:
Lecture 16 Tuesday – October 25
Exam review and case studies
[Williams, Jones]
Lecture 17 Thursday – October 287
Arson and fire: understanding the origin and cause of arson and fire and
implication for investigation.
Readings: Chapter 25, and NIJ Publication “Fire and Arson Scene
Evidence.” Available for download in pdf format at
crimesceneforum.com\library.
[Jones]
_______________________________________________________________________
Week 11:
Lecture 18 Tuesday – November 1
Explosives: understanding the basic structure of explosives and uses in
criminal acts.
Readings: Chapter 25, and NIJ Publication “A Guide for Explosion and
Bombing Scene Investigation.” Available for download in pdf format at
crimesceneforum.com\library.
[Jones]
Lecture 19
Thursday – November 3
Wounds: An insight into how various types of wounds can provide
evidence related to the crime.
Readings: NIJ Publication “Death Investigation, A Guide for the Scene
Investigator.” Available for download in pdf format at
crimesceneforum.com\library.
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[Jones]
Week 12:
Lecture 20
Tuesday – November 8
Firearms: types of firearms, ammunition and the various examinations that
provide forensic evidence.
Readings: Chapter 21 (pages 407-430)
[Jones]
Lecture 21
Thursday – November 10
The Forensic Laboratory: Role of; laboratory sections and functions
Readings: Chapter 13
[Williams]
________________________________________________________________________
Week 13:
Tuesday – November 15
EXAM III – 100 points [Williams, Jones]
Lecture 22
Thursday – November 17
Exam review and case studies
[Williams, Jones]
________________________________________________________________________
Week 14:
Lecture 23 Tuesday – November 22
The Body Farm: Video and slides
[Williams, Jones]
Thursday - November 24
No Class – Happy Thanksgiving!
______________________________________________________
Week 15:
Lecture 24
Lecture 25
Tuesday – November 29
Cyber Crime.
Readings: Chapters 27 & 28
[TBA]
Thursday – December 2
Forensic Profiling. Information on the various types of psychological
information that can prove relevant in identifying criminals.
Readings: Chapter 32
[TBA]
NOTE: Students are to submit 2 typed or printed questions relevant to the
course material at the beginning of class on Tuesday, December 7. These
are not questions for the test, but your questions, such as if you want
something clarified or you are just curious.
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________________________________________________________________________
Week 16:
Lecture 26 Tuesday – December 6
Serial Killers. An insight into how serial killers track and select their
victims.
Readings – Chapter 31
[Jones]
Each student will prepare two questions in writing to be submitted at the
beginning of class. The questions will be relevant to topics covered
during the semester. They will be typed. The questions will be answered
by our panel in Lecture 27.
Lecture 27
Thursday – December 8
COURSE REVIEW.
Readings – none
The student is responsible for recording notes and class
material. The instructors will not provide the lecture material
to any student that misses a class. This is your responsibility.
A student must enroll and pass with a minimum grade of C in
ENTM 218 in order to register for ENTM 318 Criminalistics,
and ENTM 418 Advanced Criminalistics.
You may qualify for a minor in Forensics by taking the
sequence ENTM 218, 318 and 418 in addition to 9 approved
elective science credits. Please consult with your academic
advisor. The minor code is 088.
Qui Locquitor Pro Victima
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Grading:
Exam 1
Exam 2
Exam 3
Final Exam
Total pts
based on 500 points
100 points
100 points
100 points
200 points
500
Attendance Policy:
Excused absences are generally limited to Purdue University activities, health
problems, family emergencies and interview trips. (These must be documented).
If you miss a class, obtain the class notes from a classmate.
Any missed exams must be made-up within 7 calendar days of the student’s
return to school. Exams may be made up only if an excused absence is approved.
There are no provisions for “extra credit”. We do not grade on a curve.
Academic Dishonesty: Will not be tolerated.
-
If dishonesty is suspected during an exam, the student will be advised by the
instructor or teaching assistant and may be relocated in the room.
The student may be required to take a different examination and this exam
may be in a different form (write in or essay).
If dishonesty is suspected in an assignment or paper, the instructor will
resolve the issue in a meeting with the student.
In the event of a major campus emergency, course requirements, deadlines and grading
percentages are subject to changes that may be necessitated by a revised semester calendar
or other circumstances beyond the instructor’s control. Here are ways to get information about
changes in this course. Blackboard Vista web page, our email address: rew@purdue.edu or
pjones@purdue.edu, or office phones: Ralph: 765-494-4560 or Patrick: 765-494-1079 or
TAs: 765-494-5963.
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HELPFUL HINTS FOR SUCCESS IN HSCI / ENTM 218:
TAKE THE TIME TO LEARN NEW WORDS AND CONCEPTS – You
will be expected to know all the material presented and any reading assignments even if it
might seem trivial to you.
HAVE FUN AND ENJOY THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN – from
content and instructors about this fascinating field of Criminalistics.
ASK QUESTIONS – Instructors are happy to reply to your questions.
Check YACS - Grades. [https://courses.foodsci.purdue.edu/entm218/]
Purdue Forensic Science Website:
http://www.extension.entm.purdue.edu/forensics/
Purdue Forensic Science Club Website:
http://web.ics.purdue.edu/~pufsc/
Patrick Jones Website:
http://www.crimesceneforum.com
This is a source for the many useful bits of information.
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