Forensic Science 2014 – 2015
Union Academy
Lucinda Supernavage
 Email: lsupernavage@unionacademy.org
 Website: http://www.lucindasupernavage.com
 Remind101: text @forensicua to
910.556.6576 or email
forensicua@mail.remind101.com
 Vocabulary Practice:
http://www.quizlet.com
Welcome to Forensic Science! Welcome to Forensic Science! This course
focuses on the skills and concepts behind crime scene investigation and
forensic science. Whether you desire to be a crime scene investigator,
forensic pathologist, or some other medical scientist, this course will help
you hone your investigative skills & will review a wide range of science
concepts. You will review physics, chemistry, anatomy, cell biology,
environmental science, & computer science in the process of learning about
forensic science. You will engage in lectures, labs, case studies, projects,
online activities, & group work. Homework will be assigned and
participation in classwork, labs and projects is highly expected!
Your instructor is here to help you learn this material, but you are the one who has to make the effort
and do the learning. Daily, active learning (thinking about the information, putting it in context and,
especially, putting it in your own words) is the most efficient and most effective way to learn. Your time
is valuable; make the best possible use of the time you spend studying for this course.
Materials
 3-subject spiral notebook with plastic cover
 Pens and pencils and highlighters
 Glue sticks
 Email address
 Smiles, commitment, positive attitude, and motivation
Grading
Each term will be graded by the following percentages.
 40% Tests – exams, projects
 35% Quizzes – daily work, quizzes, vocabulary work, labs
 25% Homework
 Examples of activities will include, but are not limited to:
o textbook chapter studies
o portfolio work
o vocabulary building
o assessments (quizzes and exams)
o labs (full and mini)
o writing prompts
o PROJECTS!!!!
o crime scene simulations
Midterms will count as 10% of the year’s grade.
Final Exam will count as 20% of the year’s grade, however, seniors who complete the class
with an A average and have 3 or less absences in the class are exempt from taking the final
exam.
Make-Up Work
Exams
Students who are absent and excused on a scheduled exam day are responsible to make an
appointment with Mrs. Supernavage in order to make up the exam within two days of their
return to class.
Labs
Students who are absent and excused on a scheduled lab day must obtain lab data from a lab
partner as well as complete a written summary of what they missed in the lab during their
absence. This should be turned in with their lab sheet/report.
Homework
Homework assignments are due the next class period unless otherwise stated. Students who are
absent when homework is assigned will have two days following their return to class to
complete the specific assignment. Students who are present when homework is assigned, but
are absent the day when the assignment is due must submit the homework upon their return to
class. Assignments turned in after those deadlines will be considered late (see below).
Late Work
GRADED work assignments (such as lab reports) will be allowed to be turned in ONE day late
only for a MAXIMUM grade of 85%. Checked-for-completion work is NOT accepted late and
will result in a grade of 0%.
Discipline
Students are asked to follow the 8 character traits of compassion, respect, initiative, optimism,
perseverance, adaptability, responsibility, and trust. Be mindful of the tardy policy and please
come to class prepared and on time. Be respectful of what we are trying to accomplish in class
and in life and of others, and always give your best effort with a positive attitude. Appropriate
classroom behavior is expected at all times; anything else will not be tolerated. Cheating refers
to copying another person’s work OR giving your work to someone else and will result in an
automatic grade of zero and a parent contact. Electronic devices should be used for classwork
only with teacher permission. There are three questions I do NOT answer: 1) Is this for a grade?
2) Are you taking this up? 3) Is this due at the end of the period? These questions are asked as a
means of determining what type of effort one should put into the given assignment. ALWAYS
DO YOU BEST WORK ON ALL ASSIGNMENTS AND SHOW THE GREATEST EFFORT
POSSIBLE AND YOU WILL BE SUCCESSFUL IN MY CLASS.
Course Overview
1. Relevance and History of Forensic Science
2. Crime Scene Investigation
3. Forensic Pathology
4. Forensic Serology
5. Forensic Toxicology
6. Trace Evidence
7. Fingerprints
8. Properties of Matter and the Analysis of
Glass
9. Document Examination
10. Crime Tools
11. Criminal Profiling