INTRODUCTION TO FORENSIC SCIENCE AND CRIME SCENE ANALYSIS
UNIT OUTLINE
Time: 9 Days
Investigative Question: What information can be discovered from
a properly processed crime scene and what can be determined from
that information?
OBJECTIVES
NOTES & ACTIVITIES
CASE STUDIES
Describe the structure of the judicial
system and the role science plays
Describe the major developments in
forensic science
Judicial System Graphic Organizer
Lillian Oetting (1960)
PPT: Intro to FS ppt
The Atlanta Child Murders
(1979-1981)
Reading: Intro to Forensic Science
Reading: John Joubert
Reading: Serial Killers
Reading: Atlanta Child Murders,
Fibers and Probability
Historical Timeline
Reading: The CSI Effect
Compare the different types of
evidence for reliability and probative
value
PPT: Testimonial Evidence
HS-FS-CSA-1: Summarize Locard’s
exchange principle
Locard’s Principle Investigations:
Every Contact Leaves a Trace
HS-FS-CSA-2a: Explain how to
approach the initial investigation of a
crime scene
PPT: The 7 S’s of Crime Scene
Investigation
HS-FS-CSA-2b: Describe how to
identify primary and secondary crime
scenes and evidence
Crime Scene Sketch Activity:
Crime Scene Sketch Activity
Taking Notes at the Crime Scene
Activity
HS-FS-CSA-2c: Understand how to
identify, preserve and document
evidence
Research Project: Forensic Career
Pamphlet
HS-FS-CSA-2d: Construct a diagram
and reconstruct a crime scene
Activity: Can you Solve the
Mystery?
VOCABULARY
Circumstantial evidence
Analytical Skills
Chain of Custody
Crime Scene
Investigation
Direct evidence
Forensics
Observation
Primary crime scence
Crime Scene
Reconstruction
Eyewitness
Frye case
Opinion
Secondary crime scene
Class characteristics
Daubert ruling
Deductive reasoning
Fact
Individual characteristics
Paper bindle
First responder
Logic
Perception
Note: Assume that all homework is to be in your notebook the
next day, unless stated otherwise.
Day 1:
Warm-Up – Student info card
Discussion – Introductions, Safety Contract, Parent
Permission, Syllabus and Class Outline, Notebook Setup
Case Study: John Joubert
Notes - Intro to Forensic Science ppt
Activity: Questions on Intro to Forensic Science
Activity - Historical Timeline Activity Intro and
assignment of topics
Clean Up and Reflection: What area of forensic science
interests you the most and why?
HW: Get FS Release and Safety Contract signed by
parent (I don’t care how old you are!). Research
Timeline topic. Be prepared to create a mini-poster
tomorrow.
Day 2:
Warm-Up – Judicial System graphic organizer
Case Study: Atlanta Child Murders pt. 1
Activity - Timeline mini-posters and construct
timeline
Activity - Set up Locard’s Lab for tomorrow (gauze)
PPT – Testimonial Evidence
Clean Up and Reflection: How comfortable are you with
a conviction based solely on testimonial evidence?
Explain.
HW: Read Lillian Oetting Article and be prepared to
discuss tomorrow.
Day 3:
Warm-Up – Which Amendment to the US Constitution
covers searches and seizures of evidence? Under what
3 circumstances are the police allowed to seize
evidence without a warrant?
Case Study – Lillian Oetting
PPT: Physical Evidence
Lab - Locard’s Principle Investigation
Clean Up and Reflection: Why is a thorough
understanding of Locard’s Principle essential to
effective crime scene investigation?
HW: Finish writing up lab in your notebook.
Day 4:
Warm-Up – Explain chain of custody and why it is so
important.
Case Study: Atlanta Child Murders pt. 2
PPT: Intro to Crime Scene Investigation
Notes - Taking Notes at the Crime Scene
Activity – Taking Notes at the Crime Scene
Notes – Sketching a Crime Scene
Activity - Sketching a Crime Scene
Clean Up and Reflection: Why is it important to have a
rough sketch and a smooth sketch?
HW: Write out definitions to vocabulary words in your
lab notebook.
Day 5:
Warm-Up: Read Serial Killers article and answer
questions in notebook.
Case Study: Atlanta Child Murders pt. 3
Notes - Processing a Crime Scene
Lab: Processing a Crime Scene
Clean Up and Reflection: What is the most difficult
part of processing a crime scene, in your opinion?
Explain.
HW: Complete lab write-up if not done in class.
Day 6
Warm-Up: Read Forensic Career Pamphlet Research
Project. DUE: September 22, 2014
Case Study: Atlanta Child Murders pt. 4
Lab: Body Measurements
Clean Up and Reflection: What did you learn from this
lab?
HW: Complete lab write-up if not done in class.
Day 7
Warm Up: Write 3 questions you would like to ask our
speaker about Crime Scene Analysis.
Case Study: Reading - Atlanta Child Murders: Fibers
and Probability
Speaker: Crime Scene Analysis
Clean Up and Reflection: What stood out to you the
most about the speaker’s presentation and why?
HW: Finish reading the Fibers and Probability article
if we did not finish it in class.
Day 8
Warm Up: Write 2 questions for a study guide for this
unit on cards. Write the answers on the back of the
cards.
Case Study: Reading – List of Evidence in OJ Simpson
Double Murder Trial
Activity: OJ Essay
Activity: Study Guide for Unit 1
Clean Up and Reflection: What questions do you still
have about the material in this unit?
HW: Study for test
Day 9
Warm Up: What was Wayne Williams’ motivation for
committing the Atlanta Child Murders?
Activity – Complete Case Study Analysis, Conclusion
and Reflection
Discussion – Q&A for test
Test – Intro to Forensics and Crime Scene Analysis