Name_________________________________________________________________________________
Forensic Science Course Syllabus
ONOME ALABI
FORENSIC SCIENCE
773 535 5263
OOALABI@CPS.EDU
The purpose of this class is to integrate all four sciences and incorporate actual job skills that forensic science
investigators use. This class is lab-based and these labs are true inquiry based, as are all crime scenes. In some
curriculum, there will be actual crime scene photographs and autopsy photographs. They will be respectful, relevant,
and limited to appropriate labs. The objective is to educate, not to shock. Court TV, CSI, and Forensic Files cases will
also be used.
Class Rules
1. All school rules will be followed in this class.
2. Since this class curriculum is lab based, please make every effort to be in attendance.
3. There will be a make-up lab date after school. Please sign up for this. If you miss this make up, I cannot
offer another lab time as equipment and space are limited.
4. LATE WORK WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED AFTER TWO WEEKS. IF YOU MISS
A MAKE UP DATE, YOU WILL BE DOCKED POINTS. LATE WORK
WITHOUT A LATE PASS WILL COUNT AS 50% CREDIT, WITHIN THE TWO
WEEKS.
5. LAB ASSIGNMENTS CAN ONLY BE MADE UP WITH WRITTEN EXCUSED
ABSECENCE NOTE FROM PARENT/GUARDIAN (PHONE NUMBER MUST
BE INCLUDED ON NOTE)
6. Please be respectful of equipment, books, and each other.
7. There will be no eating or drinking during labs. Unsafe behavior in the lab will forfeit
credit for that lab and have disciplinary consequences.
8. Authentic work is mandatory. Even if you are working with someone else, your work must be in your
own wording and completed by you alone.
9. If it becomes evident that work is copied, both parties will not earn credit. All assignment must be typed
by each individual and have authenticity. (Do not print out two copies of a lab you both worked on.) You
and your partner may have the same data and results. Your graphs and data tables will be of your own
design and your conclusions will be based upon your own interpretation of this data. I want you to think for
yourself. If two hypotheses or conclusions have the same wording, credit will not be given.
10. Save your work including lab assignments so that you may use it to study for the final CSI exams. Group
projects or crime scenes will have specific guidelines for grading and group participation; a rubric will be
given to each member of a CSI team.
Grading-Traditional Scale with weighting
40% Test, including crime scene tests, group tests
30% Lab and class work
15% Homework
15% final
Course Outline Topics
Crime Scene Processing
Entomology
Toxicology
Trace Evidence
Fingerprinting
Blood Spatter
Skeletal Remains
Tool Marks
Impressions
Microscopy
DNA
Odontology
Glass
Serology
Ballistics
Counterfeiting
Unit Expectations
Lecture, Lab ,Crime Scene Vocabulary Quiz, Pre –t est , Crime Scene Article, Test, Classwork, Computer Assignment
Science Contract
I have read and understand the syllabus and agree with the expectations listed. I understand that some material may be
graphic. I have also been informed regarding Meridian School District Safety Standards for Science. I understand that there is a
replacement fee for broken equipment. (Determined by type of equipment)
Parents,
Please list your email address so that I may contact you through email. I feel very privileged to be working with your child this
school year and I hope that this class will be one of the most meaningful of their high school career. Your signature below also
gives permission for your child to be fingerprinted; none will be kept or labeled. It is for lab purposed only.
Student Name (print) ___________________________________________________________ Period________________
Student Signature
__________________________________________________________
Parent Signature___________________________________________________________