FORENSIC SCIENCE SYLLABUS 2012-2013
Instructor: Fisch, Sara
Email: sfisch@cps.edu
Office Hours: By appointment
Text: Bertino, Anthony J. (2009). Forensic Science, Fundamentals & Investigations.
Mason, OH: South-Western Cengage Learning
FORENSIC SCIENCE COURSE DESCRIPTION
Forensic science is a multidisciplinary applied science encompassing several sub-fields of biology, chemistry,
physics, and crime science investigation (CSI). These sub-fields include genetics, toxicology, entomology,
ballistics, pathology, computer forensics, fire debris and trace evidence. This course focuses on problem solving
within an interdisciplinary scientific, relevant context.
The curriculum for Forensic Science is derived from Illinois Learning Goals 11, 12, and 13 and will be assessed at
CRS bands 20-23 and 24-27. The course includes application scientific methodology (goal 11 – technological
design), science content (goal 12 – scientific principles), and use of science technologies (goal 13 – relationships in
science). The main topic of forensic science is to apply scientific methods to substantiate legal investigations.
Thus, the benchmarks described in state standards 11A and 13B should be the constant guides for the course. The
course information will be taught using hands-on instruction such as examining mock crime scenes or analyzing
evidence in laboratory activities.
Forensic Science is a college preparatory elective course that is taught as if it were a 400 level survey course in
college. The course is designed for students interested in pursuing a college degree and eventually working in a
crime laboratory or for law enforcement.
This course reinforces concepts established in 9th, 10th, and 11th grade core curriculum and serves as a fourth year
science course. Four years of science in high school allows students to enter employment or postsecondary
education better prepared.
GOALS
1. Students will be able to develop large-scale concepts through application of scientific inquiry.
2. The course will develop a student's ability to perform scientific inquiry (standards 11A and 13A) within the
interdisciplinary field of forensic science.
3. The content will be student-driven through inquiry and application of forensic science.
Evaluation
Tests: 15%
Quizzes:15%
Final and Midterm: 15%
Classwork (notes, participation…): 25%
Labs and Projects: 15%
Homework: 10%
Binder: 5%
GRADE SCALE
100---90% = A
89---80% = B
79---70% = C
69---60% = D
59---0% = F
ATTENDANCE POLICY & HOMEWORK POLICY:
Please follow the Student Code: In accordance to Chicago Public Schools Policy and as outlined in the Parent
Letter, and distributed by the class instructor.
Late work – Within two days of an excused absence, you may turn in missed work within two days
Missed Tests, Quizzes, Labs, and Projects – If a student misses a test, quiz, or lab for a CPS approved excuses;
they will have to make it up during tutoring sessions; immediately following the assignment. If the student fails to
attend the tutoring session they will receive a zero for the test, quiz, lab, or project.
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Attendance – Good attendance and punctuality are necessary for academic excellence. Students missing class due
to school activities must give notice at least 48 hours in advance. All work that is missed is the responsibility of
the student, regardless of the reason. Students will have a maximum of three days to make up work that is missed
due to EXCUSED absence only. If a student misses one day then it would be expected that it only take one day to
complete the missed assignments. A further description of the make-up policy for forensic science is found under
evaluation.
Student Responsibilities When Absent:
 It is also the student’s responsibility to get any class notes or discussion information missed.
 It is the student’s responsibility to contact the instructor and determine what work was missed while absent
this includes class notes, homework assignments, tests, quizzes, labs, and projects.
COMMON ASSESSMENTS: Common unit assessments will be administered to students every five weeks.
EXAMINATIONS: At the end of each semester, students will be given a common end of the semester final. This
final examination will be cumulative and worth 10%.
STUDENT ASSISTANCE/ RESOURCES:
Tutorial sessions are available for students before and after school at no cost to the student.
There is a recovery plan in place to help students to focus their energies on recovering from
missing or poor assignments as well as prolonged absences or frequent tardies. If the instructor
deems it necessary to implement a recovery plan, there will be a student conference and then a
parent conference to put the plan into place.
Class Expectations and Requirements:
1. Respect others and yourself.
2. Respect instructional time.
3. Come to class prepared to work and learn.
4. That we all help each other to succeed – we’re all in this together.
5. Have a good attitude and an open mind.
6. Bring your “A” game to class
7. No excuses: take responsibility for your actions
8. Don’t let anyone copy your work – if cheating or copying occurs, all students involved receive a zero.
9. You always have to try – even if you don’t particularly care for what we’re doing in class.
10. To adhere to all of Morgan Park’s school rules and policies.
11. To do homework and study forensic science outside of class.
Materials Required:
 (1) 3-ring binder for the portfolio
 1 quad ruled laboratory notebook (for crime scene sketches)
 Pen
 Scientific calculator
 Latex gloves, soap, and large zip-lock bags
 Tissue paper/ paper towels
Class Fee: A class fee of $30 will be collected to cover materials for projects, labs, and activities. 20 pts. extra
credit will be awarded to those who turn in the fee in the first two weeks. The $30 class fee is due by September
25th. After this date this fee will become a debt payable to the Main Office.
Class Website: Access to the class website will be essential to ensuring your success during the class. To access
the site go to http://www.morganparkcps.org. Then select Classes/Homework under the Students tab at the top of
the page. Select Forensic Science under Class Name. Here you will find downloadable notes, homework, weekly
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schedules, help/solutions to assignments, and other useful resources and materials to assist you. It is crucial that
you check this website on a daily basis to be successful in forensic science.
Accessing Grades and Performance
Students and Parents can access grades, attendance, missing work and other class pertinent information thru
IMPACT. There are separate accesses for the student (“Student Portal”) and the parent (“Parent Portal”) on the
IMPACT website. To access the site go to https://parent.cps.k12.il.us
COURSE SCHEDULE
WEEK
1, 2 & 3

TOPICS
Observation Skills
WEEK
23 & 24

4, 5 & 6

7, 8 & 9
TOPICS
Handwriting Analysis,
Forgery, and Counterfeiting
Art Fraud
25 & 26


Crime Scene
Investigation and
Evidence Collection
The Study of Hair
27 & 28

10
Quarter
Exam

Quarter Review
29
Quarter
Exam

11 & 12

A Study of Fibers and
Textiles
30 & 31

13 & 14

Fingerprints
32, & 33

Death: Meaning, Manner,
Mechanism, Cause, and
Time
Forensic Anthropology
15, 16, &
17
18 & 19
20
Semester
Exam
21 & 22

DNA Fingerprinting
34 & 35

Glass Evidence


Blood and Blood Spatter
Semester Exam Review
36 & 37
38
Semester
Exam

Casts & Impressions
•
Finals Review

Drug Identification and
Toxicology
Death: Meaning, Manner,
Mechanism, Cause, and
Time
Quarter Review
The instructor retains the right to vary this syllabus due to school schedule changes or as the
instructor deems necessary due to circumstances.
Ms. Sara Fisch
Type 31 Secondary Certificate, endorsed in Biology
Bachelors Degree in Philosophy-Neuroscience-Psychology, Washington University in St. Louis
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