Forensic Science Course Syllabus
2015 – 2016 School Year
Jeannette City School District
Jeannette Senior High School
Ms. Deiseroth
Room 204
hdeiseroth@wiu.k12.pa.us
Prerequisite: Two years of high school science
Course Purpose: This is a half credit, semester course designed to provide the student with a basic
understanding of the application of science to real world forensics.
Grading: Quartile grades will be determined out of the percentage earned each nine weeks according to
the district grading scale and science grading category breakdown. Final Grades will be calculated as
follows: First Quartile – 40%, Second Quartile – 40%, Final 20%. Please make arrangements with me if
you need extra help. A weekly schedule is listed on the school website with links to assignments at
http://www.jeannette.k12.pa.us.
District Grading Scale
93% - 100% A
84% - 92% B
73% - 83% C
65% - 72% D
<65% F
Science Grading Category Breakdown
Homework – 10%
Classroom Participation – 10%
Writing – 5%
Projects/Labs/Case Studies – 25%
Quizzes – 10%
Exams – 40%
School Wide Assignment Information
 Incompletes due to absences must be completed within 10 school days from the end of the
quartile that is incomplete or the grade will be a zero
 All tests/quizzes should contain the Academic Integrity statement for students to sign
“I have not given or received any unauthorized assistance on this
assignment/examination.” (Student Signature)
 All typed assignments must be submitted with MLA formatted heading (this is not “graded,”
but it is necessary to be accepted)
 Students should SIGN their name to all work, not print (must be accurate cursive writing, not
“doctor’s signature”)
 All student answers on tests and collected work should restate the question within the
answer, not just write in complete sentence
Example: What color dress was Sara wearing?
Wrong answer: red
Wrong answer: It was red.
Wrong answer: She was wearing a red dress.
Correct answer: Sara was wearing a red dress.
Classroom Late Work Policy
ASSIGNMENT TYPE
on time
late 1 day
late >1 day
small ticket items
(assignments you will go over in
class the next day and provide
answers)
full credit
no credit
N/A
big ticket items
(assignments that you need to
check for formative assessment
purposes)
full credit
½ credit
no credit
projects, essays, labs, etc
full credit
1 day late
2 days late
3 days late
>3 days late
-10% off earned grade
-20% off earned grade
-30% off earned grade
NO credit (assignment must
be completed in library EP
and student will be placed
on restrictions list)
Absence Make Up Policy
All make up work must be initiated by the student. The number of days absent will be the
number of days allotted to turn in make up work (not to exceed 5 days). For example, if you are
absent for three days, you have 3 days to submit your make up work upon return. For example,
if you are absent for seven days, you have 5 days to submit your make up work upon return. If
the absence is due to out of school suspension make up work is due upon return.
Assessments: Students will be assessed in several ways including but not limited to notebook
checks, quizzes, exams, laboratories, homework, class activities, internet activities, research,
projects, midterm exam, and a final exam.
Students are suggested to keep a 3 Ring Binder for this course.
The following units will be covered in this course upon completion of a short safety unit.
Unit 1: Introduction
History of Forensics
Basic Services Provided by Crime Laboratories
The Functions of the Forensic Scientist
Provision of Expert Testimony
Standard Procedure for Approaching a Crime Scene
Collecting Evidence
Unit 2: Physical Evidence
Types of Analysis
Common Types of Physical Evidence
Unit 3: Glass and Soil
Glass Fractures
Stress Marks
Successive Penetrations
Forensic Characteristics of Soil
Fluorescence
Soil Comparisons
Density Gradient Tubes
Unit 4: Fingerprints
Fundamental Principles of Fingerprints
Ridge Characteristics
Anatomy of Fingerprints
Loops
Whorls
Arches
Automated Fingerprint Identification Systems (AFIS)
Crime-Scene Fingerprints
Dusting
Iodine Fuming
Ninhydrin Solution
Silver Nitrate
Other Ridge Patterns
Quick Reference Guide to Reading Prints
Unit 5: Hair and Fiber
Morphology of Hair
Cuticle Characteristics
Medullary Characteristics
Identification and Comparison of Hair
Frequently Asked Question about Hair
Fibers
Types of Fibers
Unit 6: Firearms
Handguns
Revolvers
Semiautomatic Pistols
Rifles
Shotguns
Other Firearms
Rifling
Caliber and Gauge
Firearm Terminology
Handgun Diagrams
Unit 7: Ammunition and Ballistics
Ammunition
Ammunition Design
Bullet Design
Bullet Compositions
Bullet Analysis & Comparison
Comparison Microscope
Cartridge Cases /
Gunpowder
Effect on Targets
Primer Residues on the Hands
Serial Number Restoration