CH 320
INTRODUCTION TO FORENSIC SCIENCE

Fall 2007




Instructor: Dr. Arlene Courtney, NS 112
Office Hours: MWF 9-10, W 1-2, Th 11-12
Texts: Saferstein, Criminalistics, 8th Edition
   
Course Description: This course will survey the applications of science in criminal investigationparticularly how physical evidence is located at crime scenes and how such samples are processed in the crime lab.

The prerequisite for this course is one year of college chemistry or consent of instructor.



COURSE SCHEDULE

Date Topic Text Reading Other Assignments
9/26 Introduction to Forensic Science

 

Labor Market Info: Criminalists
Careers in Forensic Science
The Legal System
How Lawyers Use Expert Witnesses

The Frye Opinion
Daubert v Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals
Kumho TIre v Carmichael
State Admissibility Standards

10/01 The Scientific Method
Ch 1

Steps in the Scientific Method

10/03 The Crime Scene: Evidence Collection & Preservation Ch 2
Crime Scene Investigations
Crime Scene Measurement
Crime Scene Photography
Crime Scene Evidence Files
Michigan v Tyler
10/08 Physical Evidence

Ch 3

Admissibility of Scientific Evidence Under Daubert
The Daubert Case

Case Solved With Aid of Fracture Match
State v Kunze

10/10

Quiz #1

     

10/15

Physical Properties: Soil & Glass

Ch 4
Corning Museum's Glass Resource
10/17 Chromatography

Ch 5: pp. 129-147 Chromatography
TLC
Paper Chromatography
Gas Chromatography
Animated GC Movie
HPLC
The Poisoned Needle
Electrophoresis
Chromatography Applied to Inks
10/22 Spectroscopy

Ch 5: pp.147-155 Spectroscopy
IR Spectroscopy
Molecular Spectroscopy
10/24 Mass Spectrometry Ch 5: 155-160 MS for the Novice
GC/MS For Chromatographers
Animated GC/MS Movie
Mass Spec Tutorial
The Virtual GC/MS
10/29 Inorganic Analysis

Ch 6 Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy
Atomic Emission Spectroscopy
Neutron Activation Analysis
The Kennedy AssassinationNeutron Activation & Kennedy Assassination
Guinn's Expert Testimony:NAA of JFK Bullets
JFK Assassination Research Materials

10/31

Quiz #2

The Microscope

Ch 7 Microscope Primer
The Electron Microscope
Scanning Electron Microscopy
Arson -Homicide Cases Study

11/05

Hairs, Fibers & Paint

Ch 8 Hair Morphology
Ethnic Differences
Identification of Animal Hair
Fibers
Paint Chemistry
11/07 Arson & Explosion Investigation

Ch 11 Alfred Nobel
Black Powder
Federal Explosives Law
List of Explosive Materials
11/12 Fingerprints

Ch 14 Fingerprints

11/14

Quiz #3

Drugs

Ch 9 Identification of Drugs
Tobacco & Crime
Lycaeum

11/19

Forensic Toxicology

Ch 10 Forensic Toxicology
11/21 Forensic Serology

Ch 12 Bloodstain Photography
Blood Types
Blood Types Close Up
11/26 DNA

Ch 13 DNA FIngerprinting
DNA From the Beginning
Introductory Statistics
What the Heck is PCR
PCR Graphic
VNTR's
RFLP Analysis

11/28

Quiz #4

Firearms & Impressions

Ch 15

External Ballistics
How Do Bullets Fly?
Internal Ballistics
Matching Bullets to Guns
Weapon Identification
Shoeprint & Tire Track Examination Resources
Forensic Firearms Identification
Firearms Tutorial
Firearm Image Library

Links to Graphics for Final Exam

12/03
CUMULATIVE FINAL EXAM


GRADING SCALE
QUIZZES 4@50 pts 200 pts A: 400-430 pts

B: 348-332 pts

C: 308-292 pts

D: 268-252 pts

F: Below 240 pts
FINAL EXAM*   200 pts
     
  TOTAL 400 pts

                                            *Late Exams will not be accepted!







Direct suggestions, comments, and questions about this page to mailto:courtna@wou.edu.
Last Modified August 23, 2007



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