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Forensic Science

Who, what, where, when, how? Answer these questions and more as you learn techniques that would help you catch a criminal! This course focuses on the skills and concepts behind crime scene investigation and forensic science. Whether you are interested in being a crime scene investigator, medical scientist, or if you just enjoy the topic, this course will help you hone your investigative skills and review a wide range of science concepts. “How do we properly analyze a crime scene?”, “How are different types of evidence collected and analyzed?”, “What technological advances help forensic scientists?” are just a few of the essential questions students will answer throughout the course.

Students will begin the course learning about the history of forensics and the importance of proper crime scene techniques for evidence to be used in court. Throughout the course, students will delve into how different types of evidence are collected, stored, analyzed, and their direct relationship to a crime. Specific topics will include DNA, fingerprints, document examination, drugs, ballistics, blood spatter, forensic anthropology, and more. The course will culminate in a final crime scene project where students will work collaboratively to collect crime scene data, analyze evidence, and use deductive reasoning to solve the crime and provide expert testimony usable in court.

Students will engage in an array of evidence analysis labs and activities to hone their skills as a forensic scientist. There will be a variety of instructional methods used in this course that range from readings, discussions, labs, group evaluations, projects, quizzes, tests, and an interdisciplinary final project. Each week, readings, discussions, and both hands-on and virtual lab experiences in evidence analysis will engage students in learning. Projects, practice quizzes, and tests will help to assess students throughout the course.

In this standard -level course, students are expected to invest approximately 6 hours per week on their course work.

Acknowledgements

Successful completion of a full year (or equivalent) of biology.

Please Note: This course contains an end-of-course proctored exam. Instructions for students to identify an appropriate adult proctor are included in the course lessons.

Course Objectives

Course Essential Questions:

  • How is Forensic Science used to solve criminal cases?
  • How has the field of Forensic Science evolved due to advancements in technology?

Course Learning Objectives:

  • Explain how different types of evidence are properly collected, stored and analyzed.
  • Collect and analyze evidence of a simulated crime scene, and use the evidence to justify conclusions.
  • Explain and provide examples of how technology has improved evidence analysis

Additional Requirements

Some supplies will be needed for students to complete hands-on lab activities including:

  • Printer paper
  • clay or play-doh
  • tools(hammer, screwdriver, etc.)
  • ruler
  • camera
  • calculator
  • ink pad or pencil
  • chocolate milk powder or talcum powder
  • packing tape
  • glass/plastic smooth, flat item
  • printer
  • tweezers
  • clean pair of socks
  • pipette or medicine dropper
  • whole milk
  • red food coloring
  • meter stick
  • protractor
  • clipboard or piece of cardboard