Course title

Pre-requisite

Course description

This course will cover the high school science standards as set forth by the state of Arizona. (http://www.azed.gov/standards-practices/science-standard/) Content area will be in Forensic Investigation; including such topics as crime scene investigation; collection and analysis of evidence; blood splatter patterns; fingerprinting; forensic anthropology; toxicology; death and decomposition; etc.
Syllabus (including detailed lab information)
Forensic Science Syllabus
Cholla High Magnet School
2014-2015
Instructor: Mrs. Valerie Frazier
Room: #A5
Phone: (520) 225-4061
E-mail: valerie.frazier@tusd1.org (preferred method
of contact)

Course Description:
This course will cover the high school science standards as set forth by the state of Arizona. (http://www.azed.gov/standards-practices/science-standard/) Content area will be in Forensic Investigation; including such topics as crime scene investigation; collection and analysis of evidence; blood splatter patterns; fingerprinting; forensic anthropology; toxicology; death and decomposition; etc.
Course Objectives:
• For the students to understand basic scientific techniques; including metric measurement; scientific notation; and basic math.
• For the students to define forensic science and explain how multiple scientific disciplines are used throughout the investigative process.
• For the students to be able to accurately collect and analyze evidence and use the Scientific Method to solve a crime.
• For the students to know the manners of death; what processes occur after death; and how the time of death can be determined.
• For the students to become familiar with fingerprinting techniques and how they can be used as an identifying feature.
• For the students to be able to analyze various aspects of bones; teeth; and bite-marks for use as identification and recreation of a crime scene.
• For the students to be able to describe the different types of trace evidence and explain how Locard’s Principle of Exchange can place a person at the scene of a crime.
• For the students to explain the effects of various toxins on humans; how they can be tested for; and their forensic importance.
• For the students to be able to explain the methods for DNA analysis and fingerprinting; and the practical applications for these procedures.
• For the students to describe the correct methods for the collection of blood to preserve its integrity.
• For the students to be able to understand how the characteristics of blood affect blood spatter patterns.
• For the students to be able to distinguish between the various blood types and to study bloodstain and blood splatter patterns in relation to type of violence for use in crime scene investigation..
Labs:
• Eyewitness factors and the Scientific Method
• Drawing a Crime Scene to scale
•Autopsy of a Fetal Pig- to determine cause; manner; and mechanism of death.
• Fingerprint retrieval and identification lab
• Bone measurement lab to correlate bone length to height in individuals with changes in independent variables
• Collection and identification of hair types
• Collection and identification of fiber types
• “Mysterious White Power” lab- identification of unknown toxins using physical and chemical properties
• DNA fingerprinting Lab- to solve whose DNA was left at the crime scene.
• Blood typing lab (using simulated blood)
• Genetics of offspring using dominant and recessive traits of individuals
• Blood spatter analysis lab 1 using free fall blood drop data analysis to determine angle of impact
• Blood spatter analysis lab 2 using forced spray spatter to determine angle of impact and point of origiN/Area of convergence; spatter patterns; and collection techniques
Lab Safety:
All students must pass a lab safety exam before being permitted to perform lab activities in the classroom.
Text Book:
There is no text book for this course; although students will be expected to read multiple shorter readings of Forensic cases.
Supplies:
• One 3-ring binder
• Loose-leaf paper
• 5 tabbed dividers
•Composition notebook (for class notes)
• Metric ruler
• Black or blue pens
• Highlighter
• Pencils with erasers
• Flash drive
• Scientific calculator (recommended)
• Colored pencils (recommended)
Requirements:
Activities will include; but are not limited to the following: laboratory work; research projects; oral presentations; reading; short essays; note-taking; class-work and homework.
Resources:
Include but are not limited to lab materials; library; computer lab; laptops; resource books in classroom; dictionaries.
Evaluation:
Performance activity will be assessed by test taking; oral questions; participation in class discussions; oral presentations; portfolios; group presentations; labs; and other means.
Classroom Expectations:
Attendance Policy: TUSD has a strict attendance policy; with attendance being recognized as a major factor in success. Absences of any kind numbering 10 or more may result in loss of credit for the class; pending appeal. It is imperative that you come to class every day. You will not receive credit for work missed during an unexcused absence; no exceptions. In the event of an absence; it is the student’s responsibility to obtain the make-up work from the teacher (see make-up work; below.) Visit the TUSD website for further details regarding the attendance policies for the district.
Tardy Policy: The policies and procedures for tardiness to class has been attached at the end of the syllabus. Please be advised that entering class after 50% of the period has passed is considered an absence; not a tardy.
Electronics Policy: Cell phones; iPods; MP3 players; etc are not permitted for use in the classroom without the express permission of the teacher. Cell phones should be turned off or placed on silent before entering the classroom; and all electronics should be kept out of view. Failure to abide by the policy will result in disciplinary action at the discretion of the administration.

Hall Passes:
ÔÉò Hall passes are a privilege; not a right. Abuse them and you will lose them.
ÔÉò Hall passes are for emergency only.
 No hall passes will be given to see the counselors – you must make an appointment to see them.
ÔÉò No passes are allowed the first and/or last 15 minutes of the class per administration
ÔÉò No pass log; no pass; no exceptions!
ÔÉò Visits to the nurse do not count against your hall pass log
Grading Policies: *New grading policies attached at end
Grading Scale:
90-100% = A
80-89% = B
70-79% = C
60-69% = D
‚Üì 59% = F
Grades:
• Grades will be updated on a weekly basis.
• Progress reports will be sent home every 2-3 weeks for parent signature.
• It is recommended that parents sign up for TUSDSTATS if they do not already have access. This allows you to see what grades your student is receiving and what work is missing; if any.
Homework/Classwork:
ÔÉò This class focuses on long-term projects and in-class labs so there is not homework on a nightly basis.
ÔÉò If homework is assigned; it is due by the end of 6th period on the day it is due unless stated otherwise
ÔÉò Late work policy:
o Work turned in after the DUE DATE will receive 10% off the earned grade at the discretion of the teacher; if turned in before the DEADLINE (see below)
o The DEADLINE for all work (the date after which it will no longer be accepted) is the day the of the unit test. Once the next unit has begun; work from the previous units will not be accepted for credit.
ÔÉò Absent work policy:
o If you are absent the day an assignment is due; you must turn it in the day you return. Please write the word “Absent” at the top of your paper so that it gets credited accordingly.
o If an assignment is given while you are absent; you will have as many days as you were absent to turn that assignment in when you return; unless the assignment is a long term one. For example: If you are given an overnight homework assignment while you were absent; and you were absent for 3 days; you will have 3 days after returning in which to complete the assignment and turn it in. You must write “Absent” on the top of your paper to earn the correct amount of credit. If you have a question; please ask rather than assume.
ÔÉò All assignments must be written legibly or they will not be graded.
Academic Dishonesty: *see the student handbook for further details about this
• Students are expected to do their own; original work for this class.
• Plagiarism or cheating will result in a zero for the assignment; as well as a call home and other discipline as decided by administration.
Keys for success:
• Attend class daily
• Be punctual
• Turn in all assignments
• Be responsible for obtaining make up work and returning it in a timely manner
• Review notes frequently
• Ask for help if you don’t understand something
• Communicate with your teacher and parents about concerns
• Utilize a planner and/or a calendar to keep track of due dates
TARDY POLICY (QUARTERLY)
Number of Tardies
(Per Class Period) Discipline
1 and 2 • Teacher/Student conference and warnings issued.
3 • Teacher/Student conference.
• Teacher contacts parent.
5 • Student and parental contact made.
• One (1) day after-school detention.
Grading
• All teachers will use “Making the Grade” and upload a minimum of two scores once a week.
• Teachers will assess student learning in a variety of ways over time.

School country

School state

School city

School / district Address

School zip code

Requested competency code

Date submitted

Approved

Approved competency code

• LBIO
• Biology

Approved date

Online / Virtual