Forensic Science

 

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Whenever you have excluded the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth.

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Sherlock Holmes
"The Adventure of the Beryl Coronet"

  



COURSE DESCRIPTION

Forensic Science is a two semester class. Each semester is independent and students have the option of taking one or both semesters. Students must have successfully completed or be concurrently enrolled in biology, chemistry and human anatomy.

The class is designed around authentic performance assessments with students working in teams to solve crimes using scientific knowledge and reasoning. It involves all areas of science including biology, anatomy, chemistry, physics, and earth science with an emphasis in complex reasoning and critical thinking. In addition, students must incorporate the use of technology, communication skills, language arts, art, family and consumer science, mathematics and social studies.

(Click on the photo below for a enlarged view of the interdisciplinary aspects of this class.)
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RATIONALE

The Forensic Science class is designed around the idea that in the real world all learning is interrelated and interdependent. This class blends all of the sciences with the core subject areas. Students will be asked to read, research, hypothesize, interview, compute and use deductive reasoning to propose crime solutions. With an ever increasing use of technology, the students will record data, draw conclusions, and formulate the best method for communicating results.

Integration is the method by which one learns. It connects subject areas and reflects what happens within the real world. Through forensic science, students become involved in many disciplines of study. They find value and relevance in what they study as they interact within the community at large.

The intention of this class, therefore, includes showing the interrelationships between all areas of study. It uses what is actually happening in the community, country and the world as its classroom and lab. As the student's improve on lab skills and procedures, they will exemplify what occurs in solving crimes. As they improve their deductive reasoning and critical thinking skills, they will develop a life long learning style.

COURSE GOALS

Students will:

  • Critically think through and formulate problems.
  • Identify and investigate probable solutions.
  • Properly collect and scientifically evaluate data.
  • Record results and draw logical conclusions based on the evidence.
  • Apply data to the given authentic situations.
  • Evaluate the most effective means of delivering the information.
  • Communicate the results of the work.

COMPETENCIES AND STATE ALIGNMENT

FORENSIC SCIENCE I
Competency
Mastery
Show Me Standards
1. Apply scientific laboratory processes and techniques to the solving of a crime.
80%
 1.3 Design and conduct field and laboratory investigations to the study of nature and society

3.5 Reason inductively from a set of specific facts; deductively from general premises

SC7 Process of scientific inquiry
2. Determine and perform the most appropriate method of testing samples while obtaining the most accurate results.
70%
 1.8 Organize data, information and ideas into useful forms for analysis or presentation

SC7 Process of scientific inquiry
3. Relate the structure and genetic uniqueness of DNA by applying it to an actual court case.
70%

1.6 Discover and evaluate patterns and relationship in information, ideas and structures.

2.1 Plan and make written, oral and visual presentations for a variety of purposes and audiences
4. Evaluate the scientific accuracy of the various fields of forensic science.
90%

1.7 Evaluate the accuracy of information and the reliability of its sources

4.1 Explain the reasoning and identify information used to support decisions
5. Predict and appropriately communicate the results of evidence collection and evaluation.
70%

3.1 Evaluate the extent to which a strategy addresses the problem

SC7 Process of scientific inquiry

COMPETENCIES AND STATE ALIGNMENT

FORENSIC SCIENCE II
Competency
Mastery
Show Me Standards
1. Apply scientific laboratory processes and techniques to the solving of a crime.
80%
 1.3 Design and conduct field and laboratory investigations to the study of nature and society

3.5 Reason inductively from a set of specific facts; deductively from general premises

SC7 Process of scientific inquiry
2. Produce, Lift, identify, and distinguish between various prints.
70%

1.2 Conduct research to answer questions and evaluate information and ideas

1.4 Use technological tools and other resources to locate, select and organize information

2.1 Plan and make written and visual presentations for a variety of purposes and audiences
3. Determine and perform the most appropriate method of testing samples while obtaining the most accurate results.
70%
 1.8 Organize data, information and ideas into useful forms for analysis or presentation

SC7 Process of scientific inquiry
4. Predict and appropriately communicate the results of evidence collection and evaluation.
80%

3.1 Evaluate the extent to which a strategy addresses the problem

SC7 Process of scientific inquiry
5. Evaluate the scientific accuracy of the various fields of forensic science.
90%

1.7 Evaluate the accuracy of information and the reliability of its sources

4.1 Explain the reasoning and identify information used to support decisions
6. Determine and properly communicate how the study of blood types, stains and patterns could lead to a conviction.
70%

1.6 Discover and evaluate patterns and relationship in information, ideas and structures

SC7 Process of Scientific inquiry

 

Danel Pals-- dpals@psdr3.org