Introduction II

UNIT OBJECTIVES

Students should be able to:

Name the scientific terminology for various body parts and describe the three main body planes.

Solve a common logic problem.

Describe the various jobs performed in the area of forensic study.

Describe various types of physical evidence and how they are collected.

Observe and process a crime scene.

Discuss the work of the medical examiner.

Determine the characteristics of a body after death.

Present a timeline of events in the development of forensic science.

Access the internet for specific information.

Observe the relevance of classroom study to real-life situation.

ASSIGNMENTS	SPECIFICS
Criminalistics	Saferstein--Chapter 1-3 pp. 1-75
Crime Scene	Ragle Chapters 1 and 2 pp. 11-88 Chapter 10 pp. 353-4
Class Notes	PowerPoint--You will need a password. Click here; enter the password; and view the presentation
Activities	Introduction Outline Make Your Own Logic Problem Creating Logic Puzzles Logic Puzzle Grid Maker Observation Lab Whatever Happened to Professor Potts?
Labs	Observation Lab Crime Scene--good resource The First 48 Hour Mystery Games
Technology	Data Base program Faces Program Test yourself: Serial Killers
Projects	Forensic Career Search Research Crime Portfolio with PowerPoint Presentation
Other	Video Autopsy II Coroner's Casebook Logic Problem 1 Crossword Review
Review	Teacher Review Sheet Criminalistics: An Introduction to Forensic Science
Assessments	Group Logic Problem Crime Scene Written Knowledge and Analysis Test

AUTOPSY--There are two tutorials to visit that will help with an understanding of how an autopsy is conducted.

HBO--Dr. Michael Baden performs a visual autopsy.
Ed Friedlander, M.D. (pathologist)--gives a detailed account of what is done during an autopsy.

Image on the right came from Autopsy Video,

CSI--Crime Scene Investigation

On the CSI website, you can navigate an interactive crime lab, look at cases that were solved on the program, and observe the forensics used to solve it. The handbook section contains information about tools, evidence and procedures. In addition, you can sign up as an agent in order to access online training, police codes, and the CSI leader board. Specific instructions will be given in class.

PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT--Crime Scene Investigation

POLICE REPORT

I was called to 1524 Hummingbird Lane at 10:30 p.m. The neighbors, Ron (65 years old) and Shirley (60) Ross, met me as I pulled up. They stated that they had arrived home at 10:15 to see a man running from the home of their neighbor. They called the police.

The front door was slightly ajar. Upon entering the house, I noticed that the TV was still on but nothing seemed out of the ordinary. In the kitchen area there was a broken glass next to the sink with what appeared to be blood droplets. The bedroom was neatly arranged except for an overturned jewelry box. The contents were scattered on the carpeted floor. A search of the rest of the house, revealed the body of a female lying in a prone position submerged in a bathtub of water. The body had no visible signs of life, was warm but not stiff. I called immediately for the paramedics and then interviewed the witnesses.

RON ROSS:
“My wife and I arrived home at approximately 10:15 and saw a man run from my neighbor’s house. We don’t know her very well. She only moved in a month ago. I think her name is Beth or something like that, but I don’t know her last name at all. The guy was in such a hurry that he didn't’t even shut the front door. That worried us and my wife ran into the house and called the police.”

SHIRLEY ROSS:
“I think her name is actually Bethany. Everything is usually pretty quiet at her house during the day, but I have heard cars coming and going at night. I think she has a boy friend that pays her a visit.”

AUTOPSY REPORT:
The woman was identified as Bethany Andrews by her sister. She is 26 years old, 5’5” and weighs 140 lbs. Around her neck were fingerlike marks. There was a slight contusion on the frontal area of her head. No cerebral hemorrhage was found upon internal investigation. The lungs contained a small amount of water. There was an enlarged heart with signs of ventricular atrophy. All other organs were found to be healthy and normal. Toxicology results: Large quantity of cocaine in the blood.

ARREST WARRANT:
A search warrant was issued for the boyfriend’s apartment and car. Upon examining these, the police discovered jewelry that had belonged to the deceased. Lab tests revealed that the blood in the kitchen and the fingerprints on the jewelry box did indeed belong to the boyfriend, Joe Cool. He was arrested on charges of first degree murder several days later at the home of his mother.

SCORING GUIDE

You are to write the opening statements for both the prosecuting attorney and defense attorney for Joe Cool. For the prosecutor, describe the story that you believe took place on Hummingbird Lane. Include the evidence you intend to present and how it implicates the defendant. In addition, provide the means, motive and opportunity that the defendant had in order to commit such a crime. For the defense, state your side of the story and the important points that will be brought up to give reasonable doubt as to the guilt of your client. End your paper by stating the verdict and interviewing at least 2 members of the jury.

Parameter Crime Scene Evaluation Evidence Sheet	Descriptions Lists the evidence found at the scene, including the lab results	POINTS 15
Prosecutors Case	Opening Statement Description of the Case Evidence and its Significance Means Motive Opportunity Closing Statement	25
Defense Case	Opening Statement Case Angle Evidence and its Significance (create reasonable doubt)	25
Jury	Decision Interview with jury members as to their reasoning	10
Accuracy of Forensic Information	accurately shows two sides plausible based on the evidence demonstrates an understanding of crime scene investigation	10
Writing Skills	well-written--easily understood well-developed--written in the way cases are presented no grammatical errors no spelling errors	15

Click to go to the top