UNIT OBJECTIVES

Students should be able to:

  • Name and describe the four major blood types.
  • Name and describe the three major blood cells.
  • Accurately type blood.
  • Solve genetic probabilities using blood types.
  • Describe and identify differences between animal and human blood.
  • Use probability to determine blood heritage.
  • Determine the blood spatter angle.
  • Observe and draw conclusions using blood spatter patterns.
ASSIGNMENTS
SPECIFICS
Criminalistics by Saferstein

Chapter 12----pages 328-360
Crime Scene by Ragle

Chapter 6----pages 205-249
Class Notes PowerPoint--You will need a password. Click here; enter the password; and view the presentation
Activities

Serology Outline
Labs

Testing for the Presence of Blood
Animal Blood Lab
Human Blood Typing
Blood Genetics
PGM and EAP
Probability
Blood Spatter Patterns
Case study scenario Literacy--Opinion Paper on Sam Sheppard
Technology

Crime Library
Article Blood, Sweat, and Tears
Other Video--Sam Sheppard
Logic Problem 5
Crossword Review
Anatomy Independent Study Blood Cells
Blood Circulation
Review

Criminalistics: An Introduction to Forensic Science
Do Chapter 12

See Teacher Review Sheet
Assessments

Performance Assessment-----Blood Spatter Crime Scene Analysis

Written Knowledge and Analysis Test

 

Determining whether or not a substance is blood.

  • Kastle-Meyer
  • Leukomalachite--observe a student perform this test. What substances are necessary and how is it done? What determines if the substance tests positive for blood?
BLOOD LAB--Can you tell the difference(s) between the human and animal blood?
FROG BLOOD
HUMAN BLOOD

 

Blood Spatter Lab Understanding--read the background information about the death of George Wilhelm and the conviction of Charles Goldblum. Study the three crimes that were involved with this murder. Then the affidavit written by Henry C. Lee and Michael Baden and Cyril Wrecht with the link on the same page. Than answer the following questions.

  1. Briefly describe the three crimes.
  2. Who do "they" think committed which crime?
  3. How are the crimes related to each other?
  4. What is the prosecutors theory of how George Wilhelm died?
  5. What's Goldblum's version of what happened?
  6. What did the blood spatter evidence tell us?
  7. Did the other medical examiners agree with these findings? Describe or explain.
  8. How would you have voted had you been on this jury? Explain your answer.
  9. What do you think should be done with this case based on your forensic knowledge?

Additional information about bloodstain pattern analysis can be found on the following websites:

PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT

Crime Scenario

A young female was murdered in her apartment on Parkridge Dr. Two white males were last with the victim. Both voluntarily gave a sample of their blood. Using gel plate #3, determine the P/N and EAP for:

  • the victim's blood in lane 1
  • suspect #1 in lane 10
  • suspect #2 in lane 6

What is the probability of each suspects' blood occurring within a given population?

How much difference would race make? Show or explain.

Observe the crime scene below. Would the suspects be arrested based on the blood evidence?

Based on your evidence, write a case scenario. Be creative and/or entertaining. You will be graded on neatness, completeness, thoroughness, and creativity.

SCORING GUIDE

Extending

4

Expected

3

Developing

2

Developing

1

Part A

20 Points

 Demonstrates a thorough understanding of the use of blood evidence in a court of law Displays a complete and accurate understanding of the generalizations, concepts and facts related to blood evidence Displays an incomplete understanding of the generalizations, concepts and facts specific to blood evidence Demonstrates severe misconceptions about the generalizations, concepts and facts specific to blood evidence

Part B

20 Points

 Mathematical evidence is accurate and correct in all sections In at least one section, mathematical evidence has an error in calculation or how it was set up Mathematical evidence has many errors Mathematical evidence is majority flawed.

Part C

20 Points

 Crime scene evidence is accurate and easily interpreted Crime scene evidence is accurate Crime scene evidence contains several mistakes Crime scene evidence contains gross mistakes

Part D

Interpretation

25 Points

 

 Interprets the information gathered for the task in an accurate and highly insightful way. Provides a highly creative and unique synthesis of the information. Accurately interprets information gathered for a task and concisely synthesizes it. Makes significant errors in interpreting the information gathered for the task or synthesizes the information imprecisely Grossly misinterprets the information gathered for the tasks or fails to synthesize it.

CHECK LIST: 5 points each

  • Organization
  • Correct Writing Mechanics
  • Word Processed

 

CASE STUDY SCENARIO
The Marilyn Sheppard murder was a sensationalized case of the 1950’s. Her husband, Sam, was accused of killing her. View the made for TV movie and then use the graphic organizer to plan your paper. Write your opinion using the following outline. You may wish to get additional background info from the Internet. A good one is found on PBS or CourtTV's crime library and Wrongful Imprisonment

SAM SHEPPARD

  • I. Overview of the story
  • II. Prosecution case
  • III. Forensic evidence--at least 5
  • IV. Your opinion--Who did it? Describe the means, motive and opportunity. What should the son do now?

 

SCORING GUIDE

Extending

4

Expected

3

Developing

2

Developing

1
The Original Case Effectively and creatively communicates the evidence and facts of the original trial or case Effectively communicates the evidence and facts of the original trial or case Has difficulty in understanding the evidence and/or facts of the original trail or case Misrepresents evidence and facts of the original trial or case
Presentation of Prosecution or Defense Presents a convincing case based on the evidence and scientific facts Presents a case based on the evidence and scientific facts Presents cases that is confusing and not very convincing Presents case that is not convincing and may actually misrepresent the facts
Forensic Evidence Evidence is accurate, detailed, and leads to the means, motive and opportunity of the suspect Evidence is accurate but not detailed. May lead to the suspect Some evidence missing or not detailed. Means, motive and/or opportunity lacking Evidence is poor or missing and does not lead to the suspect
Communication and Writing Skills Paper is well-developed, easily understood, and free of mechanical errors Paper is well-developed; may contain some mechanical errors Paper is not well-developed or contains several mechanical errors Paper is poorly developed and difficult to understand; may include many mechanical errors

Click to go to top