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Criminal Justice IIICriminal Justice III: Investigations is the final course designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills to be successful in the sciences of criminal investigations.
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Teacher: Gray, Brandon
Course Standards
Scope and Development of Forensic Science
1) Articulate important historical events and contributors impacting the evolution of forensic
science and crime scene investigation in the United States. Use a timeline or other graphic to
illustrate the major developments from the 16th century to today, citing specific textual
evidence from textbooks, online and print journals, and other websites. Include any legislation
that mandates the practice of forensic science.
2) Define the term Criminalistics. Research a case study that involved a criminalist and report on
how his/her involvement in the case made a difference in the outcome. Cite evidence from
textbooks, online and digital professional journals, and case studies to support claims. Include
not only physical evidence analysis but also the application of physical and natural sciences.
3) Describe the eleven sections of forensic science as defined by the American Academy of
Forensic Science, and discuss associated laws that guide scientific work in forensics. Develop a
visual or graphic presentation to explain the roles and functions of each and relate to law and
public safety careers studied in previous courses.
4) Develop an argumentative essay that makes a claim about the influence of media on the
practices of crime investigations, citing a specific trial and the investigation leading up to it.
Discuss the differences between the gathering and presenting of crime scene evidence and the
depiction of that system in movies and television. Develop claim(s) and counterclaim(s) without
prejudice, supplying data and text-based evidence from sources consulted.
5) Citing information found on websites in the forensic links section of the American Academy of
Forensic Science, news media, and legislation, describe the evolution of the modern crime
laboratory. Discuss the features of present-day crime labs, including the differences between
public and private. Explore how they have changed law enforcement and the conviction of
criminals, their services and capabilities, and the new or emerging technologies they use.
Career Planning
6) Using the American Academy of Forensic Science and Young Forensic Scientist Forum,
investigate occupations within forensic science. Demonstrate an understanding of each
occupation by accurately articulating the following:
a. Roles and responsibilities of the position
b. Comparison of similar careers available in local, state, federal, and military systems
c. Educational, training, and certification requirements
7) Develop a career profile for at least three occupations related to forensic science and criminal
investigations, using print, online, and/or personal interview sources to capture at minimum the
following:
a. Job description
b. Essential knowledge and skills needed for the career
c. Program or path of study to reach occupational goals, beginning with high school and
proceeding through postsecondary
d. Licensure and credentialing requirements
e. Non-educational job requirements such as physical fitness tests, minimum age, and
psychological evaluations
Elements of Investigation
8) Identify emerging technologies and techniques being utilized by law enforcement while
gathering and processing evidence at a crime scene and in the laboratory. Review a current or
recent court case that utilized one of these technologies or techniques. Write an argumentative
essay debating if the technology could be an infringement on the defendant’s rights. An
example would be maintaining a database of DNA from birth.
9) Explain the law enforcement officer’s roles and responsibilities at a crime scene and the
elements of preserving and recording the crime scene; incorporate knowledge gained in
previous courses related to search and seizure of persons, property, and evidence. Photograph,
sketch, and make notes of a simulated crime scene to permanently record the scene following
law enforcement acceptable standards. Document findings with adherence to law enforcement
standards using acceptable terminology.
10) During a systematic search of a simulated crime scene, identify physical evidence. Demonstrate
the legal and acceptable methods for collecting, packaging, and preserving evidence, using the
appropriate procedures and tools.
11) Define the term “chain of evidence”. Review a court case in which the chain of evidence was not
followed, and explain the legal ramifications if the chain is disrupted; consider steps to prevent
evidence being excluded from a case.
Physical Evidence Analysis
For each of the standards in this section, evaluate court case studies related to each concept.
12) Investigate the science surrounding the physical properties of matter, and explain how they are
related to the role of the law enforcement officer when collecting evidence. Apply the principles
of temperature, weight and mass, density, and refractive index in the context of forensic
science.
13) Explain the physical composition of glass and relate the characteristics of various types such as
tempered and laminated. Demonstrate the skill of identifying the classifications of glass
fragments, and calculate the projectile path by examining glass fractures at a simulated scene.
14) Examine the forensic tools used in a field sobriety test and a blood alcohol test, and describe
legal guidelines that must be followed when performing each of these tests as they relate to the
constitutional rights of suspects. Evaluate concepts of toxicology and metabolism of alcohol, and
determine the effects of alcohol on persons of different weights, ages, and genders.
15) Evaluate a death related to chemicals that can be harmful or poisonous to the human body,
such as drugs or carbon monoxide. Describe the process for collecting and preserving toxicology
evidence and the techniques used for detecting the type of substance.
16) Analyze the scientific basis of tests performed on various body fluids and/or stains at a crime
scene to determine their origins. Demonstrate collection of simulated body fluids from a staged
crime scene to preserve and prevent contamination of the sample. Include in the demonstration
compliance with OSHA standards of practice when dealing with blood and body fluids.
17) Describe the techniques used to excavate bones from a crime scene and the methods for
distinguishing human bones from animal bones. Identify the parameters for determining the
age, sex, and possible ethnicity of a human skull.
18) Review an autopsy report to determine the time and cause of death through evaluation of body
temperature, rigor mortis, post mortem lividity, appearance of eyes, skin color, and presence of
entomology. Document findings in an informative essay or other report.
19) Debate in a written or oral presentation how DNA testing and the Combined DNA Index System
(CODIS) have changed the criminal justice system, citing evidence from professional print or
digital journals, case studies, court cases, or interviews with law enforcement or forensic
scientists to develop claim(s) and counterclaim(s).
20) Document the interpretation of a simulated bloodstain pattern, including the following
information:
a. Data gathered from pattern analysis concerning the violent event
b. Impact of surface texture, directionality, and angle on pattern
c. Calculation of angle of impact
d. Methods to determine the area of convergence and area of origin for impact spatter
patterns
e. Whether the spatter is classified as a low-, medium-, or high-velocity impact spatter
f. How the pattern was created and distinguishing features
g. Type of spatter
21) Compare and contrast the physical and microscopic properties of human hair vs. animal hair.
Demonstrate the skills of collecting and preserving hair evidence at a simulated crime scene.
22) Explain the automated fingerprint identification system (AFIS), why it was developed, and how it
is currently being utilized in law enforcement. Demonstrate the procedure for detecting
fingerprints, developing latent prints, and preserving developed prints.
23) Identify the recognizable characteristics, from bullets and cartridge casings, at a staged crime
scene or from a case study. Explain in a graphic presentation how these characteristics are
placed in the National Integrated Ballistics Information Network and the uses of the network by
local, state, and federal law enforcement.
24) Research the concepts surrounding bullet trajectory and its uses in criminal investigations for
determining victim and suspect locations and movements at a crime scene. Prepare a
professional written report summarizing this information.
25) Compare and contrast the various forensic techniques used at a crime scene and in the
laboratory to determine gunpowder residue, shoe prints, tool marks, tire marks and bite marks.
Provide a full explanation of each test.
Scope and Development of Forensic Science
1) Articulate important historical events and contributors impacting the evolution of forensic
science and crime scene investigation in the United States. Use a timeline or other graphic to
illustrate the major developments from the 16th century to today, citing specific textual
evidence from textbooks, online and print journals, and other websites. Include any legislation
that mandates the practice of forensic science.
2) Define the term Criminalistics. Research a case study that involved a criminalist and report on
how his/her involvement in the case made a difference in the outcome. Cite evidence from
textbooks, online and digital professional journals, and case studies to support claims. Include
not only physical evidence analysis but also the application of physical and natural sciences.
3) Describe the eleven sections of forensic science as defined by the American Academy of
Forensic Science, and discuss associated laws that guide scientific work in forensics. Develop a
visual or graphic presentation to explain the roles and functions of each and relate to law and
public safety careers studied in previous courses.
4) Develop an argumentative essay that makes a claim about the influence of media on the
practices of crime investigations, citing a specific trial and the investigation leading up to it.
Discuss the differences between the gathering and presenting of crime scene evidence and the
depiction of that system in movies and television. Develop claim(s) and counterclaim(s) without
prejudice, supplying data and text-based evidence from sources consulted.
5) Citing information found on websites in the forensic links section of the American Academy of
Forensic Science, news media, and legislation, describe the evolution of the modern crime
laboratory. Discuss the features of present-day crime labs, including the differences between
public and private. Explore how they have changed law enforcement and the conviction of
criminals, their services and capabilities, and the new or emerging technologies they use.
Career Planning
6) Using the American Academy of Forensic Science and Young Forensic Scientist Forum,
investigate occupations within forensic science. Demonstrate an understanding of each
occupation by accurately articulating the following:
a. Roles and responsibilities of the position
b. Comparison of similar careers available in local, state, federal, and military systems
c. Educational, training, and certification requirements
7) Develop a career profile for at least three occupations related to forensic science and criminal
investigations, using print, online, and/or personal interview sources to capture at minimum the
following:
a. Job description
b. Essential knowledge and skills needed for the career
c. Program or path of study to reach occupational goals, beginning with high school and
proceeding through postsecondary
d. Licensure and credentialing requirements
e. Non-educational job requirements such as physical fitness tests, minimum age, and
psychological evaluations
Elements of Investigation
8) Identify emerging technologies and techniques being utilized by law enforcement while
gathering and processing evidence at a crime scene and in the laboratory. Review a current or
recent court case that utilized one of these technologies or techniques. Write an argumentative
essay debating if the technology could be an infringement on the defendant’s rights. An
example would be maintaining a database of DNA from birth.
9) Explain the law enforcement officer’s roles and responsibilities at a crime scene and the
elements of preserving and recording the crime scene; incorporate knowledge gained in
previous courses related to search and seizure of persons, property, and evidence. Photograph,
sketch, and make notes of a simulated crime scene to permanently record the scene following
law enforcement acceptable standards. Document findings with adherence to law enforcement
standards using acceptable terminology.
10) During a systematic search of a simulated crime scene, identify physical evidence. Demonstrate
the legal and acceptable methods for collecting, packaging, and preserving evidence, using the
appropriate procedures and tools.
11) Define the term “chain of evidence”. Review a court case in which the chain of evidence was not
followed, and explain the legal ramifications if the chain is disrupted; consider steps to prevent
evidence being excluded from a case.
Physical Evidence Analysis
For each of the standards in this section, evaluate court case studies related to each concept.
12) Investigate the science surrounding the physical properties of matter, and explain how they are
related to the role of the law enforcement officer when collecting evidence. Apply the principles
of temperature, weight and mass, density, and refractive index in the context of forensic
science.
13) Explain the physical composition of glass and relate the characteristics of various types such as
tempered and laminated. Demonstrate the skill of identifying the classifications of glass
fragments, and calculate the projectile path by examining glass fractures at a simulated scene.
14) Examine the forensic tools used in a field sobriety test and a blood alcohol test, and describe
legal guidelines that must be followed when performing each of these tests as they relate to the
constitutional rights of suspects. Evaluate concepts of toxicology and metabolism of alcohol, and
determine the effects of alcohol on persons of different weights, ages, and genders.
15) Evaluate a death related to chemicals that can be harmful or poisonous to the human body,
such as drugs or carbon monoxide. Describe the process for collecting and preserving toxicology
evidence and the techniques used for detecting the type of substance.
16) Analyze the scientific basis of tests performed on various body fluids and/or stains at a crime
scene to determine their origins. Demonstrate collection of simulated body fluids from a staged
crime scene to preserve and prevent contamination of the sample. Include in the demonstration
compliance with OSHA standards of practice when dealing with blood and body fluids.
17) Describe the techniques used to excavate bones from a crime scene and the methods for
distinguishing human bones from animal bones. Identify the parameters for determining the
age, sex, and possible ethnicity of a human skull.
18) Review an autopsy report to determine the time and cause of death through evaluation of body
temperature, rigor mortis, post mortem lividity, appearance of eyes, skin color, and presence of
entomology. Document findings in an informative essay or other report.
19) Debate in a written or oral presentation how DNA testing and the Combined DNA Index System
(CODIS) have changed the criminal justice system, citing evidence from professional print or
digital journals, case studies, court cases, or interviews with law enforcement or forensic
scientists to develop claim(s) and counterclaim(s).
20) Document the interpretation of a simulated bloodstain pattern, including the following
information:
a. Data gathered from pattern analysis concerning the violent event
b. Impact of surface texture, directionality, and angle on pattern
c. Calculation of angle of impact
d. Methods to determine the area of convergence and area of origin for impact spatter
patterns
e. Whether the spatter is classified as a low-, medium-, or high-velocity impact spatter
f. How the pattern was created and distinguishing features
g. Type of spatter
21) Compare and contrast the physical and microscopic properties of human hair vs. animal hair.
Demonstrate the skills of collecting and preserving hair evidence at a simulated crime scene.
22) Explain the automated fingerprint identification system (AFIS), why it was developed, and how it
is currently being utilized in law enforcement. Demonstrate the procedure for detecting
fingerprints, developing latent prints, and preserving developed prints.
23) Identify the recognizable characteristics, from bullets and cartridge casings, at a staged crime
scene or from a case study. Explain in a graphic presentation how these characteristics are
placed in the National Integrated Ballistics Information Network and the uses of the network by
local, state, and federal law enforcement.
24) Research the concepts surrounding bullet trajectory and its uses in criminal investigations for
determining victim and suspect locations and movements at a crime scene. Prepare a
professional written report summarizing this information.
25) Compare and contrast the various forensic techniques used at a crime scene and in the
laboratory to determine gunpowder residue, shoe prints, tool marks, tire marks and bite marks.
Provide a full explanation of each test.