• Mr. Salerno is teaching Forensics

    To register for Google classroom updates, please see or email Mr. Salerno for the code. 

    EMAIL questions: [email protected]

    Materials Needed for Day One:

    • 3-ring binder (can be shared with other subjects)
    • Loose Leaf notebook paper
    • At least one blue or black pen
    • At least one pencil for problem-solving

     

    FORENSIC SCIENCE UNITS & TOPICS OF STUDY

    Prerequisite: Biology CP and Chemistry CP Grades: 11, 12

    This course provides students with an introduction to the science of forensics.  Students explore concepts through a variety of laboratory investigations. Topics of study include DNA analysis, crime, anthropology, comparative skeletal anatomy, blood composition and behavior, entomology as it relates to crime solving, genetics, odontology, and pathology. Warning: crime scene images and descriptions may be graphic in nature.

    Forensics Textbook Website: http://wps.prenhall.com/chet_saferstein_forensicscience_1/59/15205/3892550.cw/index.html

    Unit 1: Evidence tells the story of a crime

    During this unit, students learn basic vocabulary associated with crime scene analysis as well as explore testimonial evidence. Students also explore the various types of physical evidence that can be found at a crime scene and learn how they are used to help investigators. This unit provides an overview of many types of physical evidence that students will later spend time investigating in more detail, such as fingerprints, impression evidence (tire tracks), hair & fibers, chromatography, blood evidence, and DNA.

    Unit 2: Human Remains provide Details (Autopsy)

    During this unit, students learn to identify the main bones in the human body as well as investigate the role of forensic anthropologists in crime solving. Forensic anthropologists identify and examine human skeletal remains to gain insight into a crime. Human remains also provide details about victims and the cause of death. An autopsy is performed if the death is suspicious or unexplained.

    Unit 4: DNA Evidence

    During this unit, students learn about DNA and its use in forensic science. A brief overview of DNA science will be given to clarify the terminology and techniques described for forensic and basic analysis. A historical as well as scientific discussion of the molecular biological tools used to determine DNA profiles and database analysis following such application will also be covered. Students are introduced to DNA evidence at a crime scene. They will learn about processing DNA evidence and the DNA fingerprinting process.

    More to follow