Forensic Science Course Outline PDF

THE COUNCIL OF COMMUNITY COLLEGES OF JAMAICA COURSE NAME: Forensic Science COURSE CODE: CJUS1301 CREDITS: 3 CONTACT HOURS: 75 (45 hours practical and 30 hours theory) PRE-REQUISITE(S): None CO-REQUISITE(S):...

THE COUNCIL OF COMMUNITY COLLEGES OF JAMAICA COURSE NAME: Forensic Science COURSE CODE: CJUS1301 CREDITS: 3 CONTACT HOURS: 75 (45 hours practical and 30 hours theory) PRE-REQUISITE(S): None CO-REQUISITE(S): None SEMESTER: COURSE DESCRIPTION: Forensic science is the application of scientific knowledge to questions of civil and criminal law. This course is a lab-based, practical course that will look at what forensic scientists do. You will learn innovative forensic methods and use scientific methods to solve legal problems. This course will focus on collection and analysis of crime scene evidence and explore lab analysis techniques. Forensic scientists are required to testify in court about their methods and analysis of evidence. You need to be able to clearly and concisely explain the results of the labs and techniques you use, and explain the significance of your results in lab reports. COURSE OUTCOMES: At the end of this course, you should be able to: 1. know the history of forensic sciences and its development in popular culture 2. understand the roles of professionals involved in evaluating a crime scene and the collected evidence 3. understand the methods of data collection and interpretation, avoiding contamination, and preservation of chain of custody 4. appreciate how to present evidence in a professional manner. 5. apply forensic science principles and concepts 6. research new and emerging trends in forensic science CCCJ Implementation Date: September 2017 Associate of Science Degree: Criminal Justice Version: 2.0 UNIT I Introduction to the Forensics Sciences (8 hours) Learner Outcomes: At the end of this unit, you will be able to: 1. assess the basic components of several sub-fields of forensic science and emerging forensic techniques. 2. illustrate how the crime laboratory is organised for effective use. 3. explore forensic science disciplines through research. 4. assess the roles and functions of the forensic scientist and the crime laboratory 5. explore the contribution of information technologies to forensic science Content: 1. Forensic Awareness branches of Forensic Science and their functions 2. Organization of a Crime Laboratory 3. Roles and functions of the Crime Laboratory 4. Roles and functions of forensic scientist 5. Information Communication Technology and forensic science: computer and mobile forensics UNIT II Forensic Psychology (4 hours) Learner Outcomes: At the end of this unit, you will be able to: 1. 2. behavioral patterns 3. Content: 1. Mental Deviance 2. Criminal Profiling CCCJ Implementation Date: September 2017 Associate of Science Degree: Criminal Justice Version: 2.0 UNIT III Forensic Anthropology (8 hours) Learner Outcomes: At the end of this unit, you will be able to: 1. discuss specific areas where forensic odontology is utilized in criminal cases 2. identify isolated or fragmentary bones in archaeological and forensic contexts Content: 1. Introduction to Forensic Anthropology 2. Human Bone vs. Animal Bone 3. Ancestry from Skeletal Remains 4. Determining Types of Trauma from Skeletal Remains 5. Forensic Odontology UNIT IV Forensic Pathology (4 hours) Learner Outcomes: At the end of this unit, you will be able to: 1. classify the types of death in forensic context 2. examine cadavers in a forensic context 3. explain the processes of decay in forensic applications 4. analyze the body in order to establish time of death Content: 1. Different classes of death examples: natural, accidental, suicide homicide 2. Brief review of history of Autopsy 3. Brief introduction to eight (8) parameters of autopsy 4. Different stages of decomposition definition, algor mortis, rigor mortis, livor mortis 5. Brief introduction to Forensic Entomology UNIT V Forensic Toxicology (7 hours) Learner Outcomes: At the end of this unit, you will be able to: 1. describe general concepts applicable to forensic toxicology including pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics 2. identify a variety of drugs in forensic applications CCCJ Implementation Date: September 2017 Associate of Science Degree: Criminal Justice Version: 2.0 Content: 1. The Role of the Toxicologist 2. Techniques Used in Toxicology drug identification techniques/chemical tests 3. Narcotic Drugs 4. Hallucinogens 5. Depressants 6. Stimulants 7. Club drugs 8. Anabolic Steroids 9. The Significance of Toxicological Findings UNIT VI Microscope and Forensic Science (4 hours) Learner Outcomes: At the end of this unit, you will be able to: 1. utilize the various types of microscopes 2. analyze samples of evidence using the correct microscopes Content: 1. The Compound Microscope 2. The Comparison Microscope 3. The Stereoscopic Microscope 4. The Polarizing Microscope 5. The Micro spectrophotometer 6. The Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) UNIT VII Recording a Crime Scene (12 hours) Learner Outcomes: At the end of this unit, you will be able to: 1. use contemporary and pragmatic photographic techniques to document crime scenes 2. prepare a comprehensive crime scene report 3. prepare a crime scene sketch Content: 1. Videotaping a crime scene CCCJ Implementation Date: September 2017 Associate of Science Degree: Criminal Justice Version: 2.0  2. Photographing death investigation scenes - suicides, homicides 3. Photographing property crime scenes property break-ins, robberies etc. 4. Examination quality photography photographing prints, impressions panted, latent, plastics, impressions made in blood, blood stain patterns 5. Photographing motor vehicles 6. Crime scene report writing 7. Crime scene sketch UNIT VIII Evidence Collections and Chain of Custody (10 hours) Learner Outcomes: At the end of this unit, you will be able to: 1. differentiate between the types of physical evidences 2. collect and package physical evidences according to appropriate forensic standards 3. collect and package cadavers according to appropriate forensic standards Content: 1. 2. Definition of the term evidence in forensics 3. Types of physical evidences 4. Methods of evidence collections, packaging and chain of custody 5. Packaging cadavers decomposed, fresh, on land and in water 6. Collection and preservation of evidence biological eg - blood, saliva, semen, vaginal fluids; physical eg - glass, soil, fire debris, arson evidence and paint UNIT IX Hair and Fiber Evidences (4 hours) Learner Outcomes: At the end of this unit, you will be able to: 1. identify different samples from a crime scene for hair and fiber evidences 2. analyze hair, fiber and botanical remains Content: 1. Identification and Comparison of Hair Samples 2. Types of Fibers 3. Identification and Comparison of Manufactured Fibers 4. Botanical Remains: Pollen, Seeds, and Other Remains CCCJ Implementation Date: September 2017 Associate of Science Degree: Criminal Justice Version: 2.0 UNIT X The Crime Scene (12 hours) Learner Outcomes: At the end of this unit, you will be able to: 1. review the duties and responsibilities of the First Responding Officer to a crime scene 2. apply new information in securing and documenting the scene of a crime 3. utilize techniques for the collection of evidence and the sequence of custody 4. use photography in the documentation, recording and preservation of a crime scene Content: 1. Duties and responsibilities of a First Responding Officer 2. Legal consideration at the Crime Scene 3. Crime Scene processing protocols 4. Recording the crime scene 5. Crime Scene Photography: Appropriate Documentation of the Crime Scene 6. Photographic Evidence and Register Recording CCCJ Implementation Date: September 2017 Associate of Science Degree: Criminal Justice Version: 2.0 METHODS OF DELIVERY: 1. Discussion 2. Lectures 3. Guest lectures 4. Interviews 5. Research 6. Observation 7. Presentations 8. Experiments 9. Field trips/Lab visits 10. Research 11. YouTube video presentations 12. Demonstration 13. Simulation 14. Case Studies and Analysis METHODS OF ASSESSMENT AND EVALUATION: 1. Course work a. Lab work 30% b. Test/quizzes 10% 2. Final Assessment a. Labs 30% b. Final Test (2 hours) 30% RECOMMENDED TEXTS: Jackson, A. R.W and Jackson, J.M (2011). Forensic Science (3rd ed.) Prentice Hall: NJ Saferstein, R. (2013) Criminalistics: Introduction to Forensic Science, (10th ed.) Pearson Education; London: UK ONLINE RESOURCES: Ebscohost Databases. http://www.ebscohost.com American Academy of Forensic Sciences http://www.aafs.org The International Association of Law and Forensic Sciences http:ialfs.org Wiley Online Library: Journal of Forensic Sciences CCCJ Implementation Date: September 2017 Associate of Science Degree: Criminal Justice Version: 2.0