Department of Public Affairs
RoanokeCollege
Department of Public Affairs
Syllabus Spring 2011
CJUS-215E
Criminal Justice Forensics
Instructor: David Clayton Office: 378-5148 (Judi Pinckney)Mobile: 540-520-2588
Classroom: West Office hours: Wednesdays 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM – West 115
Class meetings: Wednesdays 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Textbook: Techniques of Crime Scene Investigation, Seventh Edition, B. Fisher, CRC Press
Course Objectives
This course is an introduction to the interdisciplinary features of the forensic sciences. Students will examine interrelationships between modern forensic science laboratories, law enforcement agencies and the court system. Emphasis will be placed on crime scene investigations, which encompasses collection, preservation, evaluation and interpretation of physical evidence. Selected criminal case histories will provide practical and comprehensive understanding of the various practitioners, institutions and decision-making points related to investigative and judicial processes. Hands-on examination and processing of crime mock scene materials, utilizing rudimentary investigative/forensic implements will be included in this course as time permits. Students are cautioned in advance that in-class lectures, materials and characterizations may be offensive to some; due to depiction/discussion of human anatomy, interpersonal violence/ mutilation, sex crime modus operandi, race, ethnicity, social class/ culture, religion, politics, extreme anti-social deviance, gender, homosexuality, ethics, morality and raw human emotions – effort will be made to accommodate the various student tolerances to such material.
Course Requirements
Examinations
Midterm and final exams will consist of short-answer questions prepared primarily from the text and material presented in class. The final exam is not comprehensive. A midterm exam is scheduled 02/23/11 (6:00-7:30 PM) and the final exam is scheduled 04/27/11 (6:00-9:00 PM)
Research Project
An essay of approximately eight pages, detailing historic and/or contemporary applications/perspectives of the forensic sciences as related to criminal investigations and the justice system. The essay may represent a general chronology of the development of the forensic sciences and the attendant medico-legal ramifications, or, may focus on a specific forensic science discipline of interest to the student. Research topics/objectives should be submitted for approval prior to February 16, 2011. Completed research papers are due April 20, 2011 and should be accompanied by an exact duplicate of the research paper on a floppy disk or CD. Disks/CD’s must be labeled with the student’s name.
Text Reading Assignments
Reading assignments are designed to correspond with class lecture/discussion, therefore, it is imperative that students read assigned material prior to class in order to optimize comprehension and to permit effective class participation/discussion.
Class Format
Students will not be penalized for passive classroom demeanor; however, verbally demonstrating comprehension can aid the instructor to in more accurately grading tests and essays. Each class session will feature selected text material and will typically include a non-text criminal case study to illustrate interesting and practical applications of the forensic sciences. As time permits, students will examine/process items for latent fingerprints and collect inked fingerprints necessary to determine identity and pattern/classification types.
Attendance
Regular class attendance is encouraged. Be assured, students will not succeed in this course if classes are missed and they fall behind.
Make-up Exams
It is the student’s responsibility to arrange make-up exams (in advance when possible) for exams not taken when scheduled. Make-up exams will not be taken during regularly scheduled class times – substantial justification will be required.
Extra Credit
It is recommended that students commit all of their resources to completion of the ambitious requisites of this course. Accordingly, extra credit projects are not generally applicable. However, extra credit proposals will be considered after mid-term.
Academic Integrity
Students enrolled in this class will be strictly accountable pursuant to the RoanokeCollege academic integrity policy and other applicable policies contained in the Academic Catalog.
Office Hours
I will be available to meet individually with students by appointment, or during the one-half hour period immediately preceding class. If a need to consult arises between class sessions, students may phone me at home.
Grading Formula
Grading ScaleGrading System
90 – 100 AMidterm Exam40%(max. 40 possible points)
80 – 89 B Final Exam40%(max. 40 possible points)
70 – 79 CResearch Paper20%(max. 20 possible points)
60 – 69 D
0 – 59 F
Example
Midterm Exam Grade90 (.4x90=36)36 Points
Final Exam Grade87 (.4x87=34.8)34.8 Points
Research Paper96 (.2x96=19.2) +19.2 Points
Total = 90.0 Points (letter grade = A)
Tentative Lecture and Class Schedule
DateChapterCase Study
01/19/111&2Footpath Murders – Landmark DNA Case
01/26/113&4The Wilson Murder – Forensic Experts at Odds
02/02/115Southside Strangler – Psychological Profiling/DNA/Serology
02/09/116The Disappearance of Helle Crafts – Multiple Forensics
02/16/118The Blood Trail – Blood, Fiber, and Imprint Evidence
02/23/11Midterm Exam (taken during regularly scheduled class period)
• Deadline for submission of research paper topics
03/02/117&9Postal Mortem – Explosives and Document Evidence
03/09/11Spring Break
03/16/1110The Magic Bullet – External and Terminal Ballistics
03/23/1111Charred Remains – Unidentified Deceased Investigation
03/30/1112
04/06/1113The Common Thread – Multiple Forensics
04/13/1114&15Missing Person – Blood Spatter Interpretation, Luminol
04/20/1116Insect Clues – Forensic Entomology
• Research Papers due
04/27/11Final Exam
Electronic Devices
Cell phones and pagers must be turned off prior to entering the classroom or lab.
The use of any electronic device during a quiz or exam is strictly prohibited. This includes PalmPilots, Pocket PCs, and Blackberrys. Any use of such devices during a quiz or exam will be considered a breach of academic integrity. Basic handheld calculators may be used on certain quizzes and exams only when announced by the instructor.
Special Academic Needs
Students on record with the College’s Special Services as having special academic or physical needs requiring accommodations should discuss this with me as soon as possible. Accommodations must be discussed before they can be implemented. Also, please note that arrangements for extended times on exams and testing in a semi-private setting must be made at least one week before the exams.
If you believe you are eligible for accommodations but have not yet formally contacted Special Services, contact the Office of Academic Services (x2248).