COREQUISITE:

ENG101 - English Composition or equivalent

 

REQUIRED TEXTBOOK:

Open educational resources (OER) will be used in this course. All reading materials will be supplied by the instructor.

REQUIRED MATERIALS:  

1. Safety glasses are required for all on-campus sections.
2. Composition notebook is required for laboratory classes.

As the result of instructional activities, students will be able to:

1. interpret and analyze scientific information.
2. develop hypotheses based on the observation of natural phenomena.
3. explain experimental design based on a testable hypothesis as a result of observation and prediction.
4. record and organize data resulting from quantitative measurement using tables and graphs.
5. interpret and analyze data and come to conclusions based on the evidence presented.
6. calculate an initial unit of measurement to another unit using conversion factors from the unit of an equality.
7. describe the characteristics of an element using the periodic table and the combination of elements to form simple compounds.
8. describe several basic analytical techniques for the identification of organic and inorganic substances.
9. describe the optical principles of different microscopes and their application in examining various types of forensic evidence.
10. describe the characteristics of hair, fibers and paint and the different techniques used in a forensic examination to determine a probability match.
11. describe and give examples of the different classes of drugs and their physiological and psychological effects in humans as they relate to drug dependence.
12. describe the characteristics of alcohol toxicity and its detection in the breath and blood using forensic analysis tools.
13. describe the forensic aspects of arson and explosion investigations.
14. describe the forensic serology techniques used to characterize and individualize biological evidence.
15. describe the DNA typing techniques used to link with certainty the origin of biological evidence to a single individual.
16. describe the fundamental principles of fingerprints and the techniques used for detection and classification in the forensics laboratory.

LABORATORY OBJECTIVES:

The laboratory experience will reinforce scientific concepts and laboratory skills. Students will demonstrate ability to:

1. Record, organize, graph and perform computations upon the data collected in the laboratory.
2. Prepare a written laboratory report that effectively interprets and communicates their results.
3. Effectively use computers as a tool for communication, data collection, data analysis.
4. Perform laboratory activities where students collect, organize and analyze data demonstrating concepts from the major objectives listed above.
5. Demonstrate an understanding of operating and using a variety of techniques and instrumentation used in a forensic laboratory setting including:

Fingerprinting techniques and methodologies

Various Chromatographic methods

Horizontal Gel Electrophoresis

Compound Microscopes

Spectrophotometers

SUNY GENERAL EDUCATION KNOWLEDGE AREA LEARNING OUTCOMES:

Students will demonstrate the ability to:

1. understand the methods scientists use to explore natural phenomena, including:
   • observation
   • hypothesis development
   • measurement and data collection
   • experimentation
   • evaluation of evidence
   • employment of mathematical analysis
2. apply scientific data, concepts and models in one of the natural sciences

GENERAL TOPICS OUTLINE:

1. The Crime Scene
2. Physical Evidence
3. Physical Properties: Glass and Soil
4. Organic Analysis
5. Inorganic Analysis
6. The Microscope
7. Hairs, Fibers and Paint
8. Drugs
9. Forensic Toxicology
10. Forensic Aspects of Arson and Explosion Investigations
11. Forensic Serology and Bloodstain Pattern Analysis
12. DNA: The Indispensable Forensic Science Tool
13. Fingerprints
14. Firearms, Tool Marks, and Other Impressions

Feel free to contact a member of the Science Department or the Science Department Chair.