INTRODUCTION TO FORENSIC SCIENCE (JUST 281) Fall, 2008 5:30 – 8:20 p.m., Monday Instructor: Joy Pugh, Northeast Criminalistics Laboratory, Barnett Hall Room 2220 Phone: 785-4686 E-mail: [email protected] Students are encouraged to visit my office/laboratory anytime during the week. Should I be involved in a laboratory procedure or other crime laboratory business that can’t be interrupted, you may be asked to stop in at another time. Making an appointment in advance will minimize such conflicts, and will also allow me to devote my full attention to your visit. On occasions when I must be out of the laboratory for an extended time, I will forward my calls to the department office (I do not have voice mail). Messages may be left with receptionists at the Justice Systems/AGS office (Barnett 2210, 785-4667), however, they will not be able to directly schedule my appointments. Electronic mail is another good option for communication, as I try to check messages on a regular basis. Required Textbook: Richard Saferstein, Criminalistics: An Introduction to Forensic Science, 9th ed. (Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall, 2007); ISBN 0-13-221655-8. This textbook, written by a forensic scientist, is geared toward those individuals with no prior experience in crime laboratory techniques. There are review questions at the end of each chapter, case readings, and appendices that will be useful for study in this course. Additional information and readings will also be supplied at class meetings throughout the semester. Course Objectives: This course is designed as an introduction to the crime laboratory, with a focus on the proper use of forensic science in the investigation and resolution of crimes. By examining historical and current applications, the strengths and limitations of the scientific analysis of physical evidence will be stressed. Students completing this course will have a working understanding of how justice systems can interact with, and derive the most benefit from, the services of a crime laboratory. To accomplish these objectives, each student will, at times, take on the role of a forensic scientist, as we examine several types of physical evidence that a forensic scientist might encounter. Assignments: Readings from the text and other sources, the use of audiovisual material, and the practical exercises are designed to illustrate, summarize, and enhance topics discussed in class. Simulated case exercises will provide application of the fundamentals of forensic science acquired by students throughout the semester. A large percentage of the assignments will result in written communication; therefore, excellent writing skills are expected, and will be encouraged, in this course. This expectation will especially apply to the formal case reports. Further instructions will be given on the construction of these reports. In addition to those instructions, I will assume that the basic rules of grammar and sentence structure will be followed. It is your responsibility to return clearly legible assignments. No credit will be given in those instances where I cannot easily read your material. Handwritten case reports will not be accepted unlessFall 2008 Syllabus, Introduction to Forensic Science 2specifically exempted by the instructor in advance of the due date. Case reports are to be submitted in hard copy form, and printed in dark, legible ink. Students should assume that all assignments returned for my evaluation are of final draft quality; in other words, they will have been proofread and corrected for mistakes as part of the completion process. No corrections should appear on the final draft. All assignments are to be returned either on the due date or prior to the due date. Late assignments may be accepted for up to one hour prior to the next class meeting for half credit. Please do not bring assignments to the department office expecting to leave them with the receptionists. No assignments will be accepted unless they are delivered directly to me. Please also note that the depositing of assignments under the door is not an acceptable means of delivery. It is always advisable to complete your assignments well in advance of class. I would strongly suggest that you make routine backups of computer-generated work. Please note that computer and/or printer problems do not alter the due date and time. Unless otherwise noted, assignments due will be collected at the beginning of class. Therefore, it is expected that assignments will be completed before arrival to class; activities such as sorting, stapling, and placing your name on materials should be completed in advance. Failure to accomplish these tasks will risk forfeiture of full credit on assignments. Attendance: While regular attendance is always important for success in any class, it is especially important in a class of this nature. Students who attend class meetings will be exposed to material additional to the textbook, and will be able to conduct hands-on examinations of examples of various types of physical evidence. Typically, these practical examinations cannot be duplicated; therefore, each student is expected to attend and participate in all class meetings. Students should not expect to be able to make up any missed practical exercises, and no student will receive credit for case reports based on work which he or she did not participate. Please note that class begins promptly at 5:30 p.m. I would suggest that students plan on arriving at least five minutes before class, so that we can begin on time. Please remember that it is discourteous and disruptive to both your instructor and your fellow students to arrive late. It is the responsibility of each individual to minimize tardiness. As you enter the classroom, sign your name to the attendance roster that will be posted inside the classroom near the door. The attendance roster will be removed promptly at 5:30 p.m. and no additional signatures will be allowed. The instructor will have the discretion to use your attendance record in deciding whether to award extra credit points, or in determining the final grade of students whose percentage points place them in a questionable letter grade category.Fall 2008 Syllabus, Introduction to Forensic Science 3Acceptable absences will include illness, university-sanctioned events, and professional development conflicts. Illnesses must be documented