Course Number: 03-106

Credit hours: 3

Prerequisite: none

Class Hours: 

Instructor: Dr. Salim M. Diab

Office: 815-740-3855 (St. Francis)

Home: 815-730-8302

Fax: 815-740-4285 (St. Francis)

e-mailsdiab@stfrancis.edu

HomePage: http://www.stfrancis.edu/ns/diab/etherman.htm

Lecture Notes and Internet References: http://www.stfrancis.edu/ns/diab/ForensicCoursePPT/lecturenotes.html

Course Description: 

A non- majors, survey course of procedures, techniques, and applications of forensic chemistry, particularly as they relate to crime investigation and ongoing analysis of evidence obtained after a crime is committed. The nature of physical evidence is emphasized along with the limitations that technology and knowledge impose on its individualization and characterization. In order to merge theory with practice, a number of actual forensic case histories will be evaluated. Multiple sources of instructional methods will be used including formal lectures using power point presentation, internet sources and video case studies. 

Rationale and Objectives: 

This course is designed to provide a basic foundation in the field of forensic chemistry for those students in the humanities, social sciences, or communication arts and those thinking of pursuing a criminal justice degree. Without having to major in chemistry, the student is allowed to experience the various analytical and instrumental methods used in investigating crimes.

Required Text:

References:

Davis, G. Forensic Science, American Chemical Society, Washington, DC, 1986.

Dwyer, J.; Kocieniewski, D.; Murphy, D; Tyre, P. Two Seconds Under the World: Terror Comes to America (The Conspiracy behind the World Trade Center Bombing, Crown Publishers, Inc., New York, 1994.

Evans, C. The Casebook of Forensic Detection, John Wiley & Sons, New York, 1996.

Fisher, D. Hard Evidence, Bantam DoubleDay Dell Publ. Group, NY, 1995.

Gerber, S. M., Ed., Chemistry and Crime; From Sherlock Holmes to Today's Courtroom, American Chemical Society, Washington, DC, 1984.

Ho, M. H. Analytical Methods in Forensic Chemistry, Ellis Horwood, Ltd., London, 1990.

Hunt, S. M. Investigation of Serological Evidence: A Manual for Field Investigators, Charles C. Thomas Publ. Ltd., London, 1984.

James, R. E. Laboratory Manual for Criminalistics, Prentice Hall, NY, 1980.

Lowry, W. T. Forensic Toxicology: Controlled Substances and Dangerous Drugs, Plenum Publ. Co., NY, 1979.

Maples, W. R.; Browning, M. Dead Men Do Tell Tales, Bantam DoubleDay, NY, 1994.

Saferstein, R. Forensic Science Handbook, Vol. I-III, Regents/Prentice Hall, NJ, 1993.

Tebbett, I., Ed., Gas Chromatography in Forensic Science, Ellis Horwood, Ltd., London, 1993.

Terry, I. M.; Robertson, J. C. Instrumental Data for Drug Analysis, CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL, 1991.

Wecht, C.; Curriden, M.; Wecht, B. Grave Secrets, Penguin books USA, Inc., New York, 1996.

Widmark, E. M. P. Principles and Applications of Medico-Legal Alcohol Determination, translated from original 1932 ed.,

Biomedical Publications, Davis, CA, 1981.

Yinon, J., Ed., Forensic Applications of Mass Spectrometry (Modern Mass Spectrometry), CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL, 1995.

Topics to be Covered:

Definition and Scope of Forensic Science. History and Development of Forensic Science. The

Organization of a Crime Laboratory. The Functions of the Forensic Scientist. Other Forensic

Science Services.

Chapter 2. The Crime Scene.

Processing the Crime Scene. Legal Considerations at the Crime Scene.

Chapter 3. Physical Evidence.

Common Types of Physical Evidence. The Significance of Physical Evidence.

Chapter 4. Physical Properties: Glass and Soil. 

The Metric System. Physical Properties. Comparing Glass Fragments. Glass Fractures. Collection and Preservation of Glass Evidence. Forensic Characteristics of Soil. Collection and Preservation of Soil Evidence.

Chapter 5. Organic Analysis. 

Elements and Compounds. Selecting an Analytical Technique. Chromatography. Spectrometry.

Mass Spectrometry (MS).

Chapter 6. Inorganic Analysis.

Evidence in the Assassination of President Kennedy. The Emission Spectrum of Elements. Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry. The Origin of Emission and Absorption Spectra. Neutron Activation Analysis. X-Ray Diffraction.

Chapter 7. The Microscope. 

The Compound Microscope. The Comparison Microscope. The Stereoscopic Microscope. The

Polarizing Microscope. The Microspectrophotometer. The Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM).

Chapter 8. Hairs, Fibers, and Paint.

Morphology of Hair. Identification and Comparison of Hair. Collection of Hair Evidence. Types of Fibers. Identification and Comparison of Man-Made Fibers. Collection of Fiber Evidence. Forensic Examination of Paint. Collection and Preservation of Paint Evidence.

Chapter 9. Drugs. 

Drug Dependence. Narcotic Drugs. Hallucinogens. Depressants. Stimulants. Anabolic Steroids.

Drug-Control Laws. Drug Identification. Collection and Preservation of Drug Evidence.

Chapter 10. Forensic Toxicology. 

Toxicology of Alcohol. The Role of the Toxicologist. Techniques Used in Toxicology. The

Significance of Toxicological Findings. The Drug Recognition Expert.

Chapter 11. Forensic Aspects of Arson and Explosion Investigations.

The Chemistry of Fire. Searching the Fire Scene. Collection and Preservation of Arson Evidence.

Analysis of Flammable Residues. Types of Explosives. Collection and Analysis of Explosives.

Chapter 12. Forensic Serology.

The Nature of Blood. Forensic Characterization of Bloodstains. Stain Patterns of Blood. Principles of Heredity. Forensic Characterization of Semen. Collection of Rape Evidence.

Chapter 13. DNA: A New Forensic Science Tool.

What Is DNA? DNA at Work. Replication of DNA. Recombinant DNA: Cutting and Splicing DNA. DNA Typing. Mitochondria DNA. The Combined DNA Index System. The Collection and Preservation of Biological Evidence for DNA Analysis.

Chapter 14. Fingerprints. 

History of Fingerprinting. Fundamental Principles of Fingerprinting Classification of Fingerprints. Classification of Fingerprint Identification Systems. Methods of Detection Fingerprints. Preservation of Developed Prints. Digital Imaging of Fingerprint Enhancement.

Chapter 15. Firearms, Tool Marks, and Other Impressions.

Bullet Comparisons. Cartridge Cases. Automated Firearm Search Systems. Gunpowder Residues

on the Hands. Serial Number Restoration. Collection and Preservation of Firearm Evidence. Tool

Marks. Other Impressions. Other Impressions.

Chapter 16. Document and Voice Examination. 

Handwriting Comparisons. Collection of Handwriting Exemplars. Typewriting Comparisons.

Photocopier, Printer, and Fax Examination. Alterations, Erasures, and Obliterations. Other

Document Problems. Voice Examinations.

Expectations of Students:

1. Homework assignments (workbook) will be assigned and graded. These assignments are intended to increase the problem solving ability of the students. It is very important to work out every problem in the study guide. This is one of the best methods of learning the material.

2. Attendance is required. A good attendance including the transcription of a good set of class notes will greatly improve the students' chances for achieving a satisfactory grade in this course. If you need to miss a class, please notify me.

3. A quiz will be given after the completion of each unit. No make-up quizzes are allowed unless a justifiable reason is given. If you need to miss a quiz, please notify me.

4. Academic integrity must be always preserved. Any violation will be handled according to the guidelines in the University Catalog.

5. Case studies, text and video, (which integrate theory with practice) will be assigned on frequent basis.

5. Final Exam (comprehensive, open book).

Breakdown for Grading:

Workbook      30%

Quizzes           30%

Case Studies   20%

Final Exam   20%

80 - 89%B

70 - 79%C

60 - 69%D
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