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JS 112 Introductory Lecturenew

The role of the crime scene investigator is described as a crucial step in the investigation process. The course will cover four basic fundamental concepts regarding the role of the crime scene investigator: (1) collecting and preserving evidence, (2) documenting the crime scene, (3) searching for and recovering evidence, and (4) maintaining chain of custody.

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Mohamed Ali Abdi
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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
21 views24 pages

JS 112 Introductory Lecturenew

The role of the crime scene investigator is described as a crucial step in the investigation process. The course will cover four basic fundamental concepts regarding the role of the crime scene investigator: (1) collecting and preserving evidence, (2) documenting the crime scene, (3) searching for and recovering evidence, and (4) maintaining chain of custody.

Uploaded by

Mohamed Ali Abdi
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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JS 112 Criminalistics

I. Welcome and Introductions


Steven Lee- Instructor

II. Overview of the course


Description- Requirements
Small Groups-Your background, interests
First “case” assignment- Measurements

III. Introduction to Criminalistics


Role of the Crime Scene Investigator
Goal of CSI
Physical Evidence- Locards Exchange
Measurement practice
Mock Crime Scene small group activity
My Background
• Who am I? Scientist, Teacher and Dad
– Consultant -Director of R&D, Biotech (MiraiBio)
– Adjunct Prof Chem FIU, Adjunct Prof Biology SFSU
– Blessed to have been a mentor to my students
– Husband and Dad to 4
– Interests: music, running, meditation
• How did I get here? Research and Teaching Experience
– CA DOJ DNA (94-99), Adjunct SFSU (96- ), Biology UNC (92-94)
– SUNYB, AECOM, NYU, Columbia, UCB, UGA
– Courses: Mol Genetics, Genetics of Forensic DNA typing (UC Davis), Chem. of DNA
typing (Web Based- FIU- F 2001, Sp 2003)
• Forensic Experience? All in DNA
– CA DOJ DNA Research, Validation and Training
– Served on TWGDAM 1994-1999
– AFDIL mtDNA QA, ASCLD-LAB certified, AAFS full member, CAC full member
– Qualified expert DNA witness
Contact Information

Instructor: Dr. Steven Lee, Associate Professor


Office MH 521
Office Hrs: MW 1445-1615 (W 1615-1715 email)
Set 15 minute appointments via email
email [email protected]
[email protected]
Phone 408-924-2948
Overview of the Course
• Course Description: This course will teach an understanding
of the fundamental theories of physical evidence, practically
applied; and the legal consideration involved in its
recognition, collection, preservation and presentation in
court. Physical evidence includes such things as fibers, glass,
hair, soil, bullets, fingerprints, and shoeprints. Learn the
appropriate methods for processing, securing, and isolating a
crime scene. Topics include recording the scene, searching for
evidence, decision-making about what evidence is
appropriate and necessary to collect, procedures for collecting
physical evidence, and maintaining the chain of custody to
avoid contamination.
Course Text and materials:
• Required Text:
– Criminalistics (10th edition) 2011. Saferstein. Pearson Prentice Hall.
– Required reading and internet materials:
– Journal articles and other readings will be accessible at the SJSU library, on
reserve or will be accessible on line. Citations and URLs for on line
materials will be provided in assignments.
– NIJ on line documents (eg: Crime scene investigation guidelines http://www.
ncjrs.org/pdffiles1/nij/178280.pdf, Crime Scene Investigator Web sites-
http://www.crime-scene-investigator.net/ and the CA Dept of Justice
Physical Evidence Bulletins: http://www.cci.ca.gov/Reference/pehb/peb.html
and other web sites will be required.
Course Format:

• The course will include lectures by the


instructor and guest lectures from law
enforcment agencies. Discussions, videos,
small-group hands-on activities, and
hands-on crime scene exercises will also
be included throughout the semester. On-
line chat sessions if possible will also be
offered.
Course requirements:
• Exams: Three exams will be given in this course.
Exams will be cumulative and will include all
material covered up to the date of the exam.
Exams may include multiple choice, matching,
true/false, short answer, diagrams, drawings and
sketches, short essay and/or long essay.
• Exam 1: Wed 03/03/10
• Exam 2: Wed 04/07/10
• Final: Mon 05/24/10
Quizzes and CSI exercises
• Quizzes on assigned readings, laboratories, small group activities
and other assigned materials will be given during the semester.
These will generally be multiple choice, matching, true/false and
short answer but may also include essay questions. Total
points=100

• Hands-on Crime scene Exercises /reports and participation


• 3 hands-on crime scene exercises will be required. Each will be
worth 10 points. The format and grading of the laboratory reports
will be provided at the first laboratory session. Bound notebooks
are required for all laboratory reports. Participation will be worth
20 points. Total points= 50
Small group formation
8 per team- Designate one team leader
Gather emails and phone numbers
Find out the following. Total of 4 teams
1) Name, Year (class), Major
2) Why are you interested in forensic science
3) Something to remember you by- Hobbies,
Favorite food, favorite sport, other?
Grading
• Quizzes 100 points
• Exam 1 100 points
• Exam 2 100 points
• Final exam 150 points
• Crime scene exercises 50 points
• Total required 500 points
• A total of 10 points may be granted for small group
assignments and other individual assignments during the
semester. Each assignment will be worth 1-2 points each.
These extra credit points may be used to augment your
final point total.
Grading Policies
• Make-up exams will not generally be permitted. However,
under extraordinary circumstances, with proper documentation
and approval by the instructor, a 15 page single-spaced term
paper of an instructor assigned topic, may substitute for 1 exam.
• A+ 483.5 to 500 C+ 383.5 to 399.9
• A 467 to 483.4 C 367 to 383.4
• A- 450 to 466.9 C- 350 to 366.9
• B+ 433.5 to 449.9 D+ 333.5 to 349.9
• B 417 to 433.4 D 317 to 333.4
• B- 400 to 416.9 D- 300 to 316.9
• F <300
Course Schedule
• 15 weeks- No classes – Spring week 03/29-04/02
• Exams : Wed 03/03/10, Wed 04/07/10, Final 05/24/10
• Last class 05/17/10
• CSI Exercises (tentatively scheduled) To be announced
• Student Led Review dates: 03/01, 4/5, 5/17
• Week of 02/22/10 Lee will be at the American Academy of
Forensic Science Meeting- Video and on line assignments in
class with required questions
• CSI Report due dates to be announced- All final reports will be
due on 05/17/10
Graduate students enrolling in
100 level courses
• Graduate students that are enrolling in
any eligible JS 100 course will need to
complete a special project and document
their completion. Only a total of 9 units
may be taken in this manner. Forms are
available at the graduate advisor office
(MH 508).
Course Add/Drop Statement
• Instructors are permitted to drop students who fail to attend the first
scheduled class meeting and who fail to inform the instructor prior to
the second class meeting of the reason for any absence and their
intention to continue in the class. Some instructors will drop students
who do not meet the stated course prerequisites. However, instructors
are not required to drop a student from their course. It is the student’s
responsibility to make sure classes are dropped.
• You, the student, are responsible for understanding the policies and
procedures about add/drops, academic renewal, late drops, withdrawal,
etc. found at: http://sa.sjsu.edu/student_conduct
• http://info.sjsu.edu/web-dbgen/narr/soc-fall/rec-324.html
• http://www.sjsu.edu/sac/advising/latedrops/policy/
Academic Integrity and Plagiarism
• All students are required to read the following academic integrity policy and
complete a tutorial on plagiarism.
• Visit
http://www.sa.sjsu.edu/download/judicial_affairs/Academic_Integrity_Policy_S07-
2.pdf and http://sa.sjsu.edu/judicial_affairs/students/academic_integrity.html for the
academic policy and process
• Visit http://tutorials.sjlibrary.org/tutorial/plagiarism/index.htm for the plagiarism
tutorial
• Read each document in its entirety.
• You are required to document that you have read these policies by printing out a
copy of the quiz grade for the plagiarism tutorial.
• For the academic integrity policy, you are required to hand in a signed, dated,
printout to me
• All due by class period 02/03/10
Assignments
• Group assignment 1. Gather your team emails and submit them to your team leader.
– Team leaders should email me their team’s email addresses and cc copies to all their teammates. Place the name of your team
in the subject. Due by Sunday at 1200 noon
• Assignment 2 Due 2 Feb by email to [email protected]
• Part A. Read the following: http://www.crime-scene-investigator.net/respon1.html
• Read and discuss the Overview section and Pernonnel Duties and Responsibilities of this URL (next time we will discuss
personnel duties and responsibilities) among your team mates.
• After reviewing write 3 quiz questions with a separate sheet for answers and explanations. Total size of the document you
submit should not be more than 3 paragraphs (300 words of questions and answers). You may include 1 multiple choice
question. Email Qs and As to me
• Part B. Start to collect the following individually and with your team mates
• For each person:
1. Bound notebook with page numbers- Spiral notebooks are not as good as pages can easily be torn our. If you need to use a
spiral notebook, be sure every page is numbered. 1/person
2. Tape measure- 1 per person
3. Rulers and protractors (with metric and inches)- 1 per person
4. Graph paper (10 sheets/person)
5. Permanent sharpie markers (at least 2- black or blue)
6. Pens (ball points)
7. Digital Camera – 1 per team
Role of the Crime Scene
Investigator

– “Crucial” step in investigation


– Four Basic Fundamental Concepts
• Secure- preserve evidence, safety
• Search – Critical v Supporting v Property
• Record – sketching, measuring, photography, videography etc
• Reconstruct- final goal
– From the analysis of the crime, an experienced CSI will
determine what type of physical evidence, where and
how to recognize it, how best to collect, preserve and
process the evidence and combined with laboratory
examinations, reconstruct the crime
Crime Scene Notebook Guidelines
• Handouts on format
– Need to use proper format: Abstract, Introduction, Materials and Methods,
Results, Discussion with conclusions, References, Appendices
• Handouts on Self Evaluation (Begin with the end in mind)
– Administrative Review
– Technical Review
• Examples of A, B and C Laboratory Notebooks
– You will have your notebooks at every class sessions
– At any session, I may select 1 notebook per group to “grade”. In this way you
will get feedback early in the semester to follow.
– I will be providing a portion of the CSI exercise grade from group
participation
Crime Scene Investigation
Goal- reconstruct the crime
Locard’s Exchange Principle
• Contact results in a cross-transfer of evidence
• 1910 Edmund Locard, successor to
Lacassagne as professor of forensic medicine at
the University of Lyons, France, established the
first police crime laboratory.
Overview of the types of Physical evidence

• Blood, semen, saliva • Pertoleum produts


• Documents • Plastic bags
• Drugs • Rubber, other polymers
• Explosives • Powder residues
• Fibers, Hair, Paint • Serial numbers
• Fingerprints • Soil and minerals
• Firearms and ammunition • Tool marks
• Glass • Vehicle lights
• Impressions • Wood and other vegetative
• Organs and physiological matter
fluids
CSI Exercise 1- Measurements
and Documentation
• In your small teams using the rulers you have been
provided, measure to the nearest 0.1 mm the crime
scene object for your team.
• Team leaders should collect all measurements on one
paper. Write down the range of measurements (eg
10.3-10.7mm) and calculate the average measurement.
• In addition, take measurements to document the
location of the object.
• Once completed be sure everyone signs the paper and
hand it in.
CSI Measurement Questions
• Did you all agree on the measurements?
• If no, what are 3 reasons which may cause
the discrepancy?
• For one of the reasons, design an
experiment to test your hypothesis.
• Is there enough documentation for you to
reconstruct the location of the crime scene.
Office Hours Policies
• Set up 15 minute appointments by email
[email protected]
• Benefits (to you and me)
– Review the course material.
– Show me how hard you are working
– Provide feedback
– Ask specific questions or Ask for help
– Extra credit may be provided for coming to discuss
questions on the reading, exams, DNA, assignments,
forensics, news articles, department, college and campus
scholarships…etc

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