CHEMISTRY 113
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Instructor |
Course Description |
Criminalistics: Application of scientific techniques in collecting and analyzing physical evidence in criminal cases. |
Primary Sources |
Richard Saferstein, Criminalistics: An Introduction to Forensic Science, 8th edition, Prentice-Hall, New Jersey, 2004.
John W. Hill and Doris K. Kolb, Chemistry for Changing Times, 10th edition, Prentice-Hall, New York, 2004.
L. J. Kaplan, "A Laboratory Manual for an Introduction to the Crime Lab," Williamstown, Massachusetts, 2006. (The laboratory manual provides specific instructions on the use of various procedures and techniques as well as useful background material.)
An online syllabus contains many links to sites that deal with many of the cases discussed in class. Reference to these sites is given here instead of providing each student with a packet of readings about the cases. It is expected that you will use this online syllabus for this resource and check for periodic updates.
Primary References (on the reserve shelf in the Schow Science Library) |
A. A. Moenssens, J. E. Starrs, C. E. Henderson, and F. E. Inbau, Scientific Evidence in Civil and Criminal Cases, 4th edition, Foundation Press, Westbury, New York, 1995. (An authoritative text on law and forensic evidence providing both the scientific background for the work of a forensic scientist and the legal application of the results obtained.)
B. A. J. Fisher, (earlier editions with A. Svensson, and O. Wendell), Techniques of Crime Scene Investigation, 6th edition, CRC Press, Boca Raton, 2000. (This book is recognised as the classic work on crime scene investigation and the appropriate chapters should be consulted before processing the crime and before handling the evidence in the crime lab.)
Supplementary References (on the reserve shelf in the Schow Science Library) |
Arthur Conan Doyle, The Annotated Sherlock Holmes, Baring-Gould, W. S., editor, 2 vol., Clarkson N. Potter, Inc., New York, 1967. (The quotations in the syllabus to the Sherlock Holmes stories are from this book.)
John W. Poulos, The Biography of a Homicide: A Case Study from Arrest through Trial, Foundation Press, Mineola, New York, 1976. (This book illustrates the dynamics of criminal justice by following a homicide case from the moment the police are called through the conviction of the defendant in a trial by jury.)
World Wide Web Sites |
American Academy of Forensic Sciences
The site of the professional society dedicated to the promotion of the applicationof science to the law.
Forensics.ca - The Forensic Science Portal
An extensive forensic science web resource. It contains a great deal of information and many links to other valuable pages.
This site provides detailed guidelines and information regarding crime scene investigation including the collection and preservation of evidence such as bloodstains, seminal fluid, hairs, fibers, paint, glass, firearms, document, and fingerprints.
A terrific reference page itself with a number of links to other pages dealing with forensic science.
Another terrific, very comprehensive page with many links to other sites dealing with forensic science.
Evaluation |
The evaluation will be based upon the following work.
- Problem sets
- Quizzes
- Midterm examination
- Active participation in the laboratory program; submission of the laboratory report
- Final examination
Submission of all written work is required for a passing grade.
Syllabus |
For more information, see the detailed syllabus for this course.
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