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Independent Study Forensics

Course Description

Forensic science is the utilization of a variety of science disciplines to not only detect but also solve crimes.  In this class you will examine a variety of sciences and their applications within the ever-changing criminal justice system; both domestically and internationally.   

Posts

Week of March 1st

Hi Everyone,

I can't believe that Monday is March 1st, where did February go?  I hope you enjoyed the first snow day of the academic year as well!
 
We are quickly approaching the end of 3rd quarter, friendly reminder high school grades go off the semester system rather than the quarter grading block. 
 
We got a great class picture today, thank you for helping to make sure your students were able to participate in that fun and creative class experience.
 
Please keep an eye out for a lot of communication coming in the near future, conference sign-ups will be coming up soon; and a lot of communication from Westgate as well regarding some fun and unique experiences. 
 
As always if you or your student have any questions please always feel like you can reach out to me at any time. 

Week of December 14th

Final papers are due at 8 AM on Monday December 14th.  
 
Should you have any questions please feel free to email or reach out in Teams if you have questions. 

Week of December 7th

This week students will be given the opportunity to ask questions and work on finals during class.
 
Additionally, late work will not be submitted after 3 PM on December 10th.
 
Final papers are due at 8 AM on December 14th. 

Week of November 23rd

Happy Thanksgiving Break!!!!!
 
There will be no classes this week, please take this time to enjoy being with your family.
 
Your final project for class will be released on Monday the 23rd and will be due on Monday December 14th. 

Please feel free to reach out to me should have any questions as you work on your finals. 

Week of November 16th

We are in the final countdown into Thanksgiving Break and the semester.  This week we will be examining serial killers and what forensics were utilized in their apprehension.

 

Classes: Tuesday and Thursday, 8:45 – 9:30 AM

 

Zoom ID: 744 4979 2423

*as always, please see Outlook or Teams for the password.

 

Weekly Objectives

  1. Why does the criminal justice system utilize Psychiatry or Psychology?

 

New Assignments

  1. Crime Journal Week of November 16tb
  2. Exit Ticket Week of November 16th

 

Late Assignments (not acceptable after 11/23/020 at 8:00 AM)

  1. Crime Journal Week of November 9th
  2. Exit Ticket Week of November 9th

Week of November 9th

We are in the final countdown into Thanksgiving Break and the semester.  This week we will be studying the difference between Forensic Psychiatry Vs Forensic Psychology.  We have a guest speaker coming to class on Tuesday.

 

Classes: Tuesday and Thursday, 8:45 – 9:30 AM

 

Zoom ID: 744 4979 2423

*as always, please see Outlook or Teams for the password.

 

Weekly Objectives

  1. Why does the criminal justice system utilize Psychiatry or Psychology?

 

New Assignments

  1. Crime Journal Week of November 9th
  2. Exit Ticket Week of November 9th

 

Late Assignments (not acceptable after 11/16/020 at 8:00 AM)

  1. Crime Journal Week of November 2nd
  2. Introduction to Anthropology Assignment

Week of November 2nd

Holy November Batman!!  This week we will begin our study of Anthropology and Forensics.

 

Classes: Tuesday and Thursday, 8:45 – 9:30 AM

 

Zoom ID: 744 4979 2423

*as always, please see Outlook or Teams for the password.

 

Weekly Objectives

  1. What impact does anthropology have on the solving of cold cases?

 

New Assignments

  1. Crime Journal Week of November 2nd
  2. Introduction to Anthropology Assignment

 

Late Assignments (not acceptable after 11/02/020 at 8:00 AM)

  1. Crime Journal Week of October 19th

Week of October 26th

We will be continuing our analysis of trace evidence including fingerprints and soil.

 Classes: Tuesday and Thursday, 8:45 – 9:30 AM

Zoom ID: 744 4979 2423

*as always, please see Outlook or Teams for the password.

Weekly Objectives

  1. How are trace evidence collected?

New Assignments

  1. Crime Journal Week of October 26th
  2. Soil Analysis Assignment
  3. Exit Ticket Week of October 26th

Late Assignments (not acceptable after 11/02/2020 at 8:00 AM)

  1. Crime Journal Week of October 19th

Week of October 19th

Welcome back for your first full week of Q2!  This week we will be diving into our study of trace evidence.  And how that impacts Forensics.

 

Classes: Tuesday and Thursday, 8:45 – 9:30 AM

 

Zoom ID: 744 4979 2423

*as always, please see Outlook or Teams for the password.

 

Weekly Objectives

  1. How might the analysis of Trace Evidence change over time?

 

New Assignments

  1. Crime Journal Week of October 19th

 

Late Assignments (not acceptable after 10/26/2020 at 8:00 AM)

  1. Crime Journal Week of October 14th

Week of October 14th

Welcome back from Fall Break! I hope you took it as an opportunity to self-care and refocus yourselves. This week we begin our unit on Trace Evidence. 

 

Classes: Tuesday and Thursday, 8:45 – 9:30 AM

Zoom ID: 744 4979 2423

*as always, please see Outlook or Teams for the password.

 

Weekly Objectives

  1. How might the analysis of Trace Evidence change over time?

 

New Assignments

  1. Crime Journal Week of October 14th

 

Late Assignments (not acceptable after 10/14/2020 at 8:00 AM)

  1. None

Week of September 28th

Welcome to the last week of forgery, fraud and handwriting analysis.  This week we will be continuing our study of Graphology:

 

Classes: Tuesday and Thursday, 9:15 – 9:45 AM

Zoom ID: 765 5431 0953

*as always, please see Outlook or Teams for the password.

 

Weekly Objectives

  1. We will be examining the notes left by the Unabomber.

 

New Assignments

  1. Crime Journal Week of September 28th

 

Late Assignments (not acceptable after 09/28/2020 at 8:00 AM)

  1. Crime Journal Week of September 14th
  2. Ransom Note Assignment

Week of September 21st

Welcome to the third week of forgery, fraud and handwriting analysis.  This week we will be continuing our study of Graphology:

Classes: Tuesday and Thursday, 9:15 – 9:45 AM

Zoom ID: 765 5431 0953

*as always, please see Outlook or Teams for the password.

 

Weekly Objectives

  1. We will be examining the case of William Abagnale Jr. and his role in changing the entire investigation process of forgeries.

 

New Assignments

  1. Catch Me If You Can Movie Analysis

 

Late Assignments (not acceptable after 09/21/2020 at 8:00 AM)

  1. Facial Recognition Assignment

Week of September 14th

Welcome to the second week of face to face learning! Zoom Meetings for this week are cancelled due to in person learning.

Classes: Tuesday and Thursday, 9:15 – 9:45 AM

Zoom ID: 765 5431 0953

*as always, please see Outlook or Teams for the password.

 

Weekly Objectives

  1. What is graphology?
  2. How might a professional in the field view graphology differently from a layman?

 

New Assignments

  1. Crime Journal
  2. Ransom Note Assignment

 

Late Assignments (not acceptable after 09/14/2020 at 8:00 AM)

  1. Crime Journal
  2. Facial Recognition Assignment

Week of September 7th

I hope you had a relaxing 4-day weekend and are ready to jump back into some Forensic Science.  This week, we will begin exploring document forgery and fraud:

Classes: Tuesday and Thursday, 9:15 – 9:45 AM

Zoom ID: 765 5431 0953

*as always, please see Outlook or Teams for the password.

 

Weekly Objectives

  1. What distinguishes fraud from forgery?

 

New Assignments

  1. Crime Journal Week of September 7th.

 

Late Assignments (not acceptable after 09/14/2020 at 8:00 AM)

  1. Crime Journal Week of August 31st
  2. Facial Recognition Assignment

Week of August 31st

Welcome to the second week of Forensic Science! I hope you had a relaxing weekend and are ready to jump into some science.  This week, we will be wrapping up our exploration of facial recognition and beginning our study of documentation and forgeries. Here’s what you need to know:

Classes: Tuesday and Thursday, 9:15 – 9:45 AM

Zoom ID: 765 5431 0953

*as always, please see Outlook or Teams for the password.

 

Weekly Objectives

  1. How might facial recognition change over time?
  2. What distinguishes an original document from a forgery?

 

New Assignments

  1. Crime Journal
  2. Facial Recognition Assignment

 

Late Assignments (not acceptable after 09/08/2020 at 8:00 AM)

  1. Crime Journal