Forensic Science Sequence 2022-2023 (July 21, 2022)
Unit | Time | Topics with Content TEKS* |
1 Introduction and History
Chapter 1 | 1 | Distinguish between criminalistics and criminology 5A Identify roles, functions, responsibilities and ethical standards of forensic science and criminal justice professionals 5B, 5C, 5D Explore and demonstrate an understanding of terminology and procedures of criminal justice 5E Illustrate the history of forensic science and recognize its major contributors 5F |
2 Types of evidence & crime scenes
Chapter 2 | 4 | Compare and contrast the roles of forensic scientists and crime scene investigators 6A Demonstrate the ability to work as a team 6B Conduct a systematic search of a crime scene 6C Apply knowledge of the elements of criminal law that guide search and seizure 6D Describe the elements of and develop a crime scene sketch 6E, 6F Outline chain of custody procedure and proper techniques for collecting and packaging evidence 6G, 6H |
3 Glass, Paint and Soil Analysis (Car Crashes) Ch 13, 15, 18 | 3 | Demonstrate how to process types of trace evidence in a simulated crime scene 7A Compare/contrast the composition of glass fragments; determine projectile direction by glass fractures 7B, 7C Define and explain refractive index in glass analysis 7D Describe instrumental analysis of trace evidence 7E Describe examinations performed in forensic paint analysis 7I |
4 Hair, Fiber Analysis Ch 3, 4 | 3 | Compare/contrast microscopic characteristics of human & animal hair, racial origin, and somatic origin 7F, 7G Differentiate between natural and synthetic fibers 7H |
5 Fingerprint & Impressions Ch. 6 & 16
Total 16 weeks |
4
1 | Compare the three major patterns of arches, loops, and whorls and their respective subclasses 8A Identify minutiae of fingerprints, including bifurcations, ridges, dots, and enclosures 8B Distinguish among visible, plastic, and latent impressions 8C Perform lab procedures for lifting latent prints on porous and nonporous objects using chemicals and powders such as black and fluorescent 8D, 8E Explain the Automated Fingerprint Identification System; describe the characteristics examined 8F Compare impression evidence collected at scene with known impressions 8G
Semester 1 exam week |
6 Ballistics Ch. 17 & 18 | 2 | Explain the individual characteristics of tool marks 14A Describe the mechanism of modern firearms 14B Recognize characteristics of bullet and cartridge cases 14C Describe the composition and method of analysis for gunshot residue and primer residue 14D Recognize the type of information in the National Integrated Ballistics Information Network 14E |
7 Document & Handwriting Ch. 10 | 2 | Describe different types of examinations performed by a document examiner 15A Describe the security features incorporated in the U.S. currency to prevent counterfeiting 15B Perform handwriting comparisons of an unknown sample with exemplars 15C Describe the process of ink analysis using chromatography 15D |
8 DNA Analysis Ch. 7 | 4 | Describe the structure and function of the DNA molecule 12A Describe the steps used in extraction of DNA 12B Explain the analytical procedure for forensic DNA typing, including electrophoresis, polymerase chain reaction, and short tandem repeat 12C Interpret the components of an electropherogram 12D |
9 Serology Ch. 8 | 2 | Explain forensic laboratory procedures to determine if a stain detected in a crime scene is blood 11A Identify the red blood cell antigens and antibodies as they relate to human blood types 11B Determine genotypes and phenotypes in the human red blood cell system using Punnett Squares 11C research methodologies used to collect and analyze other body fluids 11D |
10 Blood Spatter Ch. 8 | 2 | Analyze blood stain patterns based on source, direction, and angle of trajectory 9A Explain the method of chemically isolating an invisible blood stain using reagents such as luminol 9B |
11 Death & Forensic Anthropology Ch. 11, 12 & 14 | 6 | Identify the major bones of the human skeletal system; compare human and animal bones 16A, 16B Describe the techniques used to excavate bones from a crime scene 16C Explain characteristics of the human skeletal system such as gender, height, racial origin & age 16D Explain the role of dental records in identification of remains 16E Explain the process and timeline of rigor mortis and its role in calculating time of death 17A Explain post mortem lividity and its importance when processing a crime scene 17B Determine time of death using entomology 17C Determine time and cause of death methodologies through case studies 17D |
12 Toxicology Ch. 9 | 2 | Classify controlled substances using the Controlled Substances Act 13A Identify controlled substances using laboratory procedures such as microchemical tests, microscopy, chromatography, and spectrophotometry 13B Explain the absorption, distribution, elimination, levels of tolerance and impairment due to alcohol consumption in the human body 10A,10C Describe the blood alcohol laboratory procedures as they relate to blood alcohol concentration and the proper preservation of blood samples. 10B, 10D |
Total 21 weeks | 1 | Semester 2 exam week |
* TEKS 1, 2(A, B), 3(A-H), and 4(A-F) are process skills that students will apply throughout the year. **NISD 2022-2023 calendar dated 7/21/22.