Forensic Chemistry

2009-2010

Welcome to Forensic Chemistry!

This is a differentiated J/H level course focusing on how chemistry is used to investigate crime.

Our first units will be on the structure of the forensic lab, types and classifications of evidence, crime scene procedures, and the chemistry of death.

Homework will consist of a combination of

• webassigns testing your basic knowledge of the material
• lab reports on class room activities
• unit study guides

Students will also be doing a project on an area of their choice in forensic science. Typical topics have been art forgery, counterfeiting, ballistics, etc. Because of the large size of the class the project will involve developing a webpage that is part of a class wikispace.

The course has a very non-traditional group final. Groups of 3-4 students are presented with a case scenario and are given a 6 class sessions to work together cooperatively to solve the crime. They may ask for additional tests or evidence to help in their sleuthing. The product that is graded is a group powerpoint presenting the prosecution's case, a transcript of individual expert testimony from each student on the evidence they were responsible for analyzing, a collaboration rubric filled out by each team member evaluating the contributions of the others on the team, and a set of questions from each student as they act as the defense for other cases than their own.

FC Rules and Guidelines (doc file)

doc file: You need the Microsoft Word program, a free Microsoft Word viewer, or a program that can import Word files in order to view this file. To learn more about the free Microsoft Word Viewer, visit the Microsoft Word website.

Dr. Fisanick's Website
Watchung Hills Regional High School
108 Stirling Road
Warren, NJ 07059

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