Forensic Science: Evidence Catalog Project

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Forensic Science Evidence Catalog Project

• Due 4/27/09
• By Darin Detwiler,
• BEST High School

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Purpose

• The purpose of this project is to allow students
  to take charge of a topic of their choice.
  Students in this Forensic Science class have
  covered many topics and studied their use in
  criminal investigations and as evidence in a
  court of law.

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Purpose

• Students will put together a catalog of evidence
  variables and related information for others to
  use.
• No more than two students may work together on
  this project. If two students are on a team,
  then the number of included variations of
  identified type of evidence is at least double.

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Scope

• Students are not allowed to choose any type of
  evidence related to

• cigarettes,
• drugs,
• alcohol,
• chemicals,
• guns,
• knives, or
• bullets.

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Scope

• Possible topics include

Hair, rope, fiber, glass, plastics, sand, leaves,
flowers, trees, shoes, tires, wood, grass, paper,
pens, pencils, screws, nuts, bolts, nails,
lipsticks, tape, insects, animals, paper,
rocks, cars, scissors, motorcycles, bicycles,
trucks, matches, envelopes, glues, paint,
batteries, wires, chain, hammers, pliers,
screwdrivers, and others.
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Required Elements

• Proposal Letter A properly formatted and typed
  business letter addressed to me (at my work
  address) with your proposed project topic.
• Cover Page A properly formatted and typed cover
  page listing the identified type of evidence, the
  author(s), the class, period, instructor, school,
  and date.
• Table of Contents A properly formatted and typed
  list of all components in order.

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Required Elements

• Introduction Background information on the
  identified type of evidence.
• Discussion of any known cases involving the
  identified type of evidence
• Identified expert or institution (private,
  public, government) resources for the identified
  type of evidence.
• Evidence One identified type of evidence and a
  collection of information relating to at least
  ten variations of this type of evidence.

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Required Elements

• Evidence Catalog A catalog of at least one page
  for each of the variations of identified type of
  evidence. Required information on each page
  includes
• Item Name
• Item Image Photos, drawing, etchings, or other
  forms of captured image of the identifying marks
  for this identified type of evidence
• Item Specifications Technical name, product
  identification, or other clear label for this
  identified type of evidence.
• Item Classification Technical or scientific
  classification
• Item Background Measurements, details,
  characteristics, geographical data,
  maker/company, or other clear label for this
  identified type of evidence
• Source of Information Cited source of
  information for all details listed.

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Required Elements

• Questions A list of 10 (ten) questions that
  another student could answer while using your
  catalog.
• References At least five identified print and
  electronic resources for the identified type of
  evidence (properly cited (APA) in catalog and
  listed in properly formatted (APA) reference
  page.)
• Reference Page A properly formatted (APA),
  typed list of references.

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Due Dates

• Proposal Letter Due this Thursday (3/26/09).
• Cover Page Due Tuesday (4/7/09).
• References A list of five - due Tuesday
  (4/7/09).
• Introduction Due Thursday (4/16/09).
• Catalog Pages One is due Thursday (4/16/09), the
  remainder are due Monday (4/27/09).
• Table of Contents Due Monday (4/27/09).
• Questions Due Monday (4/27/09).
• Reference Page Due Monday (4/27/09).

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Due Dates

• (3/26/09) Proposal Letter
• (4/7/09) Cover Page
• References
• (4/16/09) Introduction
• Catalog Pages (Just one)
• (4/27/09) Catalog Pages (The remainder)
• Table of Contents
• Questions
• Reference Page

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Order (for final product)

• Cover Page
• Table of Contents
• Proposal Letter
• Introduction
• Catalog Pages
• Questions
• Reference Page

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Grading

• Proposal Letter 20 points
• ____ 2 pts. Typed
• ____ 2 pts. Proper Business letter format
• ____ 5 pts. Statement of identified type of
  evidence
• ____ 4 pts. Brief discussion of where
  information will be found (do not just say
  internet.)
• ____ 3 pts. Brief discussion of how this
  identified type of evidence is used in forensic
  science
• ____ 1 pt. (If applicable) your partners name
• ____ 1 pt. Statement of understanding
  regarding all required components (including
  double the number of pages in catalog if you have
  a partner.)
• ____ 1 pt. Signature
• ____ 1 pt. Printed for portfolio and emailed
  to me.

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Grading

• TABLE OF CONTENTS 5 Points
• ____ 1 pt. Typed
• ____ 4 pts. Organized
•  REFERENCES 10 Points
• ____ 1 pt. Typed
• ____ 5 pts. Properly formatted (APA)
• ____ 2 pts. Print sources AND electronic
• ____ 2 pts. Information from stores or other
• 10 QUESTIONS 5 Points
• ____ 1 pt. Typed
• ____ 2 pts. 10 Questions (regarding to items)
• ____ 2 pts. Answers or possible answers

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Grading