Welcome to Our Introduction to Forensic Science Homeschool Science Curriculum

How should a Christian approach the fact that bad people do bad things? God has given us science to look at the world around us, and the ability to use what we learn to help the justice system stop the guilty parties. Approaching the science from a Christian perspective, this Introduction to Forensic Science course investigates the process of testing or analyzing materials found at a crime scene.

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Introduction to Forensic Science

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Length: 18 weeks
Content type: Text and video based

Grades: 9–12


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Getting Started with Our Introduction to Forensic Science Homeschool Science Curriculum

Description

Using weekly text-based lessons and videos of the required labs, students learn to observe and investigate materials as they could have been left at a crime scene. The labs use common household materials to explore how forensic scientists evaluate evidence.

Overview

  • 18 weeks, 5 days a week
  • Text, lab videos, evaluations and answer keys
  • Grades: 9–12

Supplies Needed

Corresponding lessons on SchoolhouseTeachers.com, and common household materials for the labs.

What to Do

Go to Class Lessons and download the lesson plan and lessons. Start with Week 1 Day 1. If using the lesson plan, follow the instructions each day on the lesson plan and check them off when completed. Watch the lab videos as indicated.

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Course Sample for Our Introduction to Forensic Science Homeschool Science Curriculum

To view a full sample of this course, click here.

 

Week 1: What Is Forensic Science?

The job of forensics is to focus on the transfer of materials—evidence left behind at the scene of a crime—and figure out how to connect that evidence to the people involved. It is not the job of one person but rather a team effort serving many different roles. It starts with the first responders and the police, who report to the scene of a crime when it is reported. Crime scene investigators are specially trained to know how to document the scene and collect pieces of evidence that can be analyzed. Detectives investigate the scene and work with others to determine what happened. Often, forensic specialists are called upon to analyze evidence or interpret information. There are many areas that forensics can specialize in. Let’s take a quick look at just a few.

  • Crime scene investigators are specially trained how to document a crime scene and collect evidence in the proper manner. They are often the first step in analyzing a crime scene.
  • Arson investigators are called upon when there is a fire. They have studied how fire behaves and work to analyze the scene, evidence, and witness testimony to determine how a fire started or what happened as it burned.
  • Computer forensics examiners are investigators who are very important. They study digital evidence, ranging from videos to photos to computers, in order to help solve a crime.
  • Forensics nurse examiners are nurses specially trained to collect evidence from the victims of crimes where people have been injured.
  • Medical examiners (also known as MEs) examine the bodies of those who have died in an unknown or unnatural way. They collect evidence during their postmortem exams and often help determine the cause of death.
  • Forensic psychologists specialize in studying the behaviors of criminals. They often look at the mental and emotional aspects of both criminals and victims.
  • Forensic accountants specialize in studying financial documents and finding evidence of criminal activity, such as embezzlement or fraud.
  • Forensic anthropologists are scientists who use evidence, such as bones or preserved tissues, to help figure out what happened to people who have been dead a very long time.

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Transcript Information for Our Introduction to Forensic Science Homeschool Science Curriculum

This half-year Introduction to Forensic Science Homeschool Science course is worth 0.5 academic credit upon successful completion of all lessons and assignments.

*Please be informed of your state’s academic requirements.

Visit our High School Help page for resources and information about:

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Course Outline for Our Introduction to Forensic Science Homeschool Science Curriculum

  • Week 1: What Is Forensic Science?
  • Week 2: What Is Evidence and How Do We Protect It?
  • Week 3: Hair, Fibers, and Textiles
  • Week 4: Plant Matter
  • Week 5: Soil
  • Week 6: Fingerprints
  • Week 7: DNA
  • Week 8: Blood
  • Week 9: Toxicology
  • Week 10: Handwriting Analysis
  • Week 11: Document Analysis and Chromatography
  • Week 12: Digital Evidence
  • Week 13: Anthropology
  • Week 14: Glass and Metals
  • Week 15: Impressions and Tool Marks
  • Week 16: Entomology
  • Week 17: Ballistics
  • Week 18: What Happens with the Evidence?

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More About Our Introduction to Forensic Science Homeschool Science Curriculum

The focus of this Introduction to Forensic Science course is not on the crimes, or even how the evidence is used to solve a crime, but rather on the actual science and the process of testing or analyzing the materials. Approaching the science from a Christian standpoint, the course uses God’s Word to acknowledge that there are bad people who do bad things, but God has given science to look at the world, and the ability to use what is learned to aid the justice system in trying to stop the bad guys from doing those bad things.

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Quick Start

1.  Bookmark the course for easy access during instruction.

2. Click “View Lesson Plan” and organize as desired (on computer desktop or in a printed format). 

3.  Gather necessary resources as listed in the lesson plan.

4.  Click “Go to Class Lessons” and get started.

5.  Enjoy the course!

6.  Utilize Applecore or your own record keeping system throughout the course.

7.  Print a certificate of completion.

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