Investigaciones en Ciencias Forenses

A grade for the class is available if requested. Requirements for a grade are to complete six of the at-home projects of the student’s choosing and to complete a final project of the students’s choice and approved by the teacher. 

Save $28 when you use code DANLEYSAVINGS28 until April 30, 2025.

REFUND POLICY: Full refund until 12 hours after the first class meeting (6 hours in the summer) if requested.

This engaging forensic science course is designed to give students a comprehensive understanding of the essential techniques used in criminal investigations. Each week, students will dive into a different topic or set of forensic science methods, from basic crime scene analysis to advanced investigative techniques. The course combines both wet and dry labs, interactive demonstrations, hands-on activities, and in-depth worksheets to reinforce key concepts.

Key Features:

* Weekly Topics & Techniques: Explore a variety of forensic science techniques, including fingerprint analysis, blood spatter analysis, forensic anthropology, DNA profiling, and more.

* Hands-on Labs & Demonstrations: Participate in engaging wet and dry labs that will allow you to apply your knowledge in real-world scenarios. Each week includes interactive activities to bring the science to life.

* Mini Crime Scene Analysis: Practice your investigative skills by analyzing mini crime scenes, using the forensic techniques you've learned.

* Optional At-Home Activities: For students eager to dive deeper, optional weekly assignments will provide extra opportunities to explore topics and gain a deeper understanding of forensic science.

* Case Studies & Real-Life Applications: Examine two historical case studies where forensic techniques played a pivotal role in solving criminal cases.

* Mock Crime Scene Investigation: The course culminates with a thrilling two week long mock crime scene. Students will work as a team to apply all the techniques they've learned to solve a crime, just like professional forensic investigators.


Why Choose This Forensic Science Course?

* Hands-On Learning: Gain practical experience through labs, demonstrations, and real-world activities.

* Comprehensive Curriculum: Master critical forensic science methods that are used to solve crimes, with clear explanations and practical applications.

* Interactive Learning Environment: Work with  fellow students to analyze mock crime scenes, investigate evidence, and solve mysteries.

* Perfect for Beginners & Enthusiasts: Whether you're new to forensic science or looking to deepen your understanding, this course is designed to be accessible and engaging for all skill levels.

By the end of the course, students will have a strong foundation in forensic science, an understanding of key investigative techniques, and the ability to apply those skills in real-world criminal investigations

There are topics where we will be doing some calculations, so students should have basic equation-solving skills for these activities, but a student who catches on quickly would probably be fine without it.  

Class 1 - Introduction to Forensic Science
We'll discuss the basic definition of forensic science, the types of evidence found at a crime scene and Locard's Exchange Principle, and then we'll practice observational skills

Class 2 - Processing a Crime Scene
We'll talk about the methods used to process a crime scene and why they are important. 

Class 3 - Fingerprinting
We'll look at the basic fingerprint types and the additional ridge patterns that help identify a fingerprint.  We'll take and analyze our own prints and then "lift" a fingerprint.

Class 4 - Blood Typing and Blood Spatter Analysis
We'll look at the different blood types and blood spatter patterns and talk about how they can help forensic scientists analyze a crime scene.  We'll then practice blood typing and analyzing spatter patterns using dry labs.

Class 5 - Ballistics
We'll learn about bullet cartridges and see how spent bullet cartridges can help crime scene investigators and see how the approximate location of the shooter can be calculated from bullet holes.

Class 6 - Forensic Anthropology
We'll learn all about bones and see what they can tell us about a person.

Class 7 - Hair and Fiber Analysis
We'll take a look at the structural features of hair and fiber and see how they can help in identification of a criminal.

Class 8 - DNA Fingerprinting
We'll learn about DNA and then we'll extract our own DNA from our saliva.  Afterward we'll see how DNA is used in forensics science to identify a criminal.

Class 9 - Tool Marks, Castings, and Impressions
We'll take a look at marks and impressions left at the scene of a crime and see how they can help forensic scientists during an investigation.

Class 10 - Toxicology
We'll take a look at the analysis of powders and other chemicals that might be involved in a crime and then we'll perform a simple analysis using household chemicals.

Class 11 - Glass Evidence
We'll take a look at how glass fracture patterns and differences in glass density can help in the crime scene analysis.

Class 12 - Handwriting and Document Analysis
We'll take a look at how handwriting and document analysis is used in a crime scene investigation and then take a crack at analyzing handwriting ourselves.

Class 13 - Ink Chromatography
We'll talk about how chromatography is used in the analysis of a crime scene and then we'll perform a simple experiment to separate pigments from markers and look at the calculations involved to determine if a pigment is the same from marker to marker.  

Class 14 - Mock Crime Scene
Students will work together to analyze the clues and interview witnesses and suspects to determine which suspect is guilty.

Class 15 - Mock Crime Scene and Case Studies Discussion
We'll finish up the mock crime scene and determine the culprit and then also discuss some case studies where the learned techniques were actually able to help catch the criminal.