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Rebecca Addison » Forensic Standards

Forensic Standards

Science Georgia Standards of Excellence

 

SCIENCE – Forensic Science

 

SFS1. Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information to properly conduct a forensic investigation of a crime scene.

  1. Construct an explanation of how scientific forensic techniques used in collecting and submitting evidence for admissibility in court have evolved over time.

(Clarification statement: Emphasis is on Locard’s Exchange Principle, Frye standard, Daubert ruling)

  1. Plan and carry out investigations using the scientific protocols for analyzing a crime scene (e.g., search, isolate, collect, and record).
  2. Construct an argument from evidence explaining the relevance of possible evidence at the site of an investigation.
  3. Develop models to analyze and communicate information obtained from the crime scene.

(Clarification statement: Properly document and sketch a crime scene.)

 

SFS2. Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information on various scientific techniques to analyze physical, trace, and digital evidence.

  1. Plan and carryout an investigation to determine the value of physical and trace evidence.
  2. Plan and carryout an investigation to analyze the morphology and types of hair, fibers, soil and glass evidence in order to make a physical match examination.
  3. Use models for the evaluation of handwriting and document evidence.
  4. Analyze and interpret data to evaluate digital sources of evidence.
  5. Ask questions to determine the appropriate uses of chromatography and spectroscopy in evidence analysis.

(Clarification statement: Addressing spectroscopy at an analytical chemistry level is not required.)

 

SFS3. Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information relating to biological evidence in forensic investigations.

  1. Ask questions to investigate types of toxins, poisons, and drugs and their effects on the body.
  2. Analyze and interpret data to investigate the effects of blood alcohol content on the body.
  3. Construct an explanation to distinguish the difference between human and animal blood.
  4. Plan and carry out an investigation to analyze the physics of bloodstain patterns.
  5. Plan and carry out an investigation involving DNA processing and analysis.

SFS4. Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information to analyze the role of impression evidence in order to make a physical match examination.

  1. Construct an explanation for utilizing the appropriate technique to lift and evaluate identifiable, latent, plastic and patent fingerprints.

(Clarification statement: Classifying print and minutiae patterns are addressed in this element. Students should be able to explain why they are using a specific technique.)

  1. Analyze and interpret data regarding impression evidence.

(Clarification statement: Impression evidence could include ballistics, tool marks, footwear, tire impressions, etc.).

  1. Construct an explanation to support the significance of impression evidence in an investigation.

 

 

SFS5. Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information to Medicolegal Death Investigations.

  1. Ask questions to identify various causes of death (blunt force trauma, heart attack, bleeding, etc.).
  2. Construct an argument based on evidence that pertains to the manner of death (natural, homicide, suicide, accidental, or undetermined).
  3. Use mathematics and computational thinking to explain post mortem changes used to determine post mortem interval (PMI):
  • Rigor mortis
  • Livor mortis
  • Algor mortis
  • Gastric contents

(Clarification statement: Instruction should include the historical use of Algor Mortis as it is often not used by practicing forensic specialists.)

  1. Analyze and interpret entomological data to evaluate the role insects play in decomposition and determining PMI.
  2. Plan and carry out an investigation to analyze height, sex, age, and race to develop an anthropological profile of the victim and potential perpetrator.