Forensics Honors Syllabus

Course Description:  

Forensics explores how scientific principles and techniques are applied to investigate crimes and solve mysteries, covering topics like crime scene analysis, evidence collection, and forensic science disciplines like DNA analysis, fingerprinting, and toxicology.  This semester-long course uses activities and labs to better understand all of the following topics and more:

• Crime Scene Investigation - Scene Management, Evidence Collection and Preservation, and Documentation

• Fingerprint Analysis

• Blood Evidence

• DNA Profiling 

• Ballistics 

• Trace Evidence Analysis - Fiber Analysis, Hair Analysis, etc.

• Handwriting Analysis 

• Digital Forensic Analysis

• Document Forensic Analysis 

• Arson Investigation

Textbook: Holt McDougal: Forensics

Student Learning Outcomes:

By the successful completion of this course, you will be able to:

1. Process a crime scene

2. Collect and package evidence

3. Apply Locard's Exchange Principle to a crime scene

4. Examine biological evidence

5. Identify trace evidence

6. Classify and evaluate the reliability of evidence 

7. Reconstruct a timeline

8. Communicate findings

Extra Help:

I am available before school for extra help from 8 to 8:30 AM and after school by appintment only. 24 hours notice is required.

Classroom Expectations:

The goal of these classroom rules is to provide an excellent learning environment for all students. Through a team effort in following all guidelines, this classroom will succeed in providing a learning environment to help further the success of all students. Raise your hand if you need to leave your seat. Practice respect for yourself, other students, and the teacher at all times. Cell phones and other electronic devices should not be accessible, visible, or in use at any time while inside the classroom. No cell phones are allowed during class. Please read the full Cell Phone Policy.

1. Arrive on time.

2. Treat yourself, the course material, the classroom, and others with respect. Clean up after yourself. 

3. Be prepared for class. Preparedness includes bringing all of your materials to class every day.

4. Place backpacks on the blue line at the front of the room.

5. All electronic devices must remain in the backpack during class. You must get permission to access the backpack after the bell rings.

6. No food or open drink containers in the classroom.  

7. Remain in your seat while I am teaching/talking. Reserve trips to the trash can, pencil sharpener, etc., for the completion of teaching/talking.

8. Be respectful of yourself and your peers.  

9. Use only professional language in the classroom.

10. Do not interrupt me while I am taking attendance.  Reserve questions and other needs until completion of attendance. 

11. Begin working on the bell ringer when the warning bell rings.

12. Turn in work on time.

13. Students may only use their SmartPasses during independent work time. 

Sharpening pencils and other tasks should be handled before or after class.  If you occasionally need to handle these duties during class time, be sure you wait until I am done teaching. 

Classroom Disciplinary Procedure:

• First Offense - Verbal Warning

• Second Offense - Verbal Warning & call home

• Third Offense - 30-Minute detention & call home

• Fourth Offense - Referral to Administration

Tardies: 

Students must be in their assigned seat when the tardy bell rings or they will be marked tardy.  I start class as soon as the bell rings. When students arrive late, they are expected to enter quietly and do so without disturbing the teacher or other students so that class time is not lost. Please see the Mauldin High School Tardy Policy for further information. 

Academic Honesty: 

If a student violates the Honor Code Policy or plagiarizes the work they submit, parents and administrators will be informed and a grade of zero will be given. Sharing Google documents or other digital files for individual assignments is considered cheating. Cheating is a violation of the Honor Code Policy and will result in a zero for all students involved with the assignment as well as notifying parents and administrators. Please see the Mauldin High School Student and Parent Handbook for more information about academic honesty. 

*Please note that you are responsible for checking Google Classroom and the Weekly Planner every day to prepare for assignments and note any changes that occur on the schedule, even when you are absent.

Extra Help:

I will be available before school from 8 to 8:30 AM and after school by appointment only. 24 hours notice is required.

Makeup Work Policy:

• Students have 1 school day for each absence to 

  • submit missed work for full credit -OR- arrange a new due date with the teacher within 5 school days (extenuating circumstances)

  • Make-up Tests will be scheduled by the teacher

• After this window, work is considered late

Late Work Policy

• All minor assignments and projects will have a Due Date and a Final Deadline. 

1. Due Dates are the initial day an assignment is due. 

2. The Final Deadline is the last day an assignment will be accepted for credit.

3. Assignments submitted after the Due Date but before the Final Deadline may receive a late penalty.

• Minor Assignments and Homework

  • If not submitted by the Due Date: a grade of 0 will be recorded.

  • A Late Penalty of 25 points will be applied if the assignment is submitted before the Final Deadline.

  • Final Deadline: no work will be accepted after 5 school days to the end of quarter.

• Tests (Major Assessment)

  • Make-up Tests will be scheduled by the teacher

  • A student who refuses to take a scheduled test while present at school will receive a final grade of 0 on the assessment.

• Projects (Major Assessment)

  • If not submitted by the Due Date: a grade of 0 will be recorded.

  • A Late Penalty of 10 points will be applied if the project is submitted before the Final Deadline.

  • Final Deadline: no project will be accepted after 5 school days to the end of quarter.

MagicSchool AI Syllabus Statement

This year, students will use MagicSchool AI, a generative AI platform designed specifically for education. As tools like ChatGPT and Gemini become standard in the professional world, utilizing MagicSchool prepares students for the future workforce by teaching safe and responsible technology use.

Students will use these tools for real-time feedback and dynamic problem-solving. To ensure appropriate use, teachers retain access to all student chats. MagicSchool strictly protects privacy and does not collect or utilize student data. All AI software, including MagicSchool, complies with GCS Board Policy and Administrative Rule IA.

Generative AI Syllabus Statement

This course may utilize generative AI tools, such as MagicSchool and Google Gemini, to supplement traditional instruction. Greenville County Schools prioritizes the ethical use of these technologies for brainstorming and self-guided learning.

• Critical Thinking First: AI must not replace original thought or coursework.

• Academic Integrity: Using AI to complete and submit assignments as original work constitutes plagiarism.

• Required Citation: If teacher-approved, all AI use must be properly cited.

• Content Awareness: Students must remain vigilant regarding potential biases and inaccuracies in AI-generated content.

• Policy Compliance: All AI programs align with GCS Board Policy and Administrative Rule IA.

• Classroom Rules: A student must have pre-approval to utilize AI. Students who use AI must include the prompt that was used to create the product in MagicSchool