Forensics 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

All materials must be brought in by the first day of the semester per the Greenville County School District Academic Calendar. Chromebooks are required to be in operational order each day in class. Students are responsible for charging their Chromebooks and completing any repairs necessary to maintain functionality. Please remember to bring all materials to class every day. Students can only participate in labs if they have completed all lab safety training requirements of the Greenville County School District. 

Assessment and Grading Policy:  

     Major Tests/Labs & Reports/Projects:                          60%

     Minor Labs/Quizzes/Activities/Classwork:                    40%

     Classwork that does not get completed in school will become homework and due the next day!

SC Grading Scale:

A 90-100

B 80-89

C 70-79

D 60-69

F 0-59

Parents can check student grades at any time via the Parent Backpack.  Contact the guidance department for more information on using the Parent Backpack.

Extra Help:

I will be available before or after school for extra help. 24 hours notice is required.

Late Work Policy:

Any class work not completed in class will be assigned as a homework assignment for that night.  Each student is required to hand in this work at the beginning of class the following day.  Assignments may be handed in up to 5 days late, with a penalty of 5 points for each day late. Please see the Mauldin High School Late Work Policy for further information.

Make-up Work Policy:

Attendance is necessary to succeed in this course, especially now that we are on a block semester schedule.  Missing one day is like missing 2 on a regular schedule!  If you are absent, it is your responsibility to contact me the day you return to class for your assignments.  Absences will have five school days to make up any missed work before obtaining a zero for that assignment.  Zeros will not be cleared later in the nine weeks if students hand in work after the five day time period. If there are any extenuating circumstances concerning make-up work, the students or parents should contact me to discuss their individual situation before the student returns to school. Please see the Mauldin High School Late Work Policy for further information.

Classroom Guidelines:

The goal of these classroom guidelines 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 see the Cell Phone Policy here.

• Arrive on time (Bell Schedules)

• Bring all materials

• Place backpacks in the back of the room

• Clean up after yourself

• Be respectful of yourself and your peers

• Use only professional language in the classroom

• Turn in work on time

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: You should be in your assigned seat when the tardy bell rings.  I start class as soon as the bell rings. I have a low tolerance for students who come in late and disrupt the class instructions. It is disrespectful to both the teacher and other students to disrupt the learning environment by coming to class tardy. 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 on 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 you are responsible for checking Google Classroom every day to prepare for assignments and note any changes that occur on the schedule.