Forensic Toxicology, Handwriting Analysis, Forensic Entomology
Forensic Science
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Chapter 9 Scenario - Another Famous Overdose
Cory Monteith, 31-year-old costar of the popular American musical drama television series Glee, was found dead in a Vancouver, British Columbia, hotel on July 13, 2013. The Coroner Service stated that evidence found in his room was consistent with a drug overdose. It appeared that the death was accidental. The autopsy and toxicology tests confirmed that Cory died due to a combination of alcohol and heroin.
Chapter 9 Introduction
Forensic toxicologists analyze biological specimens and samples as evidence to determine if toxins or drugs are present and capable of contributing to death or behavioral changes in an individual. If a substance is present, the forensic toxicologist works to determine if it has been legitimately used. The forensic toxicologist also analyzes evidence from drug-facilitated crimes that occur when a victim is robbed, assaulted, or incapacitated by a drug and is unable to consent to an activity or unable to fight back.
Chapter 10 Scenario - Master Forger
Frank W. Abagnale, a reformed master forger, describes in his book The Art of the Steal how a visitor from Argentina was issued a parking ticket on a rental car in Florida. Although the fine was $20, he placed $22 in an envelope and mailed it to the Miami city clerk. On receipt of the money, the clerk issued a $2 refund. On receiving the check, the man scanned it into his computer, changed the amount to $1.45 million, and deposited the check into his account in a bank in Argentina. The check was cashed, and the money was transferred. He was never arrested, and the money was not recovered.
Chapter 10 Introduction
Every year, the worldwide financial loss caused by illegally forged documents and counterfeit currency, consumer products, or works of art grows. New technological advances have enabled nonprofessional counterfeiters to more easily engage in forgery. With the increasing number of people and organizations involved in falsifying documents and products, law enforcement is finding it more difficult to combat the crimes.
Chapter 11 Scenario - Identified by Insects
A badly burned body of an unidentified person was found in the woods by Mexican police. The gender of the person could not be identified. The only tissue remaining was a small section of burned liver, which proved unsuitable for DNA analysis. A class ring was found at the crime scene. Ten days prior to the discovery of the remains, a man had reported his daughter missing. He thought she had been abducted. Could the charred liver be the remains of his daughter? How could such small, damaged remains be identified?
Chapter 11 Introduction
The primary focus of this chapter is the medicolegal forensic entomology—the study of how insects or their remains are used in the investigations of death, abuse, and neglect cases. The forensic entomology report, along with other reports related to toxicological, botanical, and DNA evidence, is evaluated by the medical examiner or pathologist who estimates the postmortem interval (PMI). Forensic entomology evidence may help to exclude or include a suspect in a murder case. This chapter reveals how insects can be a homicide detective’s best friend.
Unit Standards
What is the NGSS & 3 Dimensional Science Learning and Why is it Important?
Science Practices - Disciplinary Core Ideas - Crosscutting Concepts
HS-LS1-1: Genes, Proteins, and Tissues
Construct an explanation based on evidence for how the structure of DNA determines the structure of proteins which carry out the essential functions of life through systems of specialized cells.
Clarification Statement: none
Boundary Statement: Assessment does not include identification of specific cell or tissue types, whole body systems, specific protein structures and functions, or the biochemistry of protein synthesis.
HS-LS1-2: Interacting Body Systems
Develop and use a model to illustrate the hierarchical organization of interacting systems that provide specific functions within multicellular organisms. (Systems and System Models)
Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on functions at the organism system level such as nutrient uptake, water delivery, and organism movement in response to neural stimuli. An example of an interacting system could be an artery depending on the proper function of elastic tissue and smooth muscle to regulate and deliver the proper amount of blood within the circulatory system.
Boundary Statement: Assessment does not include interactions and functions at the molecular or chemical reaction level.
HS-LS3-1: Chromosomal Inheritance
Ask questions to clarify relationships about the role of DNA and chromosomes in coding the instructions for characteristic traits passed from parents to offspring. (Cause and Effect)
Clarification Statement: none
Boundary Statement: Assessment does not include the phases of meiosis or the biochemical mechanism of specific steps in the process.
HS-PS1-1: Valence Electrons and Properties of Elements
Use the periodic table as a model to predict the relative properties of elements based on the patterns of electrons in the outermost energy level of atoms.
Clarification Statement: Examples of properties that could be predicted from patterns could include reactivity of metals, types of bonds formed, numbers of bonds formed, and reactions with oxygen.
Boundary Statement: Assessment is limited to main group elements. Assessment does not include quantitative understanding of ionization energy beyond relative trends.
HS-PS1-2: Simple Chemical Reactions
Construct and revise an explanation for the outcome of a simple chemical reaction based on the outermost electron states of atoms, trends in the periodic table, and knowledge of the patterns of chemical properties.
Clarification Statement: Examples of chemical reactions could include the reaction of sodium and chlorine, of carbon and oxygen, or of carbon and hydrogen.
Boundary Statement: Assessment is limited to chemical reactions involving main group elements and combustion reactions.
HS-PS4-1: Wave Properties in Various Media
Use mathematical representations to support a claim regarding relationships among the frequency, wavelength, and speed of waves traveling in various media. (Cause and Effect)
Clarification Statement: Examples of data could include electromagnetic radiation traveling in a vacuum and glass, sound waves traveling through air and water, and seismic waves traveling through the Earth.
Boundary Statement: Assessment is limited to algebraic relationships and describing those relationships qualitatively.
HS-PS4-5: Waves and Information Technology
Communicate technical information about how some technological devices use the principles of wave behavior and wave interactions with matter to transmit and capture information and energy. (Cause and Effect)
Clarification Statement: Examples could include solar cells capturing light and converting it to electricity; medical imaging; and communications technology.
Boundary Statement: Assessments are limited to qualitative information. Assessments do not include band theory.
Learning Objectives / Career Connections
By the end of this chapter, students should be able to:
Chapter 9
9.1 Define toxicology and the methods by which toxicologists examine and detect the effects of harmful
substances on the human body.
9.2 Discuss significant historical contributions to the analysis, detection, and regulation of harmful
substances, including a comparison of the 1970 Controlled Substances Act & 2018 First Step Act.
9.3 Identify the four ways that harmful substances can enter and be distributed throughout the body and
the resulting short-term and long-term effects.
9.4 Describe the characteristics and effects of various harmful substances, including heavy metals,
gases, poisons, chemicals, toxins, drugs, and alcohol.
9.5 Summarize how to detect, document, and properly collect and package toxicological specimens as
evidence.
9.6 Discuss what the toxicologist considers when testing and analyzing toxicological evidence in a
forensic investigation.
9.7 Identify recent advances in technology that have enhanced the detection and testing of harmful
substances in the body.
9.8 Conduct a preliminary drug test analysis using presumptive and spot testing techniques.
9.9 Discuss the role of positive and negative controls when conducting a lab analysis.
9.10 Discuss recommendations of OSAC and NIST to improve lab safety and the validity and reliability of
drug testing and analysis.
9.11 Participate in a debate regarding the use of drugs, using claims based on scientific evidence to
argue and counterargue your point of view.
Chapter 10
10.1 Discuss what is involved in document analysis and the training required to become a certified
document analyst.
10.2 Identify historical cases of significance related to handwriting analysis.
10.3 List different factors that can contribute to the uniqueness of handwriting.
10.4 Describe the unique characteristics that handwriting can exhibit, including letter, line, and formatting
variations.
10.5 Explain the process and techniques involved in the analysis of handwriting, and the validity of that
analysis.
10.6 Provide examples of how criminals can forge checks, documents, and works of art, and describe
the techniques experts use to detect forgery.
10.7 Describe counterfeiting as it relates to both currency and products, and describe what the
government, retailers, and manufacturers do to counteract these counterfeiting operations.
10.8 Identify advances in technology that have enabled experts to analyze handwriting and detect and
prevent forgery and counterfeiting.
10.9 Analyze handwriting samples using both qualitative and quantitative methods.
10.10 Analyze a handwriting sample to determine if the sample is consistent or inconsistent with an
exemplar.
10.11 Analyze paper currency to determine if the currency is authentic or counterfeit.
Chapter 11
11.1 Describe several examples of how forensic entomology is used to help solve crimes.
11.2 Discuss important events in the history of forensic entomology.
11.3 Describe the five stages of decomposition and the process of insect development and succession
that occurs during decomposition.
11.4 Identify the effects of different environmental factors on insect development and how these factors
can provide evidence for the forensic entomologist.
11.5 Explain the procedures for documenting and collecting insect evidence from the crime scene.
11.6 Explain how the forensic entomologist interprets insect evidence and applies environmental
variables to answer questions about a dead body and the crime.
11.7 Identify advances in forensic entomology that have led to more reliable identification of insect
remains and of the victim.
11.8 Raise, observe, and document the stages of development and various characteristics of the
blowfly.
11.9 Select and complete or participate in an interactive project that demonstrates an understanding of
forensic entomology.
11.10 Estimate postmortem intervals to help approximate time of death based on insect evidence found
at a crime scene.
Using ChatGPT to find local Colorado Phenomena
Use the following prompt, adjust accordingly. "I am a high school science teacher looking for a local Colorado phenomena to address NGSS standard (enter standard you are looking for... example HS-LS1-6)"
Career Connections
Connecting what students are learning to careers not only deepens their engagement in school but also helps them make more informed choices about their future. Browse the following related career profiles to discover what scientists really do on the job and what it takes to prepare for these careers. For additional profiles visit your Year at a Glance Page.
Hands On, Minds On Connections
St Vrain Science Center
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