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Posted January 2nd, 2009 by admin

Drugs, Detectives and DNA

Author: Patricia Ligon
Level: High School
Content Area: Chemistry, Biotechnology, Forensics

Forensics Resources

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Forensics Resources

Forensic Items Purchased

  1. ABO/Rh Simulated Blood Typing Laboratory Kit, Flinn Scientific Catalog # FB1225.
    http://www.flinnsci.com/
  2. Female Human Skull, catalog # 246949, Adult Human Skull, catalog # 702651, Male Pelvis, catalog # 247755, Female Pelvis, catalog # 247765: Carolina Biological Supply Company 2700 York Road, Burlington, NC 27215-3398, 1-800-334-5551.
    http://www.carolina.com
  3. Refractive index liquids and glass from R.P. Cargille Laboratories, 55 Commerce Road, Cedar Grove, NJ 57009
    http://www.cargille.com/
  4. Slides of fibers and hair from R.P. Cargille Laboratories, 55 Commerce Road, Cedar Grove, NJ 57009
    http://www.cargille.com/
  5. Introduction to Toxicology Lab Kit # ER-69-9764: Carolina Biological Supply Company 2700 York Road, Burlington, NC 27215-3398, 1-800-334-5551.
    http://www.carolina.com/
  6. Cargille laboratories for background information and slides of hair and fiber.
    http://www.cargille.com/
  7. Blood Alcohol Determination Kit # ER-69-9772: Carolina Biological Supply Company 2700 York Road, Burlington, NC 27215-3398, 1-800-334-5551.
    http://www.carolina.com/
  8. Cargille laboratories for background information and slides of hair and fiber.
    http://www.cargille.com/
  9. DNA can be obtained from:
    http://www.neb.com/nebecomm/default.asp or
    http://www.bio-rad.com (both are very teacher friendly)
  10. Fingerprinting supplies:
    http://www.sirchie.com/
  11. Paper Chromatography rolls from Fisher Scientific Fisher
    (https://www1.fishersci.com/index)
  12. Thin Layer Chromatography kit from Flinn Scientific Catalog # AP4504
    http://www.flinnsci.com/

Forensic Books and Curriculum Used:

  1. Evans, Colin, “The Casebook of Forensic Detection”. New York: John Wiley, 1966. ISBN 047128369X (source of many crime stories)
  1. Funkhouser, John, and Barbara Deslich, “Forensic Science: A Problem Solving Approach for High School, a course curriculum.” Department of Chemistry, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824.
  1. Innes, Brian, “Bodies of Evidence.” Pleasantville, New York, The Reader’s Digest Association by arrangement with Amber Books Ltd. Amber Books Ltd, Bradley’s Close, 74-77 White Lion Street, London N1 9PF, 2000. ISBN 0-7621-0295-0. (source of many crime stories)
  1. Ludas, Joseph M., “Fingerprint Discoveries,” Sirchie fingerprint laboratories, Forensic Press, 100 Hunter Place, Youngsville, NC, 1996. http://www.forensicpress.com/afisinstructor.html
  1. Maples, William R., “Dead Man Do Tell Tales,” Broadway Books, a division of Random House, Inc, 1540 Broadway, New York, NY 10036, 1994. (Information on Anthropology – easy and interesting to read) ISBN 0-385-47968-9
  1. Meloan, Clifton E., James, Richard E. and Saperstein, Richard, “Criminalistics: An Introduction to Forensic Science” Lab Manual, seventh edition, Prentice Hall. Upper Saddle, NJ, 07458, 2001. ISBN 0-13-02053-8
  1. Platt, Richard, “Crime Scene: The Ultimate Guide to Forensic Science,” DK Publishing, 375 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014, 2003. ISBN 0-7894-8891-4
  1. Ramsland, Katherine, “The Forensic science of C.S.I.” Berkeley Publishing Group, a division of Penguin Putnam Inc., 375 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014, 2001. ISBN 0-425-18359-9
  1. Roueche, Berton, “The Medical Detectives,” Penguin Books 375 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014, 1991. ISBN 0-452-26588-6 (good short stories that solve medical mysteries)
  1. Saperstein, Richard, “Criminalistics: An Introduction to Forensic Science,” Prentice Hall, Inc., Upper Saddle, NJ 07458, 2001. ISBN 0-13-013827-4 (textbook with lots of background information and figures)
  1. Walker, Pam and Wood, Elaine; “Crime Scene Investigations – Real Life Science Labs for Grades 6-12,” Prentice Hall (Simon and Schuster) by The Center for Applied Research in Education, West Nyack, NY 10994, 1998. ISBN 0-87628-135-8 (www.phdirect.com)
  2. Rathbun, Ted (lecture notes from an NCCAT seminar) http://archaeology.about.com/library/univ/blsouthcarolina.htm

Forensic Activities & Webquests

DNA Forensics: Crime
One quick exp., match blood by DNA fingerprints

Who Dunnit?
Middle school, fun and cute. http://www.cyberbee.com/whodunnit/crime.html

"Bones and Badges" webquests.
Large web quest that can be done in teams with different cases:
http://projects.edtech.sandi.net/kearny/forensic/

Many interesting crime stories on the web from these sites.

http://www.crimespider.com/
http://www.crimelibrary.com/criminal_mind
http://www.personal.psu.edu/users/w/x/wxk116/tylenol/
http://www.safran-arts.com/42day/history/h4may/h4may08.html
www.courttv.com

Forensic Website Lesson Plans

Archaeological Detectives--Forensic Science lesson plan (grades 6-8)-Discovery School http://school.discovery.com/lessonplans/programs/archdetectives/ (nice activity)

Writing as Criminal Evidence--Forensic Science/Physical Science lesson plan (grades 6-8)
http://school.discovery.com/lessonplans/programs/forgery/

Similar Substances--Forensic Science/Physical Science lesson plan (grades 6-8)--
http://school.discovery.com/lessonplans/programs/simsubstances/

Forensic Detectives: Who Did It?--Forensic Science/Physical Science lesson plan
http://school.discovery.com/lessonplans/programs/whodidit/

The Lesson Plan Library offers forensic science lesson plans for teachers. http://school.discovery.com/lessonplans/forensics.html

Website of a forensic science project with many on line activities: You mail email the author for more instructions and a login and password to use the site.
http://www.schoolnet.ca/vp-pv/fscience/e/stdinfo/bkgrdfor.htm

Forensic General Information

Forensic Links (general forensic science information) http://www.hendersonville-pd.org/links/forensics.html

DNA Forensics (good background information about DNA fingerprinting) http://www.kumc.edu/gec/forensic.html

Anthropology Websites:

(http://www2.lib.udel.edu/subj/anth/phys/internet.htm):

Anthro.Net
A search engine that "queries a database of over 40,000 reviewed web sites with anthropological content built by the interests of its users."
Anthropology Resources on the Internet
Maintained by the American Anthropological Association.
Anthropology Resources on the Internet
Maintained by Bernard-Olivier Clist.
Anthropology Web Sites (University of California, Santa Barbara) Basic presentation is by topical focus: Cultural Anthropology, Archaeology, Physical Anthropology; and geographic focus.
Biological Anthropology (Yahoo)
http://www.physanth.org/
http://www.carolina.com/anthropology/index.asp
http://archaeology.about.com/library/univ/blsouthcarolina.htm

Blood:

http://nobelprize.org/medicine/educational/landsteiner/readmore.html
http://129.128.91.75/de/immunology/70imm-ag.html (Red blood cell information)

Chemical Analysis Websites:

HPLC Chromatography tutorial:
http://www.ionsource.com/tutorial/chromatography/rphplc.htm

Infrared Spectroscopy tutorial:
http://www.columbia.edu/cu/chemistry/edison/IRTutor.html
http://www.organicworldwide.net/infrared.html

Toxins:
http://www.personal.psu.edu/users/w/x/wxk116/tylenol/
http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/cgi-bin/bbbglos?Tetrodotoxin

Fingerprints

http://www.met.police.uk/so/100years/history.htm (History of the fingerprint bureau) http://www.correctionhistory.org/html/chronicl/dcjs/html/nyidbur2.html (includes Bertillon method information) http://www.correctionhistory.org/html/chronicl/dcjs/html/nyidbur3.html (American system of fingerprinting) Sirchie© Fingerprint Laboratories, Inc. is a fully integrated manufacturer of quality products for the worldwide law enforcement community.
http://www.sirchie.com/

Hair

http://www.natural-hair.com/structure.html (nice figure of hair structure) http://www.salonweb.com/gold/tri.htm (discusses hydrogen bonds and beta structure of the hair)

Videos

"Court TV Forensics Collection" 5 episodes on 1 tape (1995-1999, approximately 2 hours) Court TV. 600 Third Ave. NY, NY 10016. www.courttv.com

Forensic Supply Websites

Cargille laboratories for background information and slides of hair and fiber.
http://www.cargille.com/

Carpenter's Forensic Science Resources: lots of different types of resources for forensic sciences. http://www.tncrimlaw.com/forensic/

Carolina Biological Supply Company http://www.carolina.com

Crime and Forensic supplies, Fingerprinting kits and supplies, and Evidence Pack

http://www.flinnsci.com/

Sirchie© Finger Print Laboratories, Inc. is a fully integrated manufacturer of quality products for the worldwide law enforcement community
http://www.sirchie.com/

REDDY'S FORENSIC HOME PAGE (general forensic science information) http://www.forensicpage.com/

Supplies:

FB1225 ABO/Rh Simulated Blood Typing Student Laboratory Kit Flinn Scienctific

Texts and Resources:

  1. Evans, Colin, The Casebook of Forensic Detection. New York: John Wiley and sons, 1996. ISBN 0-7621-0295-0
  2. Fisher, David, Hard Evidence. New York: Dell, 1995
  3. Forensics Laboratory Manual: Glencoe Chemistry Matter and Change, Glencoe McGraw-Hill, N.Y., N.Y. ISBN0-07-824527-3
  4. "Forensics Press" for fingerprint activities
  5. Funkhouser, John, and Barbara Deslich , Forensic Science: A Problem Solving Approach for High School, a course curriculum. Department of Chemistry, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824
  6. Innes, Brian, Bodies of Evidence. Pleasantville, New York, The Reader's Digest Association, Inc. 2000
  7. Meloan, Clifton E. and Saperstein, Richard; Criminalistics Lab Manual, Seventh Edition, Prentice Hall 2001. ISBN 0-13-020533-8
  8. Maples, William R. and Browning, Michael, Dead Men Do Tell Tales, Broadway Books with Doubleday, New York 1994. ISBN 0-385-47968-9
  9. Platt, Richard, Crime Scene: the Ultimate Guide to Forensic Science DK Publishing 375 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014. ISBN 0-7894-8891-4
  10. Ramsland, Katherine, The Forensic Science of C.S.I., Berkeley Boulevard books, N.Y. 2001. ISBN 0-425-18359-9
  11. Roueche, Berton, The Medical Detectives, Truman/Talley Books/Plume, N.Y., Published by the Penquin Group, 1991. ISBV 0-452-26588-6
  12. Saferstein, Richard, Criminalistics: An Introduction to Forensic Science
  13. Walker, Pam and Wood, Elaine; Crime Scene Investigations - Real Life Science Labs for Grades 6-12 ISBN 0-87628-135-8 Prentice-hall (Simon and Schuster) by The Center for Applied Research in Education

Thanks to both Dr. Funkhouser and Ms. Deslich for their resources supplied for many of the activities in this curriculum (addresses below).

John Funkhouser
Department of Chemistry
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI 48824

Barbara Deslich
Everett high School
3900 Stabler Street
Lansing, MI 48910

WEBSITES: MEGA:

Give your students the opportunity to see how our Disease Detectives -- "epis" (epidemiologists) and GIS specialists -- collaborate to solve important disease cases -- in this case, for our feathered friends.

Our Disease Detectives, Allyson Jason, USDA-APHIS, Dr. Barbara Porter-Spalding, USDA-APHIS, and David Wray, NCDA&CS, will engage students in a problem-based learning activity to learn basic epidemiological principles and solve the case of a rare chicken-threatening disease.

The session helps kick off GIS Live, Nov. 19th, in the 9:10 to 10 a.m. slot. You'll find more details and lots of information to pique your students' interest.

Available via 2-way videoconferencing or interactive webcast. Contact Cris at 919.807.3582 or ccrissma@dpi.state.nc.us for info on accessing this event and many others that are part of GIS Live -- http://www.GISliveNC.net

All e-mail correspondence to and from this address is subject to the North Carolina Public Records Law, which may result in monitoring and disclosure to third parties, including law enforcement.

Cris Crissman, PhD
STAR Schools Consultant
Distance Learning Systems
North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (919) 807-3582; FAX (919) 807-3290
New mailing address: 6364 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-6364
Any technology sufficiently advanced is indistinguishable from magic. -- Arthur C. Clarke

Forensic Science Resources:

http://www.tncrimlaw.com/forensic/f_criminalistics.html
(Forensic Science Resources Criminalistics and Trace Evidence found at this website)

 

Criminalistics and Trace Evidence:
Criminalistics and Trace Evidence are both catch-all terms that apply to all types of physical evidence that may be circumstantial evidence in the trial of a case. Most often, the term is meant to include a variety of types of trace evidence analyzed by experts who are sometimes identified as "microanalysts," sometimes as "trace evidence examiners," or as "criminalists," or indeed by several different specialists. Microanalysts determine the nature of small items of trace evidence and compare it with known materials for the purpose of determining the origin of the trace evidence. See also, Crime Scene Investigation

Criminalistics and Trace Evidence Links

American Board of Criminalistics
Crime and Clues :Forensic Science and Criminalistics
International Association for Identification

Ballistics/Firearms

Association of Firearm and Toolmark Examiners
An Introduction to Ballistics
An Introduction to Forensic Firearms Identification
Gunshot Residues: GSR Dynamics
Weapon Identification in Forensic Science

Bloodstain Analysis

The International Association of Bloodstain Pattern Analysts Homepage

Fingerprints

Automated Fingerprint Identification Systems (AFIS)
Bibliography of Fingerprint related articles (focusing on E.R. Menzel)
TWGFAST - Technical Working Group on Friction Ridge Analysis, Study and Technology
Earprint Identification - article

Microscopy/Trace Evidence

American Board of Criminalistics :Trace Evidence Exam Study Guide
Association of Firearm and Toolmark Examiners
Forensic hair comparison using neural networks
Microscopy Society of America
Microscopy Resources on the Web

Criminalistics and Trace Evidence Bibliography

Firearms Identification and Comparative Micrography Bearse, Sporting Arms of the World, (Harper & Row, New York: 1976)
Grennell, Pistol and Revolver Digest, (DBI Books, Inc., 1976)
Hatcher, Jury & Weller, Firearms Investigation, Identification and Evidence, (Third Edition) (Stackpole Books, Harrisburg, PA: 1977)
Hatcher, Hatcher's Notebook, (Stackpole Books, Harrisburg, PA: 1966)
Mathews, Firearms Identification, ( Charles C. Thomas , Springfield, IL: 1973)( Out of Print )
The Shooter's Bible, (Stoeger Publishing Co., New Jersey: 1995)
Warner, ed., 1995 Gun Digest, (DBI Books, Inc., 1995)
See also "Video Tapes and Slides", infra ,.
Fingerprint, Palmprint, Footwear, Imprint Identification
Bodziak, Footwear Impression Evidence , ( CRC Press , Boca Raton, FL: 1992)
Cassidy, Footwear Identification, (RCMP, Montreal: 1980)
Cowger, Friction Ridge Skin: Comparison and Identification of Fingerprints , ( CRC Press , Boca Raton, FL: 1992)
Cummins & Midlo, Fingerprints, Palms and Soles, (Research Publishing Co., South Berlin, MA: 1973)
Federal Bureau of Investigation , The Science of Fingerprints, ( GPO , Washington, D.C.: 1984)
Lee & Gaevsslen, Advances in Fingerprint Technology, ( Elsevier Press , New York:1991)
Moenssens, Fingerprint Techniques, (Chilton, New York: 1971)
Robbins, Footprints: Collection, Analysis and Interpretation , ( Charles Thomas , Springfield, IL: 1985)
McDonald, Tire Imprint Evidence , ( CRC Press , Baco Raton, FL: 1992)

Trace Evidence

DeForest & Gaensslen & Lee, Forensic Science - An Introduction to Criminalistics, ( McGraw Hill Co. , NY: 1983)
Goldstein, et. al., Scanning Electron Microscopy and X-Ray Microscopy, (Plenum, New York: 1989)
McCrone & McCrone & Delly, Polarized Light Microscopy, (Ann Arbor Science Publishers, Inc., Ann Arbor MI: 1978)
Yinon, Forensic Applications of Mass Spectrometry , ( CRC Press , Boca Raton, FL: 1995)

Hair

Hicks, Microscopy of Hair: A Practical Guide and Manual, ( Federal Bureau of Investigation , Washington, D.C.: 1977)
Robbins, Chemical and Physical Behavior of Human Hair, (Second Edition) (Sprinqer-Verlaq, New York: 1988)
Valkovic, Human Hair (Vol I/II), ( CRC Press , Boca Raton, FL:1988)
Yinon, Forensic Applications of Mass Spectrometry , ( CRC Press , Boca Raton, FL: 1995)

Fibers

Catling & Grayson, Identification of Vegetable Fibers, ( Chapman Hall, Ltd. , London: 1982)
Parham & Gray, The Practical Identification of Wood Pulp Fibers, (Tappi Press, Atlanta GA: 1982)
Yinon, Forensic Applications of Mass Spectrometry , ( CRC Press , Boca Raton, FL: 1995)

Paint

Crown, The Forensic Examination of Paint and Pigments, ( Charles C. Thomas , Springfield IL: 1968)( Out of Print )
Yinon, Forensic Applications of Mass Spectrometry , ( CRC Press , Boca Raton, FL: 1995)

Accident Reconstruction

Bohan and Damask, Eds., Forensic Accident Investigation: Motor Vehicles , ( The Michie Co. , Charlottesville, VA: 1994)
Eubanks, Pedestrian Accident Reconstruction , ( Lawyers & Judges Publishing Company , Tuscon, AZ: 1996)
Limpert, Motor Vehicle Accident Reconstruction and Cause Analysis , ( The Michie Co. , Charlottesville, VA: 1994)
Noon, Introduction to Forensic Engineering , ( CRC Press , Boca Raton, FL: 1992)
Olson, Forensic Aspects of Driver Perception and Response , ( Lawyers & Judges Publishing Company , Tuscon, AZ: 1996)
Watts, Atkinson & Hennessy, Low Speed Automobile Accidents , ( Lawyers & Judges Publishing Company , Tuscon, AZ: 1996)

Bloodstain Pattern Analysis

Eckert & James, Interpretation of Bloodstain Evidence at Crime Scenes, ( Elsevier Press , NY: 1989)
Laber & Epstein, Bloodstain Pattern Analysis, (Callin Publishing, Minneapolis, MN: 1983)
MacDonnel, Bloodstain Pattern Interpretation, (Laboratory of Forensic Science, Corning, NY: 1993)
MacDonnel, Flight Characteristics and Stain Patterns of Human Blood, (LEAA, Washington, D.C.: 1971)
American Board of Criminalistics: Trace Evidence Exam Hair/Fiber Supplemental Reading List
American Board of Criminalistics: Trace Evidence Exam Paint/Poly

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