816

CJ 816 - Issues in Forensic Science
Fall 2000

PROFESSOR:Jay A. Siegel
                            Room 506 Baker Hall (office)
                            Room 126 Chemistry (lab)
                            Office Hours: Tuesday and Thursday 10 a.m. to noon

MEETINGS: Tuesdays 3-4:50 pm
Room 210B Berkey

COURSE DESCRIPTION: This is a graduate level introduction to the field of forensic science. It is designed to introduce science students to the various non-technical aspects of forensic science and its relationship to the criminal justice system.

TEXT MATERIALS: There will be no assigned textbook for this course. Instead there will be a packet of readings that will be available at a local bookstore. This will be a collection of articles covering various aspects of topics of this course. You should purchase this packet as soon as possible. There will also be readings assigned from the "Encyclopedia of Forensic Sciences" available on the web.

COMMUNICATIONS: It is my intention that we make liberal use of the EMAIL system that exists on the campus. I would like to use this for personal and class communications and even for handing in some assignments and getting feedback from me. To that end, you should set up a PILOT EMAIL account as soon as possible. When you have set it up, send me a message indicating that you are "on line". My EMAIL address is: "siegelj@.msu.edu" I check my
mail frequently so please feel free to use this method of communication. I will use it at least weekly. There are also two WEB homepages that are relevant to the forensic science program. The general forensic science homepage is at
http://www.cj.msu.edu/~academic/forenhome.html. The other one is my personal homepage (http://www.cj.msu.edu/~faculty/siegelj.html). It contains copies of this syllabus as well as syllabi for the other courses that I teach.

OBJECTIVES:

1. To understand and describe the development of forensic science in the world and US and how we arrived at the present system.
2. To describe the adversary judicial system and the role of forensic science within it.
3. To learn the development of the rules of evidence that pertain to the introduction of scientific evidence
4. To describe the major ethical issues facing forensic scientists today.
5. To learn the methods of collection and preservation of physical evidence and maintenance of the chain of custody.
6. To learn the various schemes of classification of evidence and their importance.
7. To learn the methods and strategies of the presentation of scientific evidence in court.

ACTIVITIES AND ASSIGNMENTS:

There will be a variety of assignments and activities during the course. Many of them will involve reading and writing. There will be at least one oral presentation by each student.

1. As much as possible, this course will be a seminar. This means that each student will be responsible for presentation of some of the material in the class. You will each be responsible for one or more of the readings that are assigned throughout the semester. You will present the salient points of the reading and lead a discussion of the material. You will be graded on this aspect of the course.

2. Term paper. This will have a written and oral dimension. Each student will choose a topic relevant to the course or forensic science in general and write a 10 page paper on the topic. For example, you may write a research proposal on a topic that you would like to complete your thesis on. Topics must be approved in advance. More information will be given early in the course. You must develop an outline of the paper and turn it in by EMAIL for evaluation by the date given in the schedule of activities. You will then create a draft of the paper and turn it in when required. After it is corrected, you will turn in a final draft of the paper. Toward the end of the semester, you will present a summary of your paper in class.

3. There will also be oral presentations of the term papers, given at the end of the semester. You will spend about 20 minutes summarizing the paper. This will also be graded.

4. There will be a written final exam covering all of the material presented during the semester.

GRADING:

Term Paper (written) 100
Oral term paper presentation 50
Class participation 50
Final Exam 200
Total points: 400

361-400 points 4.0
341-360 3.5
321-340 3.0
301-320 2.5
281-300 2.0
261-280 1.5
241-260 1.0
<241 0.0

SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES

For most class periods, there will be reading assignments that must be read and abstracted before class. Many of these assignments will be supplied to you in the reader for this course and others will be in books you should purchase for all of your courses.

DATE ACTIVITIES and ASSIGNMENTS

Aug 29 Introduction to the course and syllabus

Sept 5, 12

History, Development, Practice of Forensic Science; organization of crime laboratories
Readings:
1. Siegel, Jay, History and Development of the Forensic Expert Witness in the courtroom; in Gerber, S. Ed. Moore Chemistry and Crime, American Chemical Society, 1997.
2. Havard, John, A Historical and Comparative Review of the Reception of Forensic Medical and Scientific Evidence Under Different Systems of Law, Forensic Science Review, 3(1), 1991, 30.
3. Peterson, Joseph, Mihajilovic, Steven and Bedrosian Joanne, The Capabilities, Uses, and Effects of the Nation's Criminalistics Laboratories, J. Forensic Sciences, 32(6): 1987, 1730
4. From the Encyclopedia of Forensic Sciences:
a. Thompson and Smith; Administration of Forensic Science: An international Perspective
b. Tilstone; Administration of Forensic Science: Organization of Laboratories
c. Gaudette; Basic Principles of Forensic Science
d. Gialamas; Criminalistics
e. Wielbo; History: Forensic Sciences

Sept 19, 26

Ethical Issues in Forensic Science: Quality Control and Quality Assurance
Readings:
1. Midwestern Association of Forensic Scientists - Code of Ethics, April, 1995
2. Peterson, Joseph, Ethical Issues in Collection, Examination and Use of Physical Evidence: in Forensic Science, American Chemical Society, 1986, Chapter 4
3. Frankel, Mark, Ethics and the Forensic Sciences: Professional
Autonomy in the Criminal Justice System, J. Forensic Sciences, 34(3): 1989 763
4. Saks, Michael, Prevalence and Impact of Ethical Problems in Forensic Sciences, 343(3), 1989 772
5. Expert Witnesses on Trial, Chicago Sun-Times, March 8, 1987
Peterson, J. and Murdock, J., Forensic Science Ethics: Developing an Integrated System of support and Enforcement, J. Forensic Sciences, 34(3), 1989, 749
6. From the Encyclopedia of Forensic Sciences:
      a.   Smith, Kidwell; Accreditation of Forensic Science Lab
      b.   Longhetti; Education: An International Perspective
      c.   Weinstock, Silva; Ethics
      d.   Tilstone; Quality Assurance: QA/QC

Oct 3 No Class

Oct 10, 24

Laboratory Management and Practices
Readings:
1. Siegel, Jay, Science and Law in the Courtroom: Two Ships Passing in the Night?, Focus on Law Studies, XI(1), 1995, 6
2. Executive Summary - Report on the FBI Laboratory, Office of the Inspector General of The Department of Justice, April, 1997. Can be found on the Web at: http://www.usdoj.gov/oig/fbilab1/00exesum.htm
3. The Role of Forensic Science Evidence in Criminal Proceedings, Chapters 4 and 5, The Royal Commission on Criminal Justice, Research Study No. 11, 1993
4. Havard, John, Expert Scientific Evidence under the Adversarial System. A Travesty of Justice?, J. Forensic Science Soc., 32(3), 1992, 225
5. Hand, Learned, Historical and Practical Considerations Regarding Expert Testimony, Harvard Law Review, 15, 1902, 40

Oct 17 MAFS - No Class

Oct 31

Physical Evidence: Collection, Preservation, Chain of Custody
Readings:
1. Saferstein, Richard, Criminalistics, An Introduction to Forensic Science, 5th Ed. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall, 1994. Chapter 2
2. From the Encyclopedia of Forensic Sciences:
a.   The entire section headed by "Crime-Scene Investigation and Examination (11 Articles)

Nov 7, 14

Physical Evidence: Classification
Readings:
1. Saferstein, Richard, Criminalistics, An Introduction to Forensic Science, 5th Ed. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall, 1994. Chapter 3
2. From the Encyclopedia of Forensic Sciences:
      a.   Freckelton; Evidence: Classification
      b.   Champod; Identification/Individualization: Overview and
            Meaning

Nov 21

Research Issues in Forensic Science
Readings:
1. Sensabaugh, George, Forensic Science Research: Who Does It And Where Is It Going? in Forensic Science, American Chemical Society, 1986, Chapter 11

Nov 28 and
Dec 5 Oral Presentations of Term Papers

Dec 14 Final Exam, 3:00-5:00 p.m.

SOME FORENSIC SCIENCE RESOURCES

Books

Saferstein, Richard, Forensic Science Handbook, Vol. I,II,III, Englewood, Cliffs, NJ:
Prentice-Hall

Gianelli, Paul and Imwinkelried, Edward, J., Scientific Evidence, 2nd Ed., Charlottesville, VA: the Michie Co., 1993.

Kind, Stuart S., The Scientific Investigation of Crime, Harrogate: Forensic Science Services, 1987.

Davies, Geoffrey, Ed. Forensic Science, 2nd. Ed, Washington, DC: American Chemical
Society, 1986

Journals

Forensic Science International, Lausanne: Elsivier Sequoia

Forensic Science Abstracts, Amsterdam: Exerpta Medica

Forensic Science Progress, Berlin: Springer-Verlag

Forensic Science Review, Taipei: Central Police University Press

Journal of Forensic Sciences, Philadelphia: American Academy of Forensic Sciences and American Society for Testing and Materials

Science and Justice, Harrogate: Forensic Science Society

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Aug 29	Introduction to the course and syllabus
Sept 5, 12	History, Development, Practice of Forensic Science; organization of crime laboratories Readings: 1. Siegel, Jay, History and Development of the Forensic Expert Witness in the courtroom; in Gerber, S. Ed. Moore Chemistry and Crime, American Chemical Society, 1997. 2. Havard, John, A Historical and Comparative Review of the Reception of Forensic Medical and Scientific Evidence Under Different Systems of Law, Forensic Science Review, 3(1), 1991, 30. 3. Peterson, Joseph, Mihajilovic, Steven and Bedrosian Joanne, The Capabilities, Uses, and Effects of the Nation's Criminalistics Laboratories, J. Forensic Sciences, 32(6): 1987, 1730 4. From the Encyclopedia of Forensic Sciences: a. Thompson and Smith; Administration of Forensic Science: An international Perspective b. Tilstone; Administration of Forensic Science: Organization of Laboratories c. Gaudette; Basic Principles of Forensic Science d. Gialamas; Criminalistics e. Wielbo; History: Forensic Sciences
Sept 19, 26	Ethical Issues in Forensic Science: Quality Control and Quality Assurance Readings: 1. Midwestern Association of Forensic Scientists - Code of Ethics, April, 1995 2. Peterson, Joseph, Ethical Issues in Collection, Examination and Use of Physical Evidence: in Forensic Science, American Chemical Society, 1986, Chapter 4 3. Frankel, Mark, Ethics and the Forensic Sciences: Professional Autonomy in the Criminal Justice System, J. Forensic Sciences, 34(3): 1989 763 4. Saks, Michael, Prevalence and Impact of Ethical Problems in Forensic Sciences, 343(3), 1989 772 5. Expert Witnesses on Trial, Chicago Sun-Times, March 8, 1987 Peterson, J. and Murdock, J., Forensic Science Ethics: Developing an Integrated System of support and Enforcement, J. Forensic Sciences, 34(3), 1989, 749 6. From the Encyclopedia of Forensic Sciences: a. Smith, Kidwell; Accreditation of Forensic Science Lab b. Longhetti; Education: An International Perspective c. Weinstock, Silva; Ethics d. Tilstone; Quality Assurance: QA/QC
Oct 3	No Class
Oct 10, 24	Laboratory Management and Practices Readings: 1. Siegel, Jay, Science and Law in the Courtroom: Two Ships Passing in the Night?, Focus on Law Studies, XI(1), 1995, 6 2. Executive Summary - Report on the FBI Laboratory, Office of the Inspector General of The Department of Justice, April, 1997. Can be found on the Web at: http://www.usdoj.gov/oig/fbilab1/00exesum.htm 3. The Role of Forensic Science Evidence in Criminal Proceedings, Chapters 4 and 5, The Royal Commission on Criminal Justice, Research Study No. 11, 1993 4. Havard, John, Expert Scientific Evidence under the Adversarial System. A Travesty of Justice?, J. Forensic Science Soc., 32(3), 1992, 225 5. Hand, Learned, Historical and Practical Considerations Regarding Expert Testimony, Harvard Law Review, 15, 1902, 40
Oct 17	MAFS - No Class
Oct 31	Physical Evidence: Collection, Preservation, Chain of Custody Readings: 1. Saferstein, Richard, Criminalistics, An Introduction to Forensic Science, 5th Ed. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall, 1994. Chapter 2 2. From the Encyclopedia of Forensic Sciences: a. The entire section headed by "Crime-Scene Investigation and Examination (11 Articles)
Nov 7, 14	Physical Evidence: Classification Readings: 1. Saferstein, Richard, Criminalistics, An Introduction to Forensic Science, 5th Ed. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall, 1994. Chapter 3 2. From the Encyclopedia of Forensic Sciences: a. Freckelton; Evidence: Classification b. Champod; Identification/Individualization: Overview and Meaning
Nov 21	Research Issues in Forensic Science Readings: 1. Sensabaugh, George, Forensic Science Research: Who Does It And Where Is It Going? in Forensic Science, American Chemical Society, 1986, Chapter 11
Nov 28 and Dec 5	Oral Presentations of Term Papers
Dec 14	Final Exam, 3:00-5:00 p.m.