Forensic Science: Chapter Guide

Forensic Science Textbook Overview

Students will primarily be using the Bertino and Bertion Forensic Science textbook (3rd Edition). They will have access to the hard copy of this resource in the classroom along with digital resources that comes with it, including the eBook. The digital resources can be accessed through the Schoology platform.

The purpose of this website is to comply with "Senate Bill 704" by proactively providing parents and students with an overview of the topics addressed in each chapter of the textbook and some "end of chapter activity summaries" that we may utilize through out the school year. At times, additional resources may be used outside of this textbook to help students meet specific West Virginia science standards. Those resources will be posted here and/or on Schoology. Furthermore, students may not complete all of the activities listed within this overview, some activities may be omitted due to time, science standard requirements, or cost of specific lab supplies.

I hope this helps all parents and students have a better understanding of what to expect in our Forensic Science class this school year. If you have any questions, please message me on Schoology.

Mrs. Bryant

Bertino, A. J., & Bertino, P. (2020). Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations (Forensic Science, Fundamentals and Investigations) (3rd ed.). Cengage Learning.

Chapter Topics and Related Science Standards

Ch 4: Fiber Analysis

Standards Covered: S.HS.FS.1* S.HS.FS.17* S.HS.FS.19*

Ch 5: Forensic Botany

Standards Covered: S.HS.FS.1* S.HS.FS.17* S.HS.FS.19*

Ch 6: Fingerprints

Standards Covered: S.HS.FS.1* S.HS.FS.5* S.HS.FS.6* S.HS.FS.17* S.HS.FS.18* S.HS.FS.19*

Ch 10: Handwriting Analysis, Forgery, and Counterfeiting

Standards Covered: S.HS.FS.1* S.HS.FS.17* S.HS.FS.19*

Ch 11: Forensic Entomology

Standards Covered: S.HS.FS.10* S.HS.FS.17* S.HS.FS.19*

Ch 12: Death: Manner, Mechanism, Cause

Standards Covered: S.HS.FS.19* S.HS.FS.17*

Ch 13: Soil Evidence

Standards Covered: S.HS.FS.1* S.HS.FS.14* S.HS.FS.15* S.HS.FS.17* S.HS.FS.19*

Ch 14: Forensic Anthropology

Standards Covered: S.HS.FS.11* S.HS.FS.17* S.HS.FS.19*

Ch 15: Glass Evidence

Standards Covered: S.HS.FS.1* S.HS.FS.17* S.HS.FS.19*

Ch 16: Casts and Impressions

Standards Covered: S.HS.FS.1* S.HS.FS.17* S.HS.FS.19*

Ch 17: Tool Marks

Standards Covered: S.HS.FS.1* S.HS.FS.17* S.HS.FS.19*

Ch 18: Firearms and Ballistics

Standards Covered: S.HS.FS.1* S.HS.FS.16* S.HS.FS.17* S.HS.FS.19*

Engineering and Design Standards

WV: S.HS.ETS.1

Students will analyze a major global challenge to specify qualitative and quantitative criteria and constraints for solutions that account for societal needs and wants.

NGSS Crosswalk:

Analyze a major global challenge to specify qualitative and quantitative criteria and constraints for solutions that account for societal needs and wants.

WV: S.HS.ETS.2

Students will design a solution to a complex real-world problem by breaking it down into smaller, more manageable problems that can be solved through engineering.

NGSS Crosswalk:

Design a solution to a complex real-world problem by breaking it down into smaller, more manageable problems that can be solved through engineering.

WV: S.HS.ETS.3

Students will evaluate a solution to a complex real-world problem based on prioritized criteria and trade-offs that account for a range of constraints, including cost, safety, reliability, and aesthetics, as well as possible social, cultural, and environmental impacts.

NGSS Crosswalk:

Evaluate a solution to a complex real-world problem based on prioritized criteria and trade-offs that account for a range of constraints, including cost, safety, reliability, and aesthetics as well as possible social, cultural, and environmental impacts.

WV: S.HS.ETS.4

Students will use a computer simulation to model the impact of proposed solutions to a complex real-world problem with numerous criteria and constraints on interactions within and between systems relevant to the problem.

NGSS Crosswalk:

Use a computer simulation to model the impact of proposed solutions to a complex real-world problem with numerous criteria and constraints on interactions within and between systems relevant to the problem.

Additional Unit Topics

S.HS.FS.9: Students will discuss and cite evidence of biological and chemical hazards and their impact on society and the environment:

Arson, Bombs, Bioterrorism, Environmental Terrorism

S.HS.FS.13: Students will investigate forensic applications of chromatography: inks and dyes, cosmetics, calculation of Rf values

S.HS.FS.17: Students will investigate and analyze forensic evidence utilizing optical and acoustical applications

S.HS.FS.18: Students will utilize biometric techniques for forensic science investigations: prints, recognition scans, anthropometry

Forensic Science: Chapter Guide

Forensic Science Textbook Overview

Chapter Topics and Related Science Standards

Ch 1: Forensic Science and Observation

Ch 2: Crime-Scene Investigation and Evidence Collection

Ch 3: Hair Analysis

Ch 4: Fiber Analysis

Ch 5: Forensic Botany

Ch 6: Fingerprints

Ch 7: DNA Profiling

Ch 8: Blood and Blood Splatter

Ch 9: Forensic Toxicology

Ch 10: Handwriting Analysis, Forgery, and Counterfeiting

Ch 11: Forensic Entomology

Ch 12: Death: Manner, Mechanism, Cause

Ch 13: Soil Evidence

Ch 14: Forensic Anthropology

Ch 15: Glass Evidence

Ch 16: Casts and Impressions

Ch 17: Tool Marks

Ch 18: Firearms and Ballistics

Engineering and Design Standards

WV: S.HS.ETS.1

NGSS Crosswalk:

WV: S.HS.ETS.2

NGSS Crosswalk:

WV: S.HS.ETS.3

NGSS Crosswalk:

WV: S.HS.ETS.4

NGSS Crosswalk:

Additional Unit Topics