Maricopa Community Colleges  AJS215   19956-20005 
Official Course Description:   MCCCD Approval:  04/25/95  
AJS215      19956-20005 LEC 3 Credit(s) 3 Period(s)
Criminalistics: Physical Evidence
The scientific analysis and examination of physical evidence with emphasis on scientific investigation, recognition, collection, and preservation of evidence. Fingerprints, shoe prints, tool marks, firearms identification, paint chips and arson. Prerequisites: None.
 
 Go to Competencies    Go to Outline
 
MCCCD Official Course Competencies:
 
AJS215   19956-20005 Criminalistics: Physical Evidence
1. Describe the history and scope of forensic science. (I)
2. Describe the organization and services of a crime laboratory. (I)
3. Describe the functions of the forensic scientist. (I)
4. Describe the various kinds of microscopes. (II)
5. Identify common types of physical evidence. (III)
6. Collect and preserve evidence. (III)
7. Describe the physical properties of paint, soils, and glass. (IV)
8. Define the terms "elements" and "compounds". (V)
9. Use the proper analytical techniques for chromatography, spectrophotometry, and mass spectrometry. (V)
10. Use the emission spectrograph for inorganic analysis. (VI)
11. Describe the chemistry of fire. (VII)
12. Describe the history of fingerprinting. (VIII)
13. Use the Henry System to classify fingerprints. (VIII)
14. Analyze firearms for bullet comparisons, cartridge cases, gunpowder residues, and serial number restoration. (IX)
15. Analyze toolmarks. (IX)
16. Describe the various techniques used to analyze documents and examine voices. (X)
Go to Description    Go to top of Competencies
 
MCCCD Official Course Outline:
 
AJS215   19956-20005 Criminalistics: Physical Evidence
    I. History and scope of forensic science
        A. Definition of forensics
        B. History and development
        C. Organization of a crime laboratory
        D. Services of a crime laboratory
        E. Functions of a forensic scientist
      II. Microscope
          A. Kinds
          B. Uses
        III. Physical evidence
            A. Common types
            B. Searches for evidence
            C. Nature of physical evidence
          IV. Glass, paint, and soil
              A. Metric system
              B. Physical properties
              C. Forensic characteristics
                1. Paint
                2. Soil
                3. Glass
            V. Organic analysis
                A. Elements and compounds
                B. Proper analytical techniques
                  1. Chromatography
                  2. Spectrophotometry
                  3. Mass spectrometry
              VI. Inorganic analysis
                  A. Emission spectrum
                  B. Continuous spectrum
                  C. Line spectrum
                VII. Arson and explosive investigations
                    A. Chemistry of fire
                    B. Searching a fire scene
                    C. Flammable residues
                  VIII. Fingerprints
                      A. History of fingerprinting
                      B. Fundamental principles
                      C. Henry System
                      D. Computerized fingerprint search systems
                    IX. Firearms, tool marks, and other impressions
                        A. Bullet comparisons
                        B. Cartridge cases
                        C. Gunpowder residues
                        D. Serial number restoration
                        E. Toolmark analyzation
                      X. Document and voice examination
                          A. Document analyzation
                          B. Handwriting samples
                          C. Typewriting samples
                          D. Voice examination - sound spectrograph
                      Go to Description    Go to top of Competencies    Go to top of Outline