Maricopa Community Colleges  AJS280   19996-20015 
Official Course Description:   MCCCD Approval:  06/22/99
AJS280      19996-20015 L+L 3 Credit(s) 3 Period(s)
Crime Laboratory
Practical experience in use of forensic laboratory equipment and chemical processes. Focuses on the technology and methodology of crime scene investigation. Students ride along with a professional crime scene investigator, view testimony by an expert witness, and participate in a mock trial. Prerequisites: AJS213 or AJS214 or AJS215 or AJS216 or AJS290BN or permission of instructor.
 
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MCCCD Official Course Competencies:
 
AJS280   19996-20015 Crime Laboratory
1. Identify the type of equipment and supplies required to conduct laboratory experiments. (I)
2. Identify and describe the equipment and processes involved in setting up a variety of laboratory experiments.(I,II,IV)
3. Explain the significance of physical evidence and describe how to evaluate and determine what is physical evidence at a crime scene.(II)
4. Demonstrate the proper techniques for crime scene note taking and sketching.(II)
5. Describe and use safety guidelines to ensure personal safety and protection with-in the laboratory.(III)
6. Demonstrate proper handling of evidence and ethical understanding of the chain of custody.(III)
7. Demonstrate effective and efficient preparation of evidence for examination and analysis.(IV)
8. Demonstrate laboratory protocol in working with evidence that has been destroyed or contaminated.(V)
9. Determine more effective ways of packaging evidence and use proper techniques to report improperly packaged evidence.(V)
10. Use proper techniques to prepare conclusion reports.(VI,VII)
11. Demonstrate effective communication techniques for attorney interviews.(VI,VII)
12. Explain the methods for determining the admissibility of evidence.(VII)
13. Give testimony in a trial setting.(VII)
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MCCCD Official Course Outline:
 
AJS280   19996-20015 Crime Laboratory
    I. Introduction
        A. Overview of forensic laboratory equipment and processes
        B. Setting up laboratory experiments
        C. Preparing equipment and supplies
      II. Physical Evidence
          A. Design and set-up a mock crime scene
            1. Prepare notes
            2. Prepare sketch
            3. Prepare reports
          B. Evaluate and determine what is physical evidence
          C. Design and set-up laboratory experiments
        III. Laboratory Procedures
            A. Safety guidelines
            B. Bloodborne pathogens
            C. Chain of custody
          IV. Preparation of Physical Evidence in the Laboratory
              A. Precautions
              B. Preparation of evidence for examination and analysis
              C. Processing and examination of evidence
            V. Physical Evidence Protocol
                A. Techniques for working with evidence that has been destroyed
                B. Determining more effective methods of packaging evidence
                C. Reporting on packaged evidence
              VI. Reporting Laboratory Conclusions
                  A. Preparing written notes and reports
                  B. Preparing for court room testimony
                VII. Presentation of Mock Crime Scene in Court
                    A. Preparing the case for court
                    B. Preparing for direct and cross-examination
                    C. Admissibility
                    D. Participating in the mock trial
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