instructions:Guidelines for Report Component ( worth 20%)The report may be based on articles from The Journal of Forensic Sciences, from well known
Cases/Case Studies or DVD’s presented in class, and will be evaluated for Content, Critical
Analysis and Writing.
The report is not to be presented in point form. It will be an evaluation of a topic in Forensic
science and will reflect the student’s ability to discuss a problem or case based on scientific
evidence, the scientific tools used, and summarize and integrate the material in a logical manner.
Students will be assessed for a clear, lucid writing style.
Students should clearly identify and explain:
– the forensic problem/case that needs to be solved
– the various methods and solutions that were used to approach the problem
– the relevant scientific concepts
– the broader social and legal context
Essay/ Report Guidelines:
The following sections need to be considered:
1. Introduction: In this section, the student clearly identifies the case/ forensic problem to
be solved and includes a rationale for why the problem is of interest and relevance to
course. The topic should be in the spectrum of Forensic Science and may include areas in
Forensic Chemistry, Forensic Anthropology, Forensic Psychology, Forensic Entomology,
Forensic Biology, Forensic Odontology, Forensic Toxicology, Pathology etc.
2. Science and Methods Used: The student presents the analysis of evidence using the
scientific tools and science concepts discussed in the course or relevant to the subject
matter in Forensic Science.
3. Evaluation of the methods used: Are/Were the results accurate and adequate? What
are/were the limitations?
4. Societal Impacts and Legal Ramifications. Examples may include landmark findings such
as the David Milgaard case, the wrongful conviction of Guy Paul Morin, Steven Truscott
case, Shaken Baby Syndrome etc.
5. Conclusion: students are expected to synthesize the material and summarize the case
covering the Science and Societal Impact.
6. Bibliography: This will be one page and should include the references cited. The reference
citation should include the author, title, source and date of publication and correct page numbers.
Use the same format for all the references cited for consistency. No more than 10 references
need to be included.
The individual reportsshould be approximately 1,000-1200 words, double-spaced, have a title page
on the first page and with appropriate titles and subtitles in the appropriate sections of the report. Reports
that contain an excessive number of spelling and grammatical errors or inadequate number of footnotes
will be accordingly penalized.
Evaluation will be based on how well all these elements are presented and on how well students
marshal the forensic evidence and use the science they have learned in the course. A concise and
clear writing style is especially critical.
Examples of possible case study topics may include:
 Use of Hair Analysis in Solving a Crime/ Animal Hair as Forensic Evidence. The
analysis of hair largely deals with its structure and chemical characteristics. Hair is hardy
and survives for long periods, even after bodies decompose.
 The importance of Bite Mark evidence in the conviction of Ted Bundy – Forensic
Odontology: Pivotal evidence at the trial matched a bite mark found on the left buttock of
the murdered student, Lisa Levy, with the outline of Ted Bundy’s front teeth.
 Forensic Entomology in Estimation of time of death. Plant and insect evidence can
reveal the time of death and link a suspect to the crime scene.
 Tracing Explosives. Students will learn about oxidizing and reducing agents in chemistry
and their role involved in explosions. A case example could be the bombing of Pan Am
flight 103 in 1988, in which 270 people were killed.
 DNA- The Indispensable Forensic Tool. Blood and DNA analysis can positively identify
a suspect. DNA and dental pattern records can be used to identify an identified corpse.
 http://www.testcountry.org/proven-innocent-cases-of-exoneration-through-dnatesting.htm
Some Pointers….
 This essay/report can roughly be divided into 4 parts and should be typewritten, double
spaced, between 6-10 pages-no more than 10 pages!
 The first part will be the Introduction where the problem/case is identified and defined as
such.
A Rationale- why you are interested in this problem is crucial. The reasoning should have
some basis in that you should indicate why/how the methods you present are superior in
terms of an actual advantage . For example, if you are revisiting an old murder case say 20
years ago, you could perhaps identify what scientific tools you would use today to solve
that crime that would lend itself to a superior analysis. This part can be about half to one
page. There are case studies in your text that you could use as a resource for developing
your report.
 Part 2 will cover the Science and the Forensic Science tools employed . This will constitute
a major body of your essay. For example if you used Chromatography in a toxicological
finding associated with your case, you must explain in some length ( a page or two will
suffice) -the science and principle of the methodology. Likewise, if DNA evidence is
presented, identify key science concepts/methods used and explain as you would to a non
science/lay reader. If you used a radioimmunoassay method to identify a drug be sure to
explain what that is in your report. Examples are good. Case studies can also be used.
Again, if discussing finger prints, then developing a latent fingerprint on a surface by
applying a fingerprint powder with a fiber glass brush or using an UV imaging system to
search for latent finger prints would be techniques that can be identified. Document
examination, Bullet comparisons, testing for tool marks and impressions, gunpowder
deposits etc.. and other types of evidence can be presented and discussed in the essay. You
may use the text book as a resource for ideas, but do not copy verbatim the content.. (there
are references at the end of each chapter that will be helpful) . If quoting from sources, place
in “ ….” And include the source in bracket/cite the reference in bibliography. A few
pictures can be used for illustrative purposes, but do not clutter report with images!
 I will place the Recommended Reading Text “Molecules of Murder” which includes several
cases in the circulation desk of thre library for an overnight loan period. You may find ideas
there for a topic.
 Part 3 will cover Societal Impact and Legal implications.
This part can be addressed along with the discussion in part 2 or separately. For example, which
ethnic group or age group a certain type of crime appears to have recurred, whether it is a drug case,
homicide, suicide etc can also be identified here. You can use flow charts, box diagrams, and use
any relevant findings from current literature. The choice of topic is important. An abstract (no more
than 10 lines) about the topic can be submitted along with the essay. This is optional but is useful in
construction of your report.
 If an older topic is covered, try to include at least one new aspect related to the
problem/issue you are discussing.
 Part 4 will be the Bibliography. This will be one page and should include the references
cited. Whatever format ( APA/MLA/Chicago Style) make sure you use the same format for
all the references cited. For example if you include the author followed by Journal, followed
by Year , Volume and Page, keep the pattern consistent for all the references. No more than
10 references need to be included. Likewise, if you decide to put the Journal in Italics and
the year in Bold incorporate the same pattern for the rest of the references. Make sure that
you reference your report appropriately from the references cited in the bibliography.
The assessment criteria are given below:
Introduction/Rationale: 5 marks
Science/Methods Used: 10 marks
Discussion/Societal Impact/Legal Ramifications: 8 marks
Bibliography: 7 marks
Total: 30 marks