Hello and Welcome to Forensics,

I am thrilled that you are interested in "Examining the Evidence" workshop and I would like to take a few minutes to explain who I am and what my plans are for the workshop. More specifics will follow as I contact each of you individually.

I have been teaching science for a number of years and as of late have been incorporating forensic information into my biology and anatomy classes. About 10 years ago I started teaching a separate forensics class, partly to meet the demand for another elective and partly because it was a growing interest of mine. The results have been very positive. My suspicion that forensics is becoming a hot topic has been confirmed each time I have presented at the NSTA conference. The rooms were packed with teachers interested in both the subject matter as well as finding out how they could incorporate forensics into their curriculum. Such was the stimulus for this workshop.

My hope is that this workshop will provide you with an opportunity to become more familiar with the content of forensics as well as allow you to have a hands-on experience as you conduct some of the labs. Equally important will be our discussions as to how this material can be integrated into an (your) existing science curriculum as well as how you might establish a separate forensics course. A word of caution is necessary at this point. You should not be deluded into thinking that at the close of the week's workshop you will know all there is about forensics, because you won't. Instead of thinking of this workshop as an all-you-can-eat feast, think of it more like a modest buffet where you will have the opportunity to sample a variety of foods. You will then have to decide what you like and if you'll go back for more.

The schedule for the week is somewhat flexible, as it is a work in progress. I am trying to schedule guest speakers and field trips that will provide opportunities for you to witness how forensics is used in the real world. In addition to our discussions and lab activities, I have many videos that we can view. There are even some "regular" movie theater movies that have a forensics component that we may choose to watch as an evening activity.

All work and no play, especially in Bar Harbor, is just plain silly, and my mother didn't raise me to be silly. To that end I plan to use late afternoons to recreate, either biking (road&/or trail), hiking, kayaking, walking or... You should also. There are many bike rental shops in town and you can get a 2 week rental for about $150 or so. I ship my bike UPS for about $30 each way and your local bike shop can help you with this. We can exchange interests when we talk.

Please contact me at your earliest convenience as it might take us some time before we actually speak voice to voice. Email and fax will help and so I've included the necessary information. One way or another, we will need to "chat" before the July kickoff so that I can find out about your interests and expectations and you can get answers to your questions.

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Howard Schindler
email: hschindler@stpaulsschool.org
fax: 410-427-0388 work: 410-821-3031 home: 410-828-1299

 Examining the Evidence Syllabus

Examining the Evidence: Your Classroom as a Crime Lab
Howard Schindler: M.S., Education, Johns Hopkins University, B.S.E., School Health Education, SUNY at Cortland. Schindler teaches forensics, health, biology and human anatomy and physiology at St. Paul's School in Brooklandville, Maryland and forensics at Villa Julie College in Stevenson, Maryland.

Course Overview
Forensic science is the application of science to those criminal and civil laws that are enforced by police agencies in a criminal justice system. Specifically, forensic science deals with the analysis of evidence. This interdisciplinary course will serve as an introduction to the incorporation of forensics into middle and high school science curriculum. The major areas of science will be used in determining the evidentiary value of crime-scene and related evidence. Use of the scientific method will be key and lab activities will accompany each topic. Time will be devoted to discussing the practical aspects of using crime scenes/forensics as a teaching tool. Included will be the logistics of setting-up "crime scenes" in the classroom, as well as the discussion of ideas for implementing the material presented. Workshop participants will have an opportunity to modify one of their own lesson plans (brought with them to the workshop) incorporating the workshop material.

Field trips and/or guest speakers will be scheduled if possible.

Required Texts (to be read before the workshop)
Crime Scene, Larry Ragle, Avon Books, ISBN #0-380-77379-1
Will provide the reader with an introduction to the field of forensic investigation.
Should be available at local bookstores such as Borders, Barnes and Noble, Amazon.com (True Crime section).
Bone Collector, Jeffrey Deaver, Penguin Putman Books, ISBN # 0451188454
Story of serial killer that leaves forensic clues at each murder scene, that if analyzed correctly and quickly enough, will allow the next victim to be saved. Includes a great deal of forensic science.

Each participant should plan on developing a "forensics" lesson that they will share with the group at the end of the workshop.  Some time will be available to work on the lesson during the two weeks.  A laptop computer would be wonderful to have as each participant will receive and use a resource CD loaded with activities, references and labs geared to teaching a forensics class.

Examining The Evidence Daily Schedule

Week 1
Day 1                                                        
a.m   Introduction/History, Forensic & the Scientific Method, Eyewitness Testimony
p.m.  Crime Scene Investigation,  Evening movie                                                       

Day 2                                                          
a.m   Fingerprints (Lab)
p.m.  DNA Introduction (Paper lab)                               

Day 3                                                       
a.m.  DNA  Jackson Lab visit    
p.m.  DNA Gel; CSI Game,  Evening movie

Day 4                                                             
a.m.   Officer Steve McFarland, Poly-light, tire tracks.....                                                     
p.m.   Fiber Analysis, "The Case of the Red Fiber" (Lab) Evening movie

Day 5                                                                      
a.m.     Hair and Trace Evidence (Lab)                                                          
p.m.     Slime #9 / Deathboat                                                        

Week 2
Day 1                                                  
a.m  Forensics Anthropology/Pathology
p.m. Sherlock Bones/Forensic Entomology (Lab), Evening movie

Day 2
a.m.  John Morse: Arson Investigation
p.m.  Serology & Blood Spatter Analysis (Lab)

Day 4
a.m.  Forensics in the Classroom/Courtroom, D.A. Mike Povich
p.m.  Ballistics & Firearm Examination (Lab)

Day 5
a.m.   Sharing of lesson plan/activity; "So what are you going to take home?",  Evaluation
p.m.   Open

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