Rivera Early College High School

Criminal Justice Department

Forensic Science
Mrs. Patricia G. Torres
Room: F225
Conference Period: 2nd period
Phone #: (956) 698-3147
E-mail: pgtorres@bisd.us

Course Description
Forensic Science is a course that uses a structured and scientific approach to the
investigation of crimes of assault, abuse and neglect, domestic violence, accidental
death, homicide, and the psychology of criminal behavior.
Texas Education Agency
Overall Course Objectives
Students will learn terminology and investigative procedures related to crime
scene, questioning, interviewing, criminal behavior characteristics, truth
detection, and scientific procedures used to solve crimes.
Using scientific methods, students will collect and analyze evidence through case
studies and simulated crime scenes such as fingerprint analysis, ballistics, and
blood spatter analysis.
Students will learn the history, legal aspects, and career options for forensic
science.

Textbook:
Saferstein, Richard. Forensic Science: An Introduciton. New York, NY: Pearson
Education,Inc. , 2017. Print.

Classroom Rules/Expectations
1. Be prompt, prepared, and participate.
2. Stay on task at all times.
3. Keep your hands to yourself at all times.
4. No foul language.
5. No electronic devices.
6. No food in the classroom.
7. Dress appropriately.
8. Obey all school rules (see Student Handbook)
9. Be polite. Golden Rule: Treat others as you want to be treated.

Lab Rules/Expectations
1. Listen to all directions.
2. Stay at your assigned seat unless directed otherwise.
3. Prepare for lab by reading the pre-lab section beforehand.
4. Never eat or drink while conducting a lab.
5. Keep your area and lab equipment clean and organized.
6. Backpacks/belongings will be placed in the front of the classroom.
 7. Stay safe. Wear appropriate lab gear.
8. Handle lab equipment with precaution.

Grading Procedures
A minimum of 5 minor and 3 major grades per six weeks will be posted. Grades
will be determined accordingly:
Average of Daily Work: 33.3%
Average of Tests: 66.7%
Make-Up Work
o Make-Up Work is allowed due to an excused absence only. Any lab,
quiz, or test missed due to an excused absence is to be made either
before school or during your lunch hour. It is strongly recommended
that you make up tests and labs as soon as possible after an excused
absence. This is extremely critical for labs since concepts learned
from the laboratory experience are often tested on that chapters test.
Retests
o You have 5 days (from the day the test was administered) to re-take a
test. The highest grade on re-tests will be no higher than a 70. You are
responsible for requesting to re-take a test.
o Fill out the Retest Request Form. This is to schedule your retest.
Homework
o Homework will be assigned periodically. You should always have your
homework turned in at the beginning of class. If you turn it in later,
even during the class period, you will get a late deduction. This means
you cant complete your late homework during class UNLESS
otherwise indicated.
o Late Work
5p point penalty to work that is turned in late (5 points per day,
up to 3 days)
o For the Early Birds
If you turn in a completed assignment/project three days early:
3 days early: 15 points extra credit
2 days early: 10 points extra credit
1 day early: 5 points extra credit
o Bonus
Early birds will get extra point on the assignment. Assignment
must be completely finished in order to get the extra points.
Testing
o Six weeks exams will be administered at the end of every marking
period. A midterm Exam will be administered at the end of the first
semester while a Final Exam at the end of the second semester. Each
exam counts as a six weeks grade. Therefore, it is imperative that you
study and take these exams.
o Backpacks/belongings will be placed in the front of the classroom.
Academic Dishonesty
o The penalty for cheating will be a zero for work involved. Cheating
also involves the use of electronic devices, books, or notes in any form
 being used during an examination without my permission. Retesting
will not be allowed in this situation. So please, study and ask
questions prior to the exams.
Projects
o Many of the assignments and projects in this class will be assigned as
group work and some will be individually completed. You are expected
to do your share of the work. If I observe that you are not doing your
share, you may be removed from your group and required to do the
project by yourself. Team work is very important!
Hall Passes
Passes will not be issued during the first and last 15 minutes of class.

Restroom Passes
Restroom passes will be limited. Please be considerate of the time you take, as
only one person can go at a time. No restroom passes will be issued during lecture.
Anyone who is tardy loses his/her restroom privileges.
If you are tardy you may not use the restroom pass that day.
Be on time!
Tardies
Please keep in mind that I do not tolerate tardies. An acceptable tardy must be
accompanied by a signed pass (i.e., teacher, administrator, or counselor). Only then will
a tardy not be counted against you. Tardies are cumulative.

Header
This is how you should complete any given assignment.

Example:

Mrs. Torres Jennifer Rosales

Forensic Science 18-August-2014
1st Period
Quiz #1: Chapter 1

Pocket Folder
Stay organized. You are expected to keep track of your own assignments, be prepared
for tests, and know important due dates. Maintain folder for reference throughout the
course.

Your folder should include the following:

Title Sheet
o Students name
1 pk markers
o Subject: Forensic Science
o Teachers Name 1 Antibacterial
1 canister of Clorox Be ready to
o Fall 2017/Spring 2018
wipes -work in pairs
Supplies Pocket folder with -work in groups
Pencils prongs -discuss in class
1 Composition
Pens (only blue/black ink) -present
notebook
 1 roll of napkins
1 box of Kleenex
1 pk Map Colors
1 box Crayons

I _______________________________understand what is expected of me in this course. I agree with the rules and
expectations of the course. _______________________________________________

Student Signature date