Poster Presentations:Forensic Methods 60 points Due Tuesday, May 2^nd 10:30 A.M.

Forensic methods to help reconstruct crimes and catch criminals have been continuously developed for more than a century. Old methods such as fingerprint analysis are continuously upgraded by new techniques such as latent fingerprint revelation by various chemicals. New methods are also being developed such as DNA analysis to give the investigator better tools with which to work.

In this project you will research a forensic method that we have not covered in class in order to: 1) extend your exposure of forensic methods 2) apply your understanding of the advantages and limitations of methods we have covered in class to other methods 3) gain a better understanding of how different methods are useful in reconstructing crimes and catching criminals.

POSTER CONTENT:

You will address the following questions in your poster:

1) How does this method work? (Describe the method.)

2) What are the advantages of this method? How does it replace or complement other forensic methods?

3) What are the limitations of this method? What are the admissibility issues related to this method in court cases?

4) Give an example of an application of this method in a real (or virtual) investigation.

5) What were your references and resources?

SUGGESTED TOPICS:

Examples from the textbook and other sources:

The course webpage has articles and links on some of these:

http://domin.dom.edu/faculty/jbfriesen/nsc260.htm

Forensic anthropology

Forensic entomology

Forensic dentistry (bite marks)

Using dogs to track scents.

Finding cyber criminals

Neutron Activation Analysis of metals

Art forgery

Firearms identification

Tool marks

Sound spectrography

Poroscopy (a cousin of fingerprinting)

Biometrics à face scanning

Using lasers to reveal latent fingerprints

Identifying counterfeit currency

Handwriting analysis

Polygraph

FRIENDLY ADVICE

1. Make up an interesting and informative title such as

“Your voice gave you away:” A look at forensic sound spectrography.

2. Answers to the questions should be clearly presented in a fashion that captures the attention of the reader, presents information clearly and concisely, and provides a coherent organization.

3. Too many words bog down the presentation. Too few words don’t give enough information.

4. Use the space well; fill it up without cluttering it up.

5. Arrangement of your material, appropriate figures, titles, concise statements are all features that you need to consider for a quality presentation.

6. Feel free to attach objects to your poster to make it more three-dimensional.

7. Reference pictures downloaded from the internet

GRADING

Your poster will be evaluated by the 3 other students in the class as well as the instructor.

EVALUATION SHEET: FORENSIC METHODS

Content topics	Total Points Available	Comments	Total Points Given
Title	5
How does this method work? (Describe the method.)	10
What are the advantages of this method? How does it replace or complement other methods?	10
What are the limitations of this method? What are the admissibility issues related to this method in court cases?	10
Give an example of an application of this method in a real (or virtual) investigation.	10
References and resources	5
Overall quality · Attractiveness · Ingenuity · Appropriate figures	10
Total	60