CHEM 105: The Forensic Chemistry of CSI

Instructor: Dr. John Woolcock

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This web page was last updated on 04/23/2009

The final forensic fiction report is due Wednesday, April 29. 

The final exam is Tuesday, April 28 @ 12:30-2:30 PM.

You may write problem strategies for the correct answers to any ten (10) of the questions on exam #2. These can be done using the format: __________________ is the correct answer for question __________ because __________________________________. You will have a one  point added to your exam #2 score for each problem strategy, up to ten. This assignment should be turned in by Thursday, April 23 @ 5 PM. Brief answers to exam #2 are posted below. Your problem stratgies must answer all parts of each question and must be more than the brief answers. They must EXPLAIN WHY the answer is correct.

There is free tutoring by the ACS Student Affiliate Chapter members in Weyandt 128, M-R from 7-8 PM.

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Course Objectives

In this course you will be required to:

• Describe chemical concepts, apply chemical rules and solve chemical problems related to the characteristics of matter, the periodic table, scientific measurements, basic atomic theory and electron structure, ionic and covalent compounds, basic reactions, solutions, structure of covalent compounds and organic chemistry.

• Apply the basic concepts of chemistry to understand topics in forensic science including: examining a crime scene and collecting evidence, forensic analysis of drugs, fibers, glass, fingerprints, arson and other types of evidence. 

• Describe how forensic science is portrayed in fiction, compare that to the forensic science presented in the text and analyze how this is related to the CSI effect.

The primary text used for this course is J. Girard's Criminalistics: Forensic Science and Crime. The companion web site for this text contains Chapter Outcomes, Chapter Spotlight, Chemistry Review, Conversion Calculator, Crossword Puzzle, Flashcards, Glossary, Putting It All Together and Web Links.

Other optional texts include:

• M. Bishop's An Introduction to Chemistry which is a shareware introductory chemistry text. We will be using the Atoms-First Version.
• M. Johll's Investigating Chemistry The companion web site for this text contains Learning Objectives, Chemistry in Action, Animations, Flashcards, Web Links, Online Quizzes, Tools and Scenario-based Learning Tutorials.
• Investigating CSI edited by Donn Cortez.

General Notes on Submitting Problem Strategies

• If there are multiple items within an assigned problem, you must write a strategy for all parts of the problem. 
• A strategy should be similar to the worked out Examples provided within the chapter. For each problem I will provide a reference to tables or figures in the text, or your notes, that apply to the question. Therefore you must describe how you used that information to answer or solve the problem as part of the strategy.
• For calculation problems, you will be provided the final answer. So, for the problem strategy, you must show the steps required to obtain it. 

Course Information

CHEM 105 Syllabus

CHEM 105 Lecture Schedule (Revised 03/10/2009)

Guidelines for Fiction Report

"Who Are You?"

Sample Exam

Estimating Your Final Grade

Brief Answers to Exam 1

Brief Answers to Exam 2

Brief Answers to Exam 3

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Course Support

Learning Strategies for Introductory Chemistry Courses

Lecture: Learning Strategies

Lecture: Introduction to Forensic Science

Learning Objectives and Exercises for Introduction and Girard Chapter 1, Investigating the Crime Scene

Lecture for Girard Chapter 1

Activity: CSI Season 2 DVD Extras, The Crime Scene Field Kit

Learning Objectives and Exercises for Girard Chapter 2, Investigating and Processing Physical Evidence

Lecture for Girard Chapter 2

Activity: Blood Spatter Demonstration

Learning Objectives and Exercises for Girard Chapter 3, Physical Properties: Forensic Characterization of Soil

Lecture for Girard Chapter 3

Activity: Problem Solving

Learning Objectives and Exercises for Girard Chapter 5, Forensic Analysis of Glass

Lecture for Girard Chapter 5

Activity: CSI LV Episode 102, I-15 Murders

Learning Objectives and Exercises for Girard Chapter 4, The Microscope and Forensic Identification of Hair and Fibers

Lecture for Girard Chapter 4

Activity: CSI NY Episode 104, American Dreamers

Learning Objectives and Exercises for Girard Chapter 9, Inorganic Analysis: Forensic Determination of Metals and Gunshot Residue

Lecture for Girard Chapter 9, Part 1

Lecture for Girard Chapter 9, Part 2

Activity: Classification of Matter

Classification of Matter Activity Answers

Activity: Periodic Table Outline

Learning Objectives and Exercises for Chemical Compounds

Lecture for Chemical Compounds

Lewis Structure Activity

Drawing Lewis Structures and Determining of Molecular Geometry by VSEPR

Table of VSEPR Geometries

Tables of Ions

Periodic Table of the Elements

List of Elements

Learning Objectives and Exercises for Organic Chemistry

Lecture for Organic Chemistry

Learning Objectives and Exercises for Girard Chapter 10, Arson

Lecture for Girard Chapter 10

Activity: CSI LV Episode 419, Bad Words

Learning Objectives and Exercises for Girard Chapter 11 & 12, Drugs of Abuse & Toxicology

Lecture for Girard Chapter 11 & 12, Part 1: Drugs of Abuse & Toxicology

Lecture for Girard Chapter 11 & 12, Part 2: Drugs of Abuse & Toxicology

Activity: CSI Miami Episode 107, Breathless

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Forensic Web Links