Planned Course for Forensic Science
Board Approved April 2019
SOUTHERN LEHIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT
5775 Main Street
Center Valley, PA 18034
Planned Course for Science
Course: Forensic Science
Standards:
This course is aligned to standards within the following categories of the Pennsylvania Academic
Standards for Science and Technology and Engineering Education:
3.1 Biological Sciences
3.2 Physical Sciences: Chemistry and Physics
Course Description:
The K-12 science program within Southern Lehigh School District will foster the development
of scientific thinking and logical reasoning. A rigorous curriculum will provide opportunities for
students to learn how to ask questions and define problems in order to plan and carry out
investigations. Students will be challenged to construct explanations and design solutions
through collaborative experiences where they engage in arguments that are based on evidence.
Teachers will provide students with hands-on and authentic experiences aligned to a coherent
progression of learning.
FORENSIC SCIENCE will provide an introduction to criminalistics and forensics, including
topics such as: fingerprints; DNA analysis; fiber and hair analysis; ballistics; document and
handwriting analysis; drugs and toxicology; analysis of human (including skeletal) remains; and
evidence from blood and other bodily fluids. This course will allow student to apply topics
learned in biology and chemistry. It will include case studies and examination of reproduced
evidence from actual crimes as well as laboratory analysis of evidence gathered at simulated
crime scenes.
Prerequisite(s):
• Successful completion of a Biology course; AND
• Successful completion of a Chemistry course
Measurable objectives to be attained by students:
Specific objectives for this course are aligned to the Next Generation Science Standards, the
Pennsylvania Academic Standards for Science and Technology and Engineering Education, the
Pennsylvania Core Standards for Reading and Writing in Science and the Technical Subjects,
and Southern Lehigh School District Learning Targets for Forensic Science as outlined in the
Scope and Sequence for Forensic Science.
Planned Course for Forensic Science
Board Approved April 2019
Instructional Strategies:
A science program demands the use of a variety of instructional strategies to foster scientific
thinking. Below is a list of suggested strategies for high-quality instruction:
• Instructional components outlined in
the Framework for Teaching by
Charlotte Danielson
• Hands-on learning
• Posing questions for investigation
• Cooperative learning and collaboration
• Inquiry, engineering, and design
Estimated Instructional Time:
77 minutes per day on an alternating A/B block schedule for one school year
Forms of Assessment to Measure Attainment of Course Objectives:
• Summative Assessments
• Performance-Based Assessments
Resources:
Student Text Resources:
Bertino, Anthony J., and Patricia Nolan Bertino. Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations. South-
Western Cengage Learning, 2016.
• Student Edition Printed Version
• Student Edition Online Version
Teacher Resources:
Bertino, Anthony J., and Patricia Nolan Bertino. Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations. South-
Western Cengage Learning, 2016.
• Teacher Edition Printed Version with Online Access
Technology:
District approved supplemental technology
Other Resources:
Teacher created resources
District approved supplemental resources and labs