1. x All rights Reserved South-Western / Cengage Learning © 2012, 2009

2. DAY 1

3. Unit 1 Targets Define observation and describe what changes occur in the brain. Describe examples of factors influencing eyewitness accounts of events. Compare the reliability of eyewitness testimony to what actually happened. Relate observation skills to their use in forensic science. Practice and improve your own observation skills.

4. Unit 1 Targets Determine the independent, dependent, and controlled variables in sample scenarios. Write hypotheses that includes prior knowledge in their reasoning. Take measurements using the metric system. Convert units in the metric system

5. Quarter 1 Proficiencies I can write/evaluate a hypothesis for an investigation. I can design/evaluate a controlled, valid, and reproducible experiment. I can demonstrate that I make careful and detail observations through word descriptions, data, and drawings. I can evaluate/communicate if the data in an experiment support or refute the hypothesis.

6. Unit 1 Vocabulary analytical skills control variables deductive reasoning dependent variable eyewitness fact forensic hypothesis independent variable logic observation opinion perception

7. Introduction The forensic examiner must be able to 1. find—identify the evidence 2. document—record the evidence 3. interpret—accurately determine the significance of the evidence

8. What Is Observation? Our brains can filter out information. Point out some of the details in this photo.

9. What Is Observation? Our brains fill in gaps in our perception In order to make sense of what we perceive, our brains often enrich with detail what we see, taste, hear, smell, or feel After an event, we can believe things were part of the background even though they were not

10. What Is Observation? Our brains apply previous knowledge to new situations What assumptions can you make about this scene? How might those assumptions be wrong?

11. What Is Observation? How information is processed in the brain

12. Learning to See Picture #1

13. Learning to See #1 Qs 1.At what location was the photograph taken? Glenville Municipal Center 2.How many cars are pictured? 2 3.What color are the cars? Tan & gray 4.What types of offices are located in the building? Town, police and court offices 5.How many small trees are in the picture? 2 6.The photograph was taken New York State during which season? Spring or summer 7.How many people are in the photograph? None

14. Learning to See Picture #2

15. Learning To See #2 Qs 1.What is pictured in Photograph #2? Urn or pot 2.Describe the shape of the object pictured? Like a flowerpot 3.What are the colors of the object? Red, green, tan, blue, white brown 4.What color edged the top of the object? Blue 5.Upon what is the object displayed? A wooden chair 6.Describe or sketch the design on the object? See above 7.What is the approximate size of the object? ~12”-14” wide, ~ 16” tall

16. Learning To See Picture #3

17. Learning To See #3 Qs 1. How many people are in Photograph #3? One 2.What is the sex of the person in the picture? Female 3.What is the approximate age of the person in the photograph? 55 4.What color is the person’s hair? Blonde (dyed) 5.Does the person have long hair or short hair? Short 6.Does the person have any distinguishing features? Glasses? Yes

18. 7.Can you describe the person’s clothing? 8. Is the person wearing any jewelry? If so, describe it. Gold necklace and earrings 9. Can you describe where the picture was taken? School room or office –1.Based on evidence in the photograph, can you form a hypothesis about the person’s occupation? Teacher –2. Is it possible to identify the interests of the person based upon evidence in the room? Forensics and biology books imply this might be a science teacher. –3. Do you think it is easier to answer questions about a photograph if a person is in the picture? Yes because we can recognize familiar surroundings and situations.

19. Learning to See Discussion Qs 8. Did everyone answer the questions correctly? 9. If everyone viewed the same photograph, list some possible reasons why their answers differed.

20. Day 2

21. Observations by Witnesses Observations are affected by: 1.Their emotional states 2.Whether they were alone, part of a group, or near others 3.What type of and how much activity was going on around them

22. Eyewitness Accounts Crime-scene reports often vary, due to: – level of interest – stress – concentration – amount and kind of distractions present – prejudices – personal beliefs – motives – any lapse in time since the event

23. How to be a Good Observer Observe systematically Start at one part of a crime scene and run your eyes slowly over every space Look carefully at details of each piece of evidence Do not assume you will remember everything

24. How to be a Good Observer Turn off filters Consciously pay attention to all details Do not pay attention to just what you think is important All details are potentially important

25. How to be a Good Observer Collect Information first, interpret data later Look for patterns and make connections More information yields better interpretations Prejudices exist everywhere— – eyewitness accounts – your own thinking processes

26. How to be a Good Observer Documentation, Documentation, Documentation Write down and photograph as much information as possible Be aware that memory is faulty Remember that our brains tend to fill in gaps in our perceptions

27. Observations in Forensics Study situations Find clues in ordinary details Work backwards from the evidence to what led up to the crime Be patient Practice

28. Identifying Variables

29. 3 Kinds of Variables Independent Variable – something that is changed by the scientist –What is tested –What is manipulated

30. 3 Kinds of Variables Dependent Variable – something that might be affected by the change in the independent variable –What is observed –What is measured

31. 3 Kinds of Variables Controlled Variable – a variable that is not changed –Also called constants –Allow for a “fair test”

32. For Example:

33. An investigation was done with an electromagnetic system made from a battery and wire wrapped around a nail. Different sizes of nails were used. The number of paper clips the electromagnet could pick up was measured.

34. Independent variable: IV: Sizes of nails –These were changed by the scientist

35. Dependent variable: DV: Number of paper clips picked up –The number of paper clips observed and counted (measured)

36. Controlled variables: CV: Battery, wire, type of nail –None of these items were changed

37. White board practice in Groups of 2

38. The higher the temperature of water, the faster an egg will boil.

39. Independent variable – temperature of water Dependent variable – time to cook an egg Controlled variable – type of egg

40. White board practice #2

41. The temperature of water was measured at different depths of a pond.

42. Independent variable – depth of the water Dependent variable – temperature Controlled variable – pond, location

43. Day 5

44. The Innocence Project Barry C. Scheck and Peter J. Neufeld Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, Beginning in 1992, used DNA to examine post-conviction cases Faulty eyewitness identifications accounted for up to 87% of the wrongful convictions

45. .............. Summary.... The environment and our natural sensory filters affect our ability to observe Eyewitness reports can be correct, faulty, or a little of both Acquiring good observation skills takes practice and training

46. .................. Summary Forensic scientists: – Find and Document Evidence – Evaluate and Interpret – Provide expert testimony to courts

47. Metric System Units QuantityBase UnitSymbol Length Mass Time Volume meter gram second liter m g s L

48. Prefix Conversions 1. Find the difference between the exponents of the two prefixes. 2. Move the decimal that many places. To the left or right?

49. Metric Staircase 532 m = _______ km 0.532

50. Prefix Conversions mega-M10 6 deci-d10 -1 centi-c10 -2 milli-m10 -3 PrefixSymbolFactor micro-  10 -6 nano-n10 -9 pico-p10 -12 kilo-k10 3 move left move right

51. A. SI Prefix Conversions 1) 20 cm = ______________ m 2) 0.032 L = ______________ mL 3) 805 dm = ______________ km 0.2 0.0805 32

52. Odd units 1mL = 1 cm 3

53. Data Types Quantitative- data measured with a number value (ex. 32 cm) Qualitative- data measured with your senses (ex. dim vs bright)

54. Hypothesis Writing Format: When the Independent (manipulated) Variable is increased/decreased (pick one), then the Dependent (responding) Variable should increase/decrease (pick one). This is because explanation.

55. The farther a ball drops, the higher it will bounce. Design an investigation to test this hypothesis. –Identify the variables –What exactly will be changed? How will it be changed? –What exactly will be measured? How will it be measured?