Standard 1
Detail the history and development of medical forensics.

1. Create a historical timeline.
   
2. Explore a variety of careers associated with medical forensics professions.
   
   • Crime laboratory analyst
   • Clinical laboratory technician
   • Microbiologist
   • Fingerprint analyst
   • Criminalist
   • Crime scene investigator
   • Phlebotomist
   • Forensic DNA analyst
   • Medicolegal death investigator
   • Toxicologist
   • Physical Scientist/Life Scientist
   • Pharmacologist
   • Geneticist
   • Medical examiner
   • Forensic anthropologist
   • Forensic entomologist
   • Forensic nurse
   • Forensic dentist

Standard 2
Discuss the organization of the crime laboratory and detail the functions it serves.

1. Discuss the federal programs established in the United States to investigate crimes.
   
   • Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives- ATF
   • Federal Bureau of Investigation- FBI
   • U.S. Postal Inspection Service
   • Drug Enforcement Administration- DEA
   • Secret Service
   • Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency- DPAA
   • Defense Forensics Science Center- DFSC
2. Describe the organization of the Utah forensic laboratory systems.
   

Standard 3
Describe the importance of physical evidence and observation.

1. Categorize the types of evidence.
   
   • Testimonial evidence
   • Eyewitness
   • Written statements
   • Physical evidence
   • Individual
   • Class
2. Discuss how evidence is used to connect suspect, victim, and the scene.
   
3. Review and practice the steps of becoming an accurate observer.
   
   • Observe systematically
   • Minimize bias
   • Document observations
   • Written
   • Visual
4. Physical evidence
   
   • Individual
   • Class
5. Discuss how evidence is used to convince a jury of guilt.
   
6. Review and practice the steps of becoming an accurate observer.
   
   • Observe systematically
   • Minimize bias
   • Document observations
   • Written
   • Visual

Standard 1
Describe how PPE protects the evidence and the lab worker.

1. Describe how PPE protects the evidence and the lab worker.
   
2. Explain how to properly use PPE.
   
   • Lab coats or apron
   • Gloves
   • Safety glasses

Standard 2
Exhibit appropriate behavior in the lab.

1. Explain the dangers of evidence contamination through food, drink, cosmetics, lotion, eye drops, and contact lenses.
   
2. Follow proper disposal and clean-up procedures with respect to chemicals and laboratory equipment.
   
3. Demonstrate proper hand washing technique.
   

Standard 3
Use laboratory equipment correctly and safely.

1. Demonstrate the proper use of equipment.
   
   • Micropipette
   • Electrophoresis apparatus-DNA
   • Microscopes
   • Balance
   • Water bath
   • Vernier calipers
   • Glassware (metric units)
   • Rulers/Measuring tapes
2. Identify the parts and functions of a compound microscope.
   
3. Demonstrate the ability to create a wet mount slide.
   

Standard 4
Follow laboratory procedures.

1. Explain the purpose of individual steps within a protocol.
   
2. Perform the steps of laboratory protocols accurately and in sequence.
   

Standard 5
Comply with policies and requirements for maintaining a lab manual/notebook/form.

1. Follow standard operating procedures for maintaining a lab manual/notebook/form.
   
   • Identifying information
   • Name
   • Date
   • Case number/assignment number
   • Always write in ink
   • Make corrections properly
2. Document laboratory work/activities, including:
   
   • Material
   • Procedures
   • Data/Results
   • Analysis
   • Conclusion

Standard 6
Demonstrate proper handling of chemicals.

1. Communicate the rationale for laboratory labeling procedures.
   
2. Recognize and comply with the labeling of chemicals used in a laboratory setting for safe handling and storage (flammability, corrosiveness, biohazards, toxicity, etc.).
   
3. Reference and interpret the guidelines in Safety Data Sheets (SDS).
   

Performance Skills

1. Demonstrate appropriate use of personal protective devices.
   
   • Describe how personal protective devices protect the evidence and the lab worker.
   • Demonstrate how to properly use personal protective devices (e.g., lab coats, gloves, safety glasses.
   • Demonstrate safe removal of gloves.
   • Demonstrate the ability to create a wet mount slide.
2. Maintain an accurate lab notebook.
   

Standard 1
Describe how various medical forensics professionals process a crime scene.

1. First Responding officer
   
2. Criminal Investigator/Detective
   
3. Crime Scene Investigator
   
4. Medicolegal Death Investigator
   

Standard 2
Describe proper procedures of evidence packaging.

1. Use sterile tools
   
2. Select the appropriate packaging for evidence
   
3. Write identifying information
   
   • Case number
   • Date
   • Agency
   • Name of collector
4. Write simple descriptions
   
5. Properly seal evidence packages
   
6. Complete the chain of custody log
   

Standard 3
Identify how a crime scene and evidence may be compromised.

1. Contamination
   
2. Chain of custody
   
3. Environmental conditions
   
4. Preservation of the crime scene
   
5. Processing at the lab
   

Performance Skills
Collect and properly label evidence.

Standard 1
Examine trace evidence using a microscope, and other techniques.

Standard 2
Examine and analyze the forensic aspects of hair.

1. Describe the microscopic structure of hair.
   
   • Shaft
   • Cortex
   • Cuticle
   • Medulla
   • Root
   • Follicle
2. Describe the location of nuclear and mitochondrial DNA associated with hair.
   
   • Shaft
   • Root
3. Describe the hair growth cycle and how it relates to trace evidence.
   
   • Anagen, catagen, telogen phases
   • Chemical absorption
4. Describe how to differentiate between animal hair and human hair.
   

Standard 3
Examine and analyze the forensic aspects of fibers by using physical (microscopic) and chemical (burn, acid, base, acetone) testing methods.

1. Natural fibers
   
   • Wool
   • Silk
   • Cotton
   • Cashmere
   • Hemp
2. Synthetic
   
   • Polyester
   • Spandex
   • Acrylic
   • Nylon

Standard 1
Describe fingerprint characteristics.

1. Describe the three fundamental rules of fingerprints as a means of personal identification.
   
   • Uniqueness
   • Persistent
   • Classifiable
2. Identify the levels of fingerprint characteristics.
   
   • First level detail - patterns
   • Second level detail - minutiae
   • Bifurcation
   • Ridge ending

Standard 2
Identify and classify fingerprint and ridge patterns.

1. Classify fingerprints into 3 basic patterns and name the eight subpatterns.
   
   • Loops
   • Right
   • Left
   • Whorls
   • Plain
   • Double loop
   • Central pocket
   • Accidental
   • Arches
   • Plain
   • Tented
2. Differentiate the steps of the ACE-V method of fingerprint comparison.
   
   • Analysis: Assessing a print to determine if it can be used for a comparison.
   • Comparison: Performed by an analyst who views the known and suspect prints side-by-side.
   • Evaluation: The examiner decides if the prints are from the same source (identification or individualization), different sources (exclusion) or is inconclusive.
   • Verification: When another examiner independently analyzes, compares and evaluates the prints to either support or refute the conclusions of the original examiner.

Standard 3
Compare and contrast latent, plastic, and patent fingerprints.

1. Develop latent fingerprints using physical and chemical processing.
   
2. Examine a plastic fingerprint using a mold (wax, soap, putty, etc.)
   
3. Create and document patent (visible) fingerprints using digital photography.
   

Performance Skills
Develop a latent fingerprint and identify 10 ridge characteristics.

Standard 1
Identify the components and chemical properties of blood.

1. List the components of blood.
   
   • Plasma
   • Erythrocytes (red blood cells)
   • Leukocytes (white blood cells)
   • Thrombocytes (platelets)
2. Identify the antigens and antibodies that determine ABO blood types and the Rh factor.
   
3. Discuss the limitations of using ABO blood types for forensic purposes.
   

Standard 2
Examine and analyze blood stain patterns.

1. Illustrate size, shape, appearance, distribution, and location of blood spatter in a laboratory experiment.
   
2. Compare and contrast low, medium, and high force blood spatter.
   
3. Examine different types of blood stain patterns.
   
   • Spatter
   • Drip
   • Castoff
   • Transfer
   • Swipe
   • Wipe
   • Projected
   • Expirated
   • Void

Standard 3
Describe proper procedures for blood stain evidence collection, presumptive testing, and preservation.

1. Describe how to collect a wet stain and a dry stain.
   
2. Discuss how to collect a large object in reference to blood evidence collection (i.e. sheets, blankets, clothing, etc.)
   
3. Perform and explain a presumptive blood test.
   

Performance Skills

1. Classify blood spatter by force.
   
   • High
   • Medium
   • Low
2. Differentiate between the various bloodstain patterns.
   

Standard 1
Describe correct anatomical position and the role it plays in death investigation.

1. Describe anatomical position.
   
2. Apply directional terms related to autopsy.
   
   • Superior
   • Inferior
   • Anterior
   • Posterior
   • Dorsal
   • Ventral
   • Medial
   • Lateral
   • Proximal
   • Distal

Standard 2
Locate the body cavities and identify the major organs within each.

1. Dorsal cavity
   
   • Cranial
   • Brain
   • Spinal
   • Spinal cord
2. Ventral cavity
   
   • Thoracic
   • Heart
   • Lungs
   • Esophagus
   • Trachea
   • Diaphragm
   • Abdominal
   • Stomach
   • Spleen
   • Pancreas
   • Liver
   • Gall Bladder
   • Small Intestine
   • Large Intestine
   • Kidneys
   • Pelvic
   • Urinary Bladder

Standard 3
Compare and contrast the manner and cause of death.

1. Define and list the manners of death.
   
   • Accidental: The victim died under circumstances that neither he/she nor someone else brought about. The resulting death was not reasonably foreseeable.
   • Natural: Death is caused solely by disease or natural process.
   • Suicide: The victim knowingly engaged in an act reasonably expected to end his/her life.
   • Homicide: Death is caused by another individual (this can refer to either noncriminal act or the criminal act of murder).
   • Undetermined: There is insufficient information about the circumstances of the death.
2. Differentiate between cause and mechanism of death.
   

Standard 4
Identify the steps of an autopsy procedure and discuss the role an autopsy report may play in a death investigation.

1. List the steps of an external examination.
   
2. Describe the proper technique to perform a Y-shaped incision.
   
3. List the steps of an internal examination.
   

Standard 5
Identify the steps of an autopsy procedure and discuss the role an autopsy report may play in a death investigation.

1. Describe the stages of decomposition.
   
   • Fresh
   • Active Decay
   • Autolysis/putrefaction
   • Bloat
   • Marbling
   • Skin blistering
   • Skin slippage
   • Advanced Decay
   • Skeletonization
   • Saponification
   • Mummification
2. Compare and contrast the following:
   
   • Algor mortis
   • Rigor mortis
   • Livor mortis
3. Identify common insects associated with decomposition and diagram their life cycles.
   
   • Egg
   • Larva
   • Pupa
   • Adult
4. Identify various environmental factors related to time since death/post mortem interval (temperature, humidity, sun exposure, location, etc.)
   

Performance Skills
Identify the steps of an autopsy procedure by animal dissection.

1. Steps of an external examination
   
2. Proper Y-shaped incision technique
   
3. Steps of an internal examination
   

Standard 1
Identify the basic bones of the skeleton used in forensic anthropology.

1. Skull
   
2. Humerus
   
3. Radius
   
4. Ulna
   
5. Pelvis
   
6. Femur
   
7. Tibia
   
8. Fibula
   

Standard 2
Use skeletal remains to determine the biological profile of an individual.

1. Determine the sex of an individual based on skull, jaw, brow ridge, pelvis, and femur.
   
2. Estimate the age of an individual.
   
3. Estimate the height of an individual.
   

Standard 3
Identify injuries, bone diseases, and possible causes of death using bone characteristics.

1. Compare and contrast ante mortem and peri mortem bone injuries (i.e. evidence of healing).
   
2. Identify bone patterns indicating disease (i.e. arthritis).
   
3. Identify bone damage characteristics that could indicate cause of death (i.e. stab wound, bullet hole, blunt force trauma, etc.)
   

Standard 4
Describe how teeth are used in forensic identification.

1. Name and number deciduous (baby) teeth and permanent teeth.
   
2. Describe the use of forensic dentistry in regard to mass disasters and body identification.
   

Standard 1
Identify the classifications of legal and illegal substances.

1. Controlled substances (Schedule 1-5)
   
2. Regulated substances (prescription only)
   
3. Restricted substances (alcohol, tobacco, etc.)
   
4. Unrestricted (over the counter)
   

Standard 2
Describe the physiological effects and symptoms of drug use and overdose.

1. Stimulants
   
2. Depressants
   
3. Narcotics/Opioids
   
4. Hallucinogens
   

Standard 3
Describe current field and laboratory procedures used for measuring the level of impairment caused by consuming alcohol.

1. Standard Field Sobriety Tests (SFST)
   
2. Describe techniques used to measure the blood alcohol content (BAC).
   
   • Through blood
   • Through the breath

Standard 4
Describe procedures for measuring other substances within the body.

1. Blood testing
   
2. Hair analysis
   
3. Urinalysis
   

Performance Skills
Identify the sex of an individual based on bone characteristics and measurements.

1. Skull
   
2. Jaw
   
3. Brow ridge
   
4. Pelvis
   
5. Femur
   

Standard 1
Identify the structure, function, and sources of DNA.

1. Describe the structure of DNA.
   
2. Describe the function of DNA.
   
3. Compare and contrast nuclear DNA and mitochondrial DNA.
   
4. Identify types of physical evidence that could contain DNA.
   

Standard 2
Describe advancements in DNA technology.

1. Describe the purpose of Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). Discuss how mitochondrial DNA relates to forensic identification.
   
2. Define Short Tandem Repeat (STR) and discuss how it relates to forensic identification.
   
3. Describe the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) of DNA identification.
   
4. Explore the value of Investigative Genetic Genealogy (IGG).
   
5. Determine genetic probabilities using a Punnett square.
   

Durable Skills

1. Communication
   
2. Problem solving
   
3. Teamwork
   
4. Critical Thinking