STP 15

STP 15
Chemistry and Crime
Winter 2000

Course Description: This course will involve the analysis of actual criminal cases. The students will be introduced to forensic and chemical concepts including gunpowder analysis (Kennedy assassination), trace evidence analysis, fiber analysis (Wayne Williams), drug analysis, blood analysis (Jeffrey MacDonald), and DNA profiling (OJ Simpson). Prerequisite: CHE 11 or 17 or NSC 11.

Instructor: Dr. Jennifer Muzyka, Olin 214, 238-5413

Office Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday 1-2 PM.

Texts:

Crime Scene

Unnatural Death

Grave Secrets

Grading

Writing assignments may be required during class time or outside of class. These writing assignments will be evaluated based on their content, writing style, and grammar. This course will involve active participation in a mock trial. Each student’s paper will be related to their role in their mock trial.

Participation in class discussions and group work is considered part of the course requirements and will constitute 10% of each student’s grade. Discussions will be based on case readings. Some of the case readings may be accessed via the Internet or on reserve in the library.

Tentative Schedule
Jan 4	Introduction, Ragle Chapter 1, Concepts of Forensic Science
5	Discussion of Jascalevich and Coppolino Cases Daubert Readings
6	Ragle Chapter 2, Crime Scene Team
7	Ragle Chapter 6, Blood and Other Physiological Fluids Daubert writing assignment due

10	Blood (continued)
11	Ragle Chapter 7, DNA
13	DNA (continued)
14	DNA Profiling Simulation Discussion of OJ Simpson Case Assignment of Mock Trial Groups

17	Test 1
18	Ragle Chapter 5, Firearms Evidence
20	Discussion of Cleveland Shootout
21	Ragle Chapter 8, Trace Evidence, Hairs, and Fibers Mock Trial Topics Due

24	Trace Evidence (continued)
25	Discussion of Kennedy Assassination
27	Ragle Chapter 9, Toxicology
28	Discussion of Belushi and Presley Cases

31	Arson
Feb 1	Discussion of Kentucky nightclub fire
3	Test 2
4	Case Discussions

7	Mock Trial 1 and ALL Papers Due
8	Mock Trial 2
10	Mock Trial 3
11	Mock Trial 4 (final exam period)

Case Readings (Readings from journal articles and books other than your textbook are on reserve in the library)

Jascalevich, pp. 157-164 in Baden and "Detection of Curare in the Jascalevich Murder Trial," Hall, L. H.; Hirsch, R. F. Analytical Chemistry 1979, 51, 812A-819A.
Coppolino, pp. 150-157 in Baden.
Daubert Readings, "Daubert v. Merrell Dow: The Supreme Court Tackles Scientific Evidence in the Courtroom." by Gold, J. A.; Gold, J. A.; Zaremski, M. J.; Lev, E. R., in JAMA, DEC 22 1993 v 270 n 24 p 2964 and "Capillary electrophoresis and Daubert: Time for Admission," Analytical Chemistry, APR 01 1996 v 68 n 7 p 241A.
Belushi, pp. 90-95 in Baden.
Presley, pp. 35-36 in Baden.
Kennedy assassination, pp. 5-22 in Baden and V. P. Guinn, "JFK Assassination: Bullet Analysis," Analytical Chemistry 51, 484A-493A (1979).
OJ Simpson, pp. 30-117 in Wecht and readings from web site.
Cleveland shootout, pp. 155-183 in Wecht.
Kentucky nightclub fire, pp. 219-233 in Wecht.