Description:
Popular
media has played an important role in generating public interest in the
field of forensics and specialty fields such as forensic anthropology.
Select an episode of CSI, Bones, Cold Case, Criminal Minds
or one of the other popular “forensic science” television series.
Choose a series and episode that present a fictitious case, you should
not use a documentary based on real evidence and a real case. Choose an
episode that you can re-watch if necessary (rent it, record it,
download it). Consider the characters, the physical evidence, and the
scientific methods and procedures used in the episode. Then investigate
the issues so that you can answer the questions in the outline below.
Write a 3-4 page narrative commentary that includes the following:
1. Case background
a. Identify the series and episode (use a name or number).
b.
Summarize the plot of the episode including the crime itself, how
remains were recovered, and what analyses were performed to identify the
remains (~one paragraph)
c. Define forensic anthropology
d.
Identify the role of the forensic anthropologist in the episode. If
the episode doesn’t clearly identify a forensic anthropologist, describe
who was responsible for assessing human remains in this episode
e.
Identify supporting scientists. What other specialty areas were
represented by experts? For example: forensic odontologist, forensic
botanist, pathologist, forensic entomologist?
2. Analysis of methods
a.
Evaluate the scene investigation and recovery methods. You may want to
use the textbooks to help you determine what essential elements in
investigation and recovery were met and unmet.
b. Was evidence handled in a consistent and documented manner? Consider your reading about the Chain of Evidence.
c.
Were all of the forensic scientists and other professional involved in
the investigation working within their area of training and expertise?
If so, why is that important? If not, what are potential issues with
their ‘expert’ evaluation of the evidence?
3. Conclusion
a.
Summarize what the screen writers did right and what they did wrong.
In the credits, did you note any indication of professional consultation
with someone with forensic qualifications or experience?
b. Why are these programs appealing to the general American audience? What is the utility of these types of programs?
4. Works cited
a.
Include one additional outside source (not a dictionary or
encyclopedia) in your write-up. You should both cite the source to
demonstrate how you used the source in your assignment and also provide a
reference. This outside source may be a popular source or a primary
source. You should not use collaborative or personal opinion sources
such as blogs, social networking pages, Wikipedia, Ask.com, Answers.com,
Ehow.com, Encyclopedia Britannica, etc.
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