Sample Assignments for MedicoLegal Forensics

SAMPLE ASSIGNMENTS FOR MEDICOLEGAL FORENSICS
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1. Link to Webpage Evaluation Form ("Report Card" assignments) -- http://www.apsu.edu/oconnort/webpageevaluation.htm

SAMPLE ESSAY QUESTIONS (if assigned)

1: (Discussion question: Defend the seemingly one-sided and unfair practice of retrograde extrapolation from a prosecutorial viewpoint, then argue against it from a defense viewpoint. Devote equal time to each side.) Tip: As will all the discussion questions, I'm looking for evidence that you've read and understand the material, both from the book and from the lecture notes. In this case, you'll need to know exactly what "retrograde extrapolation" is. You don't need to cite anything as your source of information. I'll know if and where you got your ideas from someplace I've assigned as reading. There are times, however, when you should add your own opinion, and this is one of those times because the question calls for you to demonstrate your understanding of the concept in terms of your opinion about its fairness. As these instructions indicate, be sure to devote equal time to both viewpoints.

2: Should law enforcement agents be regarded as scientific or non-scientific experts? Why or why not? And with what kinds of cases and what kind of evidence? Are there any terrorism cases they have admissible scientific expertise on?

3: Does it make sense, and why or why not, for an expert witness to be required to give a figure measuring their self-confidence in their own opinion? Use as an example the phrase "I'm 90% confident of a probable match". Tip: When the question asks "does it make sense," be sure to write from the point of view of the legal system and its rules of evidence admissibility, not from your own personal point of view. Think about it-why put a scientific expert on the stand who is highly trained in the standards of proof in their own discipline and then force them to simply their opinion with a crude percentage of confidence.

4: Pretend you're not a math major but an average death-qualified juror, and it all boils down to a probability estimate by a forensic serologist that a bloodstain on a suspect's knife matches the blood of a murder victim. What number would be impressive to you? Go ahead, pick a number, out to as many decimal places as you like. Why would this number impress you?) Tip: Remember to pretend that this is a death penalty case, and somebody's life depends upon how many decimal places you think is impressive enough.

5: Are you alarmed by things like CODIS, population DNA databases, or the government's efforts to have your genetic code on file? Why or why not? Tip: Unless you adequately understand what CODIS is from my online lecture notes, you may want to visit one of the Internet web sites I've provided to explore that topic further. Does DNA typing appear, for example, to be the government's replacement of fingerprint databases?

6: Explain what you think would be an intelligent and fair national policy for DNA exoneration. Assume the Justice Dept's 1999 Guidelines and principle of "reasonable probability" are neither intelligent nor fair. Use your own sense of direction and be sure to address issues like which type of inmates or which type of cases should be given a shot at it, and which private citizens, other suspects, witnesses, and justice employees should be tested. Tip: The Justice Department's guidelines can be found, among other places, by following the link I've marked Convicted by Juries, Exonerated by Science at the bottom of this lecture. You may want to look up something, but by now should have a good understanding of what a reasonable probability standard is. Remember that testing is expensive, so design a cost-effective, yet fair, policy.

7: Visit the hyperlink, Human and Animal Bitemark Management, and summarize this forensic dentist's webpage in terms of 2-3 things he thinks are "antiquated" and 2-3 things he thinks are "modern". In your list, provide some sense of what terminology or techniques the field of bitemark analysis should leave behind and what terminology or techniques the field of bitemarks should start using. Tip: Again, this is a webquest assignment - to visit a website.

8: Do you think you could or could not do work involving reaching into a carcass (with gloves on, of course) and pulling out the largest maggot? Describe your feelings. Tip: Demonstrate your knowledge or awareness of any health risks as well as how professional and reputable your work as a forensic anthropologist would be perceived and self-perceived.

9: Pretend you're a rattled forensic psychologist on the stand, and defend yourself and your professional dignity.

10: Simply invent a new field that you think forensic science could go into. Make something up.

11: Influence the jury exercise. Follow the instructions given in class.

12. Examine one of the "newer" fields of forensic science, like forensic nursing or social work, and develop a list of five characteristics which best describe what makes such a field "new."

Last updated: Oct 10, 2006
Not an official webpage of APSU, copyright restrictions apply, see Megalinks in Criminal Justice
O'Connor, T. (Date of Last Update at bottom of page). In Part of web cited (Windows name for file at top of browser), MegaLinks in Criminal Justice. Retrieved from http://www.apsu.edu/oconnort/rest of URL accessed on today's date.