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Canyon College
online Psychological Evaluation, Consultation and Testimony course at Canyon College forensic psychology department
COURSE SYLLABUS: CJ486 - Fingerprint Classification

Course Title: CJ486 - Fingerprint Classification
Department: School of Criminal Justice
Instructor: Fred A. Sams, JD, CMI, CHS, DABLEE, E-Mail -- Vita
Phone: (828) 625-9744


Required Texts  Online Bookstore

Primary Text Book:
The Science Of Fingerprints,
by U.S. Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Identification. U.S. Government Printing Office (1993).
ISBN-13: 9781568068398   ISBN: 1568068395
(Available at Amozon.com)



Secondary Text Book:
Fingerprints: The Origins of Crime Detection and the Murder Case that Launched Forensic Science,
by Colin Beavan. Hyperion (2002).
ISBN-13: 9781883620240   ISBN: 0786885289
** NOTE: Book out of print but can be ordered through Amazon.com



Suggested Reference Book: American Psychological Association, (2005) Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (5th ed.) Washington, DC: Author (or current edition)

Professor Contact

Email: csisams@canyoncollege.edu
Phone: (828) 625-9744
Professor Availability: Professor Sams is on line numerous times daily between 10:00 am and 9:00 pm Monday through Saturday. Telephone conferences may be prearranged by e-mail.

Course Overview

The science, art and methodology of fingerprint classification, identification, and latent print recovery is a very technical and specialized skill that enjoys a category of its own within the ever burgeoning world of forensic science. Fingerprints represent perhaps the earliest entry of forensics into the judicial and criminal justice arenas. This course will be a survey of the topics and basic skills that function as the foundation of the science of fingerprint classification and identification. The student will also be exposed to a historical perspective of the long and exhaustive battle to have fingerprints accepted and acknowledged by the criminal justice system as a valid discipline.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will have a working knowledge, understanding and appreciation for the basic methodologies employed within the discipline of fingerprint science. Students will acquire an ability to classify, identify and search fingerprints as utilized in the Federal Bureau of Investigation as well as the standard agency identification bureau. Each student will gain the ability to recognize fingerprints relative to their identification value as well as other applications within the forensics sciences.

Welcome to the Course

Hello and welcome to the class. My name is Fred Sams, and I will be your professor during this course. I look forward to working you and having an interesting and enjoyable course. Please review the course materials and become familiar with the grading expectations. I will be on the platform almost daily, and accordingly, I attempt to answer submissions and e-mails within a twenty-four hour period when possible. I am also available by phone. In case of an extreme emergency you can contact me at 1-828-625-9744. Telephone conversations and conferences may be requested in advance by e-mail. By scheduling a call with me in advance, I can be sure that I am free to adequately discuss matters with you without interruption. As you can see, I am never more than a "click" or a call away. I will be available to answer any questions that you may have and to work with you to make this a valuable and enjoyable experience. I will be responsible for grading your work and providing feedback to you on a regular basis. This is somewhat different from the actual classroom environment, but be confident in the fact that I will be here when you need me and will work closely with you during the class. In actuality, you will find that I am more accessible than a regular classroom professor. Please make every effort to keep up with the work. You will find that falling behind in this course will cause you great difficulties. If you have any problems, LET ME KNOW ASAP!! We can easily work through problems most of the time. This is an interesting course, so budget yourself enough time to do the required work. Good luck! And remember, I will read everything you write. We are all busy adults. So, if you invest your time to write it - then I'll take my time and read it! I feel that I owe each student the respect of looking at their work. , Again—WELCOME!!

Professor's Biography

Fred A. Sams, BA, JD, CMI-IV, DABLEE, CHS
Captain
Retired - Chief of Detectives - Major Case – Crime Scene Investigator

Captain Sams’ career in law and criminal justice began in 1967 when he was accepted as a member of the F.B.I., where he was trained and certified as a fingerprint expert. Over the years he has also served with the Miami Police Department, the Metro-Dade Police Department, the Fairfax County, Virginia, Police Department, and as Director of Forensics for two Sheriff’s Departments in North Carolina. He is a former member of the California Law Offices of Melvin M. Belli. Fred is a regionally prominent forensic investigator and is consulted on many homicides and major cases occurring within the Western North Carolina Region. He has written a crime scene investigation curriculum for the North Carolina Justice Academy where he teaches as an adjunct instructor.

Additionally, Fred is a facilitator for Boston University’s Master’s in Criminal Justice Program and currently in his sixth year with the University. Additionally he is a faculty member for the University of Phoenix Criminal Justice Program, an adjunct graduate professor for Saint Leo University’s Master’s in Criminal Justice Program, as well as a professor of Criminal Justice with Canyon College. He is previously a senior professor of criminal justice at Shaw University’s Asheville Campus and criminal justice instructor for Isothermal Community College. Fred is a visiting instructor for The Taylor Group, Inc., for whom he travels throughout the United States teaching Crime Scene Investigation. He teaches seminars on clandestine methamphetamine laboratories, bomb threat assessment, profiling and deviant behavior as related to workplace violence for healthcare, private industry, and law enforcement agencies. In addition, he conducts physical security surveys and site assessments for large corporate entities and governmental facilities.

Fred has also worked as a Federal Investigator in the areas of narcotics and child sexual assault cases. His background includes experience with the State of North Carolina as an Enforcement Agent II and with Probation and Parole. He holds certifications as a law enforcement officer in both Florida and North Carolina and has been awarded the State of North Carolina’s Advanced Law Enforcement Certificate. Fred has participated in the forensics aspect of cases that are featured in books such as “The Greatest Crimes of the Twentieth Century” and movies such as 20th Century Fox’s “Buried Alive”. He also has been the subject of articles in magazines such as “Police One”.

Academically, Fred holds an Associate of Arts Degree in Police Science, a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Criminology from Saint Leo University and a Juris Doctor (Law) Degree from Western State University/Thomas Jefferson School of Law in San Diego. He is a member of the American College of Forensic Examiners and enjoys the distinction of Diplomate with the College’s American Board of Law Enforcement Experts. The American College of Forensic Examiners has awarded Fred the prestigious designation of Certified Medical Investigator – Level IV, as well as certification as an expert in Homeland Security. He is an acknowledged court expert witness in the fields of fingerprints, handwriting, shoe and tire impressions, crime scene reconstruction and blood spatter to name a few. Fred is an active member of the North Carolina Homicide Investigator’s Association and the International Homicide Investigator’s Association and the International Fingerprint Association.

While serving in the Army, he received assignments with the Army’s Criminal Investigation and Military Police Command as an investigator, instructor and negotiator. Fred was given a variety of post war assignments such as S-2 (intelligence) working in the South Florida Everglades coordinating nuclear security relative to threats posed to missile sites by radical and extremist groups. He holds the rank of Sixth Degree Black Belt with the United States Karate Association and Independent Martial Arts Federation. He also teaches self-defense classes and martial arts to law enforcement and special segments of the community.

Captain Sams has attended such prestigious schools as: Fred is currently completing a book entitled “Practical Crime Scene Investigations—A Manual” Finally, he is scheduled to speak before the American College of Forensic Examiners National Convention in October. This will be his second invitation to teach/speak at the ACFE National Conference.

Academic Honesty

Academic honesty is highly valued at Canyon College. Students must always submit work that represents their original words or ideas. If any words or ideas used in a class posting or assignment submission do not represent the student’s original words or ideas, all relevant sources must be cited along with the extent to which such sources were used.

References and citations will follow the APA format.

Words or ideas that require citation include, but are not limited to, all hard copy or electronic publications, whether copyrighted or not, and all verbal or visual communication when the content of such communication clearly originates from an identifiable source.

Privacy and Confidentiality in the Canyon College Classroom

One of the highlights of the Canyon College academic experience is that students can draw on the wealth of examples from their organizations in class discussions and in their written work. However, it is imperative that students not share information that is confidential, privileged, or proprietary in nature. Students must be mindful of any contracts they have agreed to with their companies.

Point Values for Course Assignments

The following represents the distribution of grading for this course:



Grading

A = Excellent performance. Clearly stands out as an excellent performer. Has unusually sharp insight into material and initiates thoughtful questions. The student sees many sides of an issue. Articulates well and writes logically and clearly. Integrates ideas previously learned from this and other disciplines; anticipates next steps in progression of ideas

B = Above average performance. Grasps subject matter at a level considered to be good to very good. The student actively participates in the class discussion. Speaks and writes well. The student accomplishes more than the minimum requirements. Work in and out of class is of high quality.

C = Average performance. The student demonstrates a satisfactory comprehension of the subject matter. Accomplishes only the minimum requirements and displays little or no initiative. The student is able to communicate orally and in writing at an acceptable level for a college student. Has a satisfactory understanding of all basic concepts.

D = Below average performance. The student demonstrates understanding at the most rudimentary level. Quality and quantity of work in and out of class is below average and marginally acceptable.

F = Failing performance. Work is not acceptable and/or timely. Quality and quantity of work in and out of class fails to demonstrate a marginal understanding of learning objectives and their application. Academic credit is not earned.



Please place your last name/ week # and assignment in the subject line of your email.

Chapter Brief

Each week, you will have chapters from the text: The Science of Fingerprints, assigned as the academic materials for study. You will complete a brief of the basic academic materials relative to fingerprint science and methodology that is presented in the text. This weekly report will be a minimum of two pages in length for each chapter assigned, double spaced, in APA format, with a concluding paragraph stating what you have learned from the academic materials from each chapter. Accordingly, if you are assigned two chapters in a given week, you will complete two chapter briefs of no less than two pages each, for a total of four pages.

NOTE: Chapters 8, 12, & 16 of the FBI Fingerprint book has been omitted intentionally by the professor.

Book Critique

You will be required to read the book: Fingerprints; The Origins of Crime Detection And The Murder Case That Launched Forensic Science. This is a very short, yet informative and entertaining examination of how fingerprints were introduced into the criminal justice system as a valid forensic tool. Once you complete this book, no later than by week seven, you will compile a written critique of the materials contained in the book, and what relevance these materials have to the academic materials that you have studied in this course.

The guidelines for this critique will be the same as those as set forth below for your research paper (see below).

Weekly Summary

Each on-line week, you will conclude the week’s activities by summarizing what you have learned during the week. You do not need to simply repeat everything that has been discussed. What I am most interested in is what you learned about the academic materials during the course of the week. The Weekly Summary is a graded activity. Instead of posing specific questions to determine your progress and substantive knowledge gained, you get to tell me what you have learned. Focus your summary by answering the following questions, or additional questions that I may pose:

Please address the content of the course and your reaction to it in your weekly summary. Do not simply discuss your schedule, whether the server was up or down, and other “process related” items. The length of your weekly summary should be between 350 and 500 words.

Quizzes

Short quizzes (consisting of both multiple choice and True/ False) will be given to evaluate mastery of the material during the class; week 2 quiz will include weeks 1 & 2 material, week 5 quiz will include weeks 3 & 4; week 7 quiz will include weeks 5 & 6. Quizzes will not be cumulative in nature. This means that there will be a Quiz administered at the end of weeks 2, 5, and 7, for a total of 3 quizzes. Each Quiz will be posted in the exam format under the week that it is to be taken, and I will request that each be opened for you in the week that it is due.

Research Paper

You will compose a final research paper that will analyze and thoroughly discuss one specific topic. You will select your topic from the list below. You will develop and organize your ideas on this topic to form a compelling and logical argument. Please confirm with your professor the topic for your paper by the end of academic week two. This will be a topic of your choice, selected from the following list. This paper is due in week 8.

Subjects:
Recovery of latent prints from the crime scene
Development methods for finding latent prints on evidence in the crime lab
Legal attacks and court decisions regarding the validity of fingerprint science
An overview of the AFIS Program within the FBI
Below are the pertinent criteria for your paper:
  1. Length: 10 -12 pages (not including references)
  2. Spacing: double-spaced
  3. Font size: 12.
  4. Font type: Times New Roman.
  5. Margins: 1” (all around)
  6. Reference style: APA
  7. Pagination: Center bottom (numbers for pages), use lower case Roman Numerals for table of contents
  8. Section headings: Centered, caps, underlined
  9. Sections:
    1. Title page
    2. Abstract
    3. Table of contents
    4. Introduction
    5. Analysis and discussion of topic
    6. References
    7. Conclusion
Class Policy

All work must be turned in as scheduled. Any work turned in as a late assignment will be marked down by 10% for each calendar day that it is delinquent. Students must request extensions from the professor in order to avoid late penalties; such extensions must be requested prior to the due date of the assignment.

All academic papers will be required to be referenced in a proper format consistent with current APA guidelines. Papers not containing proper references may be viewed as plagiarism.

Classes are considered to be eight weeks in length. Any extensions required beyond the eighth week must be approved by the professor in advance.

Students will start their “Academic Week” on Monday at 12:01 a.m. Mountain Time and it will end on Sunday at midnight Mountain Time. The purpose of the academic week is to allow for determination of due dates for assignments.



Week One Deliverables


Introduction & Biography:

Email your profession with an introduction regarding who you are, and follow that with a brief biography of yourself. Tell me what you would like me to know about you; hobbies, family, profession (photo attachments optional—as it is always nice to put a face with a name). Additionally, give a brief summary of what you intend to do from a professional standpoint with the degree that you are pursuing. Submit the introduction and biography by the second day of class if possible, but no later than the last day of the first week.

Reading: Assignments

Brief each chapter and submit a copy of your brief to the professor no later than the last day of the academic week.

Assignment #1

The Science of Fingerprints; FBI. Chapters 1 & 2


Assignment #2:

Fingerprints; Beavan. Read at leisure for end of course critique.


Weekly Summary:

Complete week one summary as directed in the syllabus. Submit your summary by email to the professor by the end of the academic week.



Week Two Deliverables


Reading: Assignments

Brief each chapter and submit a copy of your brief to the professor no later than the last day of the academic week.

Assignment #1:

The Science of Fingerprints; FBI. Chapters 3, 4, & 5.

Assignment #2:

Fingerprints; Beavan. Read at leisure for end of course critique.

Weekly Summary:

Complete week two summary as directed in the syllabus. Submit your summary by email to the professor by the end of the academic week.

Week Two Quiz:

Complete week two quiz as directed in the quiz instructions. The quiz will cover all materials presented in weeks one and two.



Week Three Deliverables


Reading: Assignments:

Brief each chapter and submit a copy of your brief to the professor no later than the last day of the academic week.

Assignment #1:

The Science of Fingerprints; FBI. Chapters 6, 7, & 8

Assignment #2:

Fingerprints; Beavan. Read at leisure for end of course critique.

Weekly Summary:

Complete week three summary as directed in the syllabus. Submit your summary by email to the professor by the end of the academic week.

Week Four Deliverables


Reading: Assignments:

Brief each chapter and submit a copy of your brief to the professor no later than the last day of the academic week.

Assignment #1:

The Science of Fingerprints; FBI. Chapters 9, 10 & 11

Assignment #2:

Fingerprints; Beavan. Read at leisure for end of course critique.

Weekly Summary:

Complete week four summary as directed in the syllabus. Submit your summary by email to the professor by the end of the academic week.

Midterm Examination:

The Mid-term Examination part one will consist of twenty five multiple choice and true/false questions. Part two will consist of a brief essay of approximately 500 words. Follow the instructions contained in the beginning of the exams. The mid-term will cover all materials up to the date of the exam.



Week Five Deliverables


Reading: Assignments:

Brief each chapter and submit a copy of your brief to the professor no later than the last day of the academic week.

Assignment #1:

The Science of Fingerprints; FBI. Chapters 13, 14, & 15

Assignment #2:

Fingerprints; Beavan. Read at leisure for end of course critique.

Weekly Summary:

Complete week five summary as directed in the syllabus. Submit your summary by email to the professor by the end of the academic week.

Week Five Quiz:

Complete week five quiz as directed in the quiz instructions. The quiz will cover all materials presented in weeks 3 and 4



Week Six Deliverables


Reading: Assignments:

Brief each chapter and submit a copy of your brief to the professor no later than the last day of the academic week.

Assignment #1:

The Science of Fingerprints; FBI. Chapters 14; Review Chapter 2

Assignment #2:

Fingerprints; Beavan. Read at leisure for end of course critique.

Weekly Summary:

Complete week one summary as directed in the syllabus. Submit your summary by email to the professor by the end of the academic week.



Week Seven Deliverables


Reading: Assignments:

Brief each chapter and submit a copy of your brief to the professor no later than the last day of the academic week.

Assignment #1:

The Science of Fingerprints; FBI. Chapters 15; Review Chatper 2

Assignment #2:

Fingerprints; Beavan. Read at leisure for end of course critique.

Weekly Summary:

Complete week one summary as directed in the syllabus. Submit your summary by email to the professor by the end of the academic week.

Week Seven Quiz:

Complete week seven quiz as directed in the quiz instructions. The quiz will cover all materials presented in weeks 5, 6 & 7.

Book Critique:

Your critique of Colin Beavan’s book is due by the last day of this week. Review the instructions in the syllabus.



Week Eight Deliverables


Complete the research paper and final exam

Research Paper:

Your research paper will be due this week, review the requirements for the paper as outlined in the syllabus.

Final Exam:

Your final examination will consist of between 25 and 50 multiple choice and/or true false questions in part one. And, part two will consist of a brief essay of approximately 1500 words. Follow the instructions contained in the beginning of the exams. The final exam will cover all materials covered in the entire course.