Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v4 - SHS 3

Lesson Video

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Performance objectives

• Describe the roles of biomedical scientists in forensic investigations.
• Identify key techniques used by biomedical scientists in forensics.
• Discuss the ethical considerations in forensic biomedical science.
• Understand the real-world application of forensics in our communities.

Lesson summary

This lesson explores the exciting and critical intersection of biomedical science and law enforcement: forensics. We often see dramatic portrayals of crime scene investigations on television, but the real work happens in the laboratory, performed by highly skilled biomedical scientists. In Ghana, as our justice system increasingly relies on scientific evidence, the role of the forensic biomedical scientist is more important than ever. This lesson will demystify their work, showing how principles of biology and chemistry are used to solve crimes, identify victims, establish paternity, and ensure that justice is served.

Lesson notes

A. What is Forensic Science?

Forensic Science (often shortened to forensics) is the application of scientific methods and techniques to matters of law. It is a broad field that uses principles from biology, chemistry, physics, and other sciences to analyse evidence from crime scenes.

A Forensic Biomedical Scientist is a laboratory professional who specialises in analysing biological evidence. They are not police officers who visit crime scenes; they are the scientists who receive the evidence collected by investigators and use sophisticated equipment and techniques to uncover the story the evidence tells.

A crucial concept they adhere to is the Chain of Custody: a meticulous, unbroken record of the handling of evidence. Every person who handles the evidence must sign for it. A break in this chain can make the evidence inadmissible in court. B. Key Roles of the Biomedical Scientist in Forensics

Evaluation guide

• Discuss and describe the role of biomedical science professionals in forensics.
• Digital Learning: Watch videos on the roles played by biomedical scientists in forensics and
• summarise conversations observed in the video. Engage in a discussion on the topic in class using the
• videos watched and students’ notes as a starting point.