1. What is the CSI Effect? Make sure you explain in detail how it affects prosecutors, police and scientists in the field as well as the criminal justice system.
2. With regard to the CSI Effect, what would be some advantages to using professional (paid) juries? What would be some disadvantages? Should the US keep a jury summons system where it is an expected public service for those selected to participate? Discuss and describe another option for a jury system?
3. What is an Ethical Code? What are the most important aspects or considerations to an Ethical Code? Why? Pretending you are a forensic science employer, please develop and discuss four important requirements (codes) for an Ethical Code for forensic scientists.
4. Please describe three ways in which a forensic lab can help ensure the ethical behavior of its scientists. As, these methods should be realistic, please explain why your methods are realistic. Also, in light of the fact that most forensic labs are public labs and therefore funded by taxpayers, these methods should be cost effective as well. Please discuss these methods, why they would work and their cost effectiveness.
5. Describe the steps of the Scientific Method and then describe its application to the field of forensic science? Be sure to describe how each step is applied to forensic science. You can use a concrete example, such as an item of evidence or a crime scene, as part of your explanation.
6. Describe the rulings of both Frye v. US and Daubert v. Merrell Dow (do not describe the case facts: explain the rulings). Describe how the rulings in Frye v. US and Daubert v. Merrell Dow have affected forensic sciences and the court systems. Make sure you discuss the effects of both rulings.
7. What is the methodology of having a new scientific technique accepted into a court of law? Choose one of the applicable major case laws (Frye or Daubert). Explain the ruling and how a new scientific technique would be introduced into court using that technique. Then describe how a scientist would ensure they can answer all the applicable questions regarding their scientific technique to allow that technique to be admitted into a courtroom?
8. Forensic science involves many sub-disciplines. Name 5 of these forensic science sub-disciplines and describe what the area of focus of each sub-discipline is about, including what type of evidence would be examined by that sub-discipline and what type of results that sub-discipline could produce.