Week 4 Discussion: Drug Testing
The prevalence of substance abuse among the populations of developed countries is at an all-time high. Each drug class has unique physical and psychological side effects. Such effects all too often lead to injury and/or death due to functional impairments or the effects of overdose.
Please discuss the physiologic and psychologic side effects of the following drugs:
|
If your last name begins with… |
…discuss the effects of: |
|
A – F |
long-term opioid abuse |
|
G – K |
long-term amphetamine abuse |
|
L – P |
long-term cocaine abuse |
|
Q-Z |
carbon monoxide exposure |
Comment on how the individual may present when evaluated by a trained Drug Recognition Expert. Also, comment on one confirmatory test that can be used to demonstrate the presence of the substance in the live suspect.
Do a
library
and/or web search to find at least one
credible information source
and use that to explain your assigned drug.
Your main post should be at least 150 words.
In addition to citing at least one credible outside source, you also need to make at least one connection to the assigned Week 4 Learning Resources in your main response. In-text citations and full references in
APA format
are required.
Week 5 Discussion: PCR Amplification
In this discussion, we will take a closer look at the process of PCR amplification. The amount of DNA evidence that might be available at the crime scene is often insufficient to conduct DNA testing. That is where PCR amplification comes in.
In your main response, describe how PCR amplification was used to solve the case, and also discuss the advantages and limitations of using PCR amplification.
According to the first letter in your last name, find a case, and describe how PCR amplification was used to solve that specific case:
|
If your last name starts with the letter… |
… describe how PCR amplification was used in a specific case where…. |
|
A – H |
… an unknown cause of death was resolved. |
Do a
library
and/or web search to find at least one
credible information source
and use that to explain how PCR amplification helped solve the case.
Your main post should be at least 150 words.
Week 6 Discussion – The OJ Simpson Case
Years ago, the OJ Simpson trial was televised to the entire country virtually every day. The court was in session and there was considerable discussion about how the evidence was handled both at the crime scene and after its collection at that location. There were missteps in the process of documenting, collecting, transporting, and storing crucial evidence.
According to the first letter in your last name, research and write about one of the instances where the improper handling of the evidence cast doubt about its admissibility in the OJ Simpson trial:
|
If your last name starts with the letter… |
…… choose and write about one problem in the Simpson case that occurred: |
|
A – E |
… in the chain of custody. |
Do a
library
and/or web search to find at least one
credible information source
and use that to explain the issue.
Include the name of the issue in the title of your discussion post. Try your best to choose an issue not yet described by one of the other students. If you do choose the same issue, make sure you use a different information source and contribute new information.
Your main post should be at least 150 words.
In addition to citing at least one credible outside source, you also need to make at least one connection to the assigned Week 6 Learning Resources in your main response. In-text citations and full references in
APA format
are required.
Week 7 Discussion – Eyewitness Testimonies
Part of the reading for week 7 involves a discussion of effective courtroom testimony.
The testimony from expert witnesses has to be presented in a manner that is clear, based on facts and science, and can stand up to close examination by both the plaintiff’s and defendant’s attorneys.
The determination of innocence or guilt can also rest on the testimony of eyewitnesses who can be called to testify during the proceedings.
Please discuss one reason why eyewitness testimony can actually be inaccurate even though the witness who is providing it, is convinced that it is true.
According to the first letter in your last name, research and write about the role of the eyewitness(es) in one specific case from the assigned decade.
|
If your last name starts with the letter… |
…choose a criminal case from the following decade: |
|
A – G |
1990s |
Do a
library
and/or web search to find at least one
credible information source
and use that to explain the role of the eyewitness in the chosen case.
Include the name of the case in the title of your discussion post. Try your best to choose a case not yet described by one of the other students. If you do choose the same case, make sure you use a different information source and contribute new information.
Your main post should be at least 150 words.
