During the 2006-2007 school year I started teaching a 9-week course on Forensic Science as one of our 8th grade activity classes. A brief outline is available in PDF format - Quarter Outline and a list of supplies is available at the bottom of this page. Listed below are the powerpoints, worksheets, and other resources I use during the class. I have a SmartBoard in my classroom and many of the presentations (unit and review) are set up so students can help me fill in the answers as we discuss the notes or while they check their worksheets. Please e-mail me if you have any questions.

 
Reference Cards
I have created reference cards for many of the units/activities listed below, which are designed to replace the student worksheets and some lab pages for those units. I plan to create cards for all the units and have them available by the start of the next school year. The cards are printed on card stock (back-to-back) and laminated for student use. Students use overhead markers to add notes to the pages as we discuss each lesson and keep them to review for the unit quizzes. (You could also have students record their answers in a lab notebook rather than write on the pages.) At the end of the unit, they clean them off with a wet cloth and turn them in so they are ready for the next class! Less paper wasted and less time copying - a double bonus! In addition, the reference card format will allow special education students (and other students with learning challenges) to focus on the lesson and avoids possible frustration at trying to keep up with the class notes. They will have all the information they need in one place.

Daily CSI Challenges

I start each class period with a warm-up activity targeting forensic science concepts and other skills (observation, problem-solving, etc.) The challenges are in the form of PowerPoint presentations and include spot-the-differences puzzles, mini mysteries, trivia challenges, and vocabulary builders. I have also created several warm-ups that incorporate CSI-related videos that are available online.

Click here to visit the Daily CSI Challenges page ... 

Back to top

Unit 1: Crime Scene Basics & Testimonial Evidence
(UPDATED June 2009)

During this unit students learn basic vocabulary associated with crime scene analysis as well as explore testimonial evidence (eyewitness accounts and FACES facial composites software to create - see the list of supply companies at the bottom of this page.) They also get a chance to investigate a crime through the CHIN Interactive Investigator website, which helps to introduce them to many of the topics we discuss throughout the quarter-long class.

Presentation:  Crime Scene Basics (PPT)
Worksheet: Crime Scene Basics Student Notes (PDF)

Presentation: Eyewitness Basics: Testimonial Evidence (PPT)
Worksheet:  Testimonial Evidence Student Notes (PDF)

Reference Card:  Crime Scene Basics & Eyewitness Basics Card (PDF) - This 2-sided handout replaces the worksheets for Crime Scene Basics and Eyewitness Basics.
Questions about the reference cards? See the note at the top of this page.

Review: Unit 1 Review Worksheet (PDF) and Unit 1 Review Key (PPT)

Quiz: Unit 1 Quiz (PDF)

Other General Resources:

Forensic Science A to Z Challenge (PDF) - Students must use clues to identify forensic science terms and then find them in a "bent word" style word search. They use the letters that remain in the puzzle to figure out a mystery word.

United Streaming: Forensics Movie Worksheet (PDF)- Students complete this worksheet as they watch the United Streaming movie titled "Life Science: Forensics". This video is also available on the How Stuff Works website .

CHIN - Interactive Investigator (PDF) - Students explore different areas of a crime scene to collect evidence and answer questions to earn points. An answer key is provided for this worksheet. This site is listed on the Forensic Science page at the Kid Zone

CSI Web Adventures - Rookie Training - Students complete this worksheet and learn how evidence is analyzed in a crime lab as they work through the different sections of rookie training.
NOTE: If your students take more than 1 day to complete this assignment, you may want to make question 5 optional as students cannot save their progress and will have to redo all the labs to access this information.

Investigation Discovery (PDF) - Use this worksheet to explore two of the interactive areas of the Investigation Discovery website - Crime Scene Tour and Forensics Lab Tour.

Memory Match Game (PDF) - This game challenges a student's ability to remember what they've seen as they examine cards with a variety of patterns on them.  Game rules and pattern cards are provided in the download.

CSI Effect -
CSI Effect - A good article to start a discussion on real forensic science vs. TV versions.
Science Friday: Finding Fault with Forensics - Visit this page for more information on the topic and a podcast to share with your students.
Yale Law Journal - The CSI Effect: Fact or Fiction - This article explores the effect of the CSI TV shows on jury perceptions of a case and the presented evidence. Also read the Is the CSI Effect Good Science? article for more information on this topic. 

Back to top

Unit 2: Physical Evidence
(UPDATED June 2009)

During this unit students explore the various types of physical evidence that can be found at a crime scene and learn how they are used to help investigators. I usually do the introductory lesson to provide an overview of many types of physical evidence and then spend time investigating several of them in more detail, such as fingerprints, impression evidence (tire tracks), hairs & fibers, chromatography, and blood evidence.

Introductory Presentation: Power of Evidence: Physical Evidence (PPT)
Student Worksheet: Physical Evidence Student Notes (PDF)

Reference Card:  Power of Evidence: Physical Evidence Card (PDF) - This two-sided handout replaces the worksheet listed above.
Questions about the reference cards? See the note at the top of this page.

Review: Power of Evidence Review (PDF) and Power of Evidence Review Key (PPT)

Quiz: Power of Evidence Quiz (PDF)

NOTE: The review and quiz materials listed above covers impression evidence, hairs & fibers, and chromatography. Separate review and quiz materials are available for Fingerprinting Basics and Blood Basics. 


Other Physical & Trace Evidence Resources:

United Streaming: Value of Evidence Movie Worksheet (PDF)- Students complete this worksheet as they watch the United Streaming video segment titled "Value of Evidence" It is a segment from the "Forensic Detectives: Mysteries & Solutions" movie. The video segment is available at the How Stuff Works website.

Trace Evidence Online (PDF)- Visit the Forensic Science page at the Kid Zone for the sites.

Power of Evidence Challenge (PDF) - Challenge your students to this word search/scramble using terms discussed in the Power of Evidence presentation.

Forensic Files - , Students complete the worksheets as they watch the various episodes from Forensic Files DVD. The DVD set is available for rent from Netflix and may be found at online stores. Worksheets (includes answer key) are available for the following episodes: Tourist Trap (PDF), Past Lives (PDF), Zodiac Killer (PDF), Over & Out (PDF) 
Also available ....Forensic Files Video Worksheet (PDF) - Thanks to Luann Snider for submitting this worksheet that can be used with any of the Forensic Files episodes.

Christmas Cookie Mystery - Use this lesson listed on the Chemistry Lessons page to investigate white powders. The lesson can be adapted to fit any holiday in order to be used at other times of the year.

Murder & a Meal (PDF) - Thanks to Camron Stanley for sharing this lab investigating the science of vomit!  The download includes student worksheets and teacher notes.

ACS Chem Matters - Glass: More Than Meets the Eye (PDF) - A great article exploring the use of glass as evidence. A teacher's guide (DOC) is also available.

Back to top

Fingerprinting Basics
(UPDATED June 2009)

During this unit students learn how to identify the different fingerprint patterns as well as other details that help investigators match fingerprints. They are able to practice making and lifting prints and are challenged to match unknown and known in the Fingerprint Challenge. I purchased ink pads, black powder, brushes, and other materials to make several kits to allow students to work in small groups. See the list of supply companies at the bottom of this page.

NOTE:  I highly recommend the magnetic fingerprint wands and dust if you have the money available to purchase them. They are less messy than the traditional black powder and fiber brushes.

Presentation #1: Fingerprinting Basics (PPT)
Worksheets: Fingerprinting Basics Student Notes (PDF), My Prints (PDF)

Presentation #2: Science of Ridges (PPT)
Worksheet: Science of Ridges Student Notes (PDF)

Presentation #3: Latent Prints (PPT)
Worksheet:  Latent Prints Student Notes (PDF)

Reference Card:  Fingerprint Basics Card (PDF) - This two-sided handout replaces the worksheets for all of the fingerprint lessons.
Questions about the reference cards? See the note at the top of this page.

Fingerprint Guide (PDF) - This one-page handout includes examples for all of the ridge patterns and characteristics discussed in the fingerprinting lessons.

Review: Fingerprint Review Basic (PDF) or Fingerprint Review (PDF) and Fingerprint Review Key (PPT)

Quizzes: Fingerprint Quiz Basic (PDF) or Fingerprint Quiz (PDF)

Other Fingerprinting Resources:

Fingerprints Online (PDF) - I use this worksheet after the first presentation. Visit the Forensic Science page at the Kid Zone for the sites.

Fingerprint Challenge (PDF) - Students use their investigative skills to match fingerprint samples.

Fingerprint Analysis (PPT) - I use this activity with my students to analyze the distribution of fingerprint patterns in each class. After students complete the My Prints worksheet and classify their prints, they complete the top section of the Fingerprint Analysis worksheet. We calculate the percentages for each pattern and discuss how it relates to the expected percentages presented in class. We also analyze the distribution of patterns for males vs. females and discuss the results after students have completed the bottom section of the worksheet.

My Toe Prints worksheet (PDF) - Students are always interested in examining their toe prints to see how they compare to their fingerprints. Instead of using the incapax from the fingerprint unit, the students create their own "ink" by rubbing pencils on an index card and then pressing it to their toes. They use a piece of clear tape to lift the print and tape it to the correct spot on the worksheet.

Back to top

Impression Evidence
(UPDATED June 2009)

I use this presentation to introduce the topic of impression evidence and then students investigate tire tracks, tool marks, and shoe prints.

Introductory Presentation: Impression Evidence (PPT)
Worksheet: Impression Evidence Notes (PDF)

Reference Card:  Impression Evidence (PDF) - This handout replaces the student worksheet for the introductory presentation and may be used as a guide for the challenges listed below.
Questions about the reference cards? See the note at the top of this page.

Tire Tracks Challenge (PDF) - This lesson idea was submitted by Sandy Powell, a member of the Middle School Science Yahoo Group. The activity challenges students to match tire tracks of 8-10 small toy cars. Teacher information, a student worksheet, and a sample page of my challenge are provided in the download.  A PowerPoint is available to introduce the activity and challenge.

Tool Marks Challenge (PDF) - This activity challenges students to match tool impressions from a set of 12 tools. Teacher information and a student worksheet are provided in the download. Also available ... my challenge page and a PowerPoint to introduce the activity and challenge.

Coming Soon ... Shoe Prints Activity

Back to top

Hairs & Fibers
(UPDATED June 2009)

Hairs & Fibers (PPT) - I use this presentation to introduce the use of hairs and fibers as evidence. This unit includes an "up close" look at hairs and fibers using microscopes and an assortment of prepared slides. At the end of the lesson, I have students complete the Hair & Fiber Challenge to test their ability to identify various samples.

Hairs & Fibers Note Worksheet (PDF) - Student worksheet for the presentation.

Reference Card:  Hairs & Fibers (PDF) - This two-sided handout replaces the student worksheet for the presentation.
Questions about the reference cards? See the note at the top of this page.

Hair Lab Worksheet (PDF) - Students examine their own hair sample as well as other animal hairs to complete this worksheet.

Hair & Fiber ID Lab Worksheet (PDF) -Students use microscopes to draw pictures of 6 hair and 6 fiber samples.
NOTE: I created slide sets of 9 animal hairs and 6 fibers for students to use for this activity. A worksheet for this number of samples is also available.

Hair & Fiber Challenge (PDF) - I used my microscope camera to capture images of the various hairs and fibers the students observed in class. I printed several sets of this worksheet on card stock and laminated them to keep them for future classes. I challenge the students to use their notes and observation pages to identify each one.

Back to top

Chromatography
(UPDATED June 2009)

During this lesson students learn about the use of chromatography in crime investigations and use paper chromatography to test black markers. At the end of the unit, I use four of the tested markers to create a Mystery Pen challenge. The students test the four mystery markers and compare them to the samples they previously tested. The challenge is set up as a race to see which student team can be the first to correctly identify them.

Presentation: Chromatography (PPT)
Worksheet: Chromatography Notes (PDF)

Reference Card:  Chromatography Basics (PDF) - This two-sided handout replaces the student worksheet for the presentation.
Questions about the reference cards? See the note at the top of this page.

Also try this one ... Permanent Marker Chromatography - We used permanent markers and rubbing alcohol to "decorate" our lab aprons or white t-shirts that the students brought to class.

Back to top

Blood Basics
(UPDATED June 2009)

During this unit students learn about the basics of blood evidence. From the composition of blood and blood types to bloodstain pattern analysis, students investigate how blood evidence can be used in a crime investigation. I use simulated blood samples purchased from Ward's. See the list of supply companies at the bottom of this page.

Presentation #1: Blood Basics (PPT)
Worksheet: Blood Basics Student Notes (PDF)

Presentation #2: "Ernie's Exit" Blood Typing Lab (PPT)
Worksheet: Blood Typing (PDF) (Includes teacher notes)

Need a cheaper version of the Blood Typing Lab? The version listed below uses milk, vinegar, and water instead of the regular simulated blood kits available from the science supply companies.
Presentation: "Ernie's Exit" Blood Typing Lab - "Cheap" Version (PPT)
Worksheet: Blood Typing Basics - "Cheap" Version (PDF) (Includes teacher notes)

Presentation #3: Bloodstain Science (PPT)
Worksheet: Bloodstain Science Student Notes & Lab (PDF) & Angle Guide (PDF) (Needed for Part 4 of lab)
Need some fake blood?  Watch the "Bloody Good Job" video clip at the Science Channel website to learn how to make a batch!

Review: Blood Basics Review (PDF) and Blood Basics Review Key (PPT)

Quiz: Blood Basics Quiz (PDF)


Other Resources for Blood Evidence:

Blood Basics Online (PDF) - UPDATED NOV 2008 - I use this worksheet after the first presentation to reinforce the topics discussed and reinforce the concepts in blood typing after we've done the classroom blood typing lab. The sites are listed on the Forensic Science page at the Kid Zone
NOTE: The Genes & Blood Typing website has changed. I have put the direct links for each section of this worksheet on the Forensic Science page or the kids can use the site's search option to find the information they need.

ACS Chem Matters - Forensics of Blood (PDF) - A great article exploring the use of blood in forensic science. A teacher's guide (DOC) is also available.

Also available ... Blood Typing Booklet - Thanks to Christina Beatty for sharing her booklet that she uses with her students to help them understand blood typing.
Materials:  Blood Typing Booklet, Booklet Cut-Outs, and Booklet Key

Back to top

Unit 3: Forensic Entomology June 2009

During this unit students learn about forensic entomology and its use in investigating crime scenes.

Introductory Presentation: Forensic Entomology (PPT)

Worksheet: Forensic Entomology Student Notes (PDF)

Reference Card:  Forensic Entomology Card (PDF) - This two-sided handout replaces the worksheet for the entomology lesson.
Questions about the reference cards? See the note at the top of this page.


Online Lessons & Resources for Forensic Entomology:

Crime Solving Insects (PDF) - This unit from the 4-H organization provides a wealth of information for teaching forensic entomology.
Notes: 
1 - I have developed a PowerPoint presentation, activity card (notes on front & lab page on back), and case cards to go along with this unit. I set up 6 "evidence" packets for each of the four cases - pipe cleaner samples of "maggots" and "pupae" along with a case card. I laminated the activity cards and students will use overhead markers to record their data and write the answers to the questions.
2 - I also did the optional activity outlined in the unit over the summer to provide real maggot and pupa samples for the students to examine as we disscussed the Forensic Entromology PPT. I collected a variety of maggots (species and sizes) as well as pupa and preserved them in glass vials with 50% isopropyl alcohol.

Forensic Entomology Unit - An excellent resource for junior high and high school students; includes background information, case studies, and a game involving forensic entomology.

Yellowstone Mystery (DOC) - This document includes background information, a case for students to solve, and other resources. Visit the CSI: Wyoming webpage for more great resources.

Visible Proofs: Entomology in Action - This lesson introduces students to the blow fly's life cycle and the accumulated degree hour (ADH) used by forensic entomologists for estimating the time of death.

Introduction to Forensic Entomology (PPT) - This presentation contains a wealth of information and would be useful for upper-level students.

Back to top

Unit 4: Arson Investigation

Through the help of our local fire department, students explore the basics of fire science and arson investigation. I also include lessons on fire safety and reinforce the fact that playing with fires can cause major damage and deaths. If possible, have a member of your local fire department present a fire safety program for your students. Visit the FEMA website for a good brochure on Children and Fire.

Presentation: Fire Science (PPT)
Worksheet: Fire Science (PDF)

Unit Review: Fire Basics Review (PDF) and Fire Basics Review Answer Key (PPT) - Thanks to Christopher Hunter for sharing these materials.
Unit Assessment: Fire Basics Quiz (PDF) - Thanks to Christopher Hunter for sharing this quiz.

Other Resources:
Flame Test
Flame Test Video at YouTube
Fire Safety Checklist from http://www.sparky.org/family.html

Back to top

Unit 5: Accident Reconstruction

During this unit students investigate Newton's Laws of Motion to analyze an accident scene to determine the sequence of events that lead up to the accident, explain damage resulting from the accident, and "solve" cases. I use activities from CRASH: The Science of Collisions, which is a great unit investigating the science behind accidents available through http://www.legalsciences.com/.  

NOTE: The CRASH: The Science of Collisions unit is geared towards the high school level, but several of the activities targeting Newton's Laws can be used at the junior high level. Our district purchased the CRASH kit and I share it with the high school physics teacher. Many of the lessons could also be incorporated into driver's education classes. It is pricey at $995, but check with your local community groups, police/fire departments, or insurance companies for possible funding assistance. Also check out the Physics of Automobile Crashes book available from the same site for $29.00.

Other Resources:
Understanding Car Crashes: It's Basic Physics - Lessons and a DVD are available for $35 from this site. Scroll down the page to find the information.
It's a Crash Test Dummy (PDF) - A great unit exploring Newton's First Law.

Back to top

CSI Adventure July 2009

I developed this geocaching activity for use with the CSI summer camp program at the Smithsonian in DC. For this activity, teams of students use GSP receivers to find 10 "evidence" caches. Each cache contains a cache card with 3-4 questions the students must answer or tasks they need complete. Each cache has a different theme and relate to the material the students investigated during the camp. After a team completes a cache and has all the correct answers, they are provided with a clue card that will help them determine the next waypoint in the adventure.

Materials:
Teacher Information (PDF)
CSI Adventure Presentation (PPT)
Cache Cards (PDF)
Clue Cards (PDF)
Group Answer Sheet (PDF)
Answer Key (PDF)

Back to top

Supply Companies - The links below are provided to give teachers information about the forensic science supplies I use with my classes.

My Supply list - Includes links to the supply companies and item numbers along with the amounts of each I purchased for my classes.

Ward's - A large selection of resources for a forensic science class, including the Forensic Detectives Lab I use in my classes. I also purchase my simulated blood kits from them.

Educational Innovations - Visit the "Forensic Kits" area for the Ward's Forensic Detectives Lab that includes an assortment of materials and the FACES software I use for facial composites. I have also had good luck with their Perfect Ink fingerprint ink pads listed on the "Genuine Forensic & Crime Scene Materials" page.

Court TV Online Store - I use the Choice & Consequences video as well as clips from the shows available on the Forensic Files DVD.

Lynn Peavey - My source for fingerprint brushes and other fingerprinting equipment. Good prices and service!

Cafe Press - My favorite site for CSI t-shirts!

Precision Forensic Testing - Visit this site for an assortment of great kits for your forensic science program.

Mystery of Lyle & Louise - This site offers an assortment of kits to present forensic science concepts in a way your students can enjoy.

Back to top