Blood Evidence Activities
Blood evidence can be analyzed as either biological or physical evidence, making it a powerful specimen for teaching forensics across multiple disciplines. Using biology concepts, investigators can use blood to identify individuals by blood type and DNA. When a suspected sample of blood is discovered at a crime scene, real world applications of chemistry such […]
Development of Latent Fingerprints with Silver Nitrate
Background Three types of fingerprints can be found at a crime scene–plastic, visible, and latent. Plastic impressions are fingerprints left in soft materials such as butter, soap, and putty. Visible prints are prints made when fingers are covered in a substance like blood, dirt, or paint, which leaves a mark on a surface. Latent prints are not visible to the human […]
Forensics
Forensics is the interdisciplinary application of science to investigate and analyze evidence of historical, and most often criminal, events. In the classroom, training forensic scientists requires preparing students to be able to identify, compare, and analyze a breadth of evidence types using skills across biology, chemistry, and physics.
Nashville Middle Schoolers Dream Big with Summer Forensics Camp
Science educators at the Metro Nashville Public Schools were looking for something different for their 2021 middle school summer camp. Something that would really grab students’ attention, challenge them, and be fun. The answer? Crime scene investigation forensics! The camp was spearheaded by Dr. Jeannie Whitlock, STEAM Instructional Designer, and Deanna Privette, Coordinator of Professional […]
Forensics
Make Real-World Connections and Engage Students When crime scene investigators collect and analyze evidence from the scene of a crime, they are applying forensic science. By using tools from physical science, biology, and math, investigators are able to recreate and analyze the elements of a crime scene. Forensic science allows law enforcement officials to determine […]
Top 5 Reasons to Teach Forensics
Have you considered bringing forensics into your classroom? Consider these 5 reasons you should teach this science. 1. Make a real-world connection Teaching forensic science is a simple and impactful way to bring the real world into your classroom. Your students are probably familiar with forensics from the news, TV shows, and online articles. Forensics […]
How to take crime scene photos like a professional investigator
Here we break down essential forensic photography techniques and terms you should know about. Investigators and witnesses can describe crime scenes, sometimes in great detail. However, photographs can better tell the story with objectivity. They freeze time and leave a permanent record of the scene. Despite its advantages, photography remains the least understood and least […]
Give Your Students Real-World Experiences with Authentic CSI Tools
Authentic tools make all the difference in forensic lessons. Forensic curriculum Professional forensic work requires an understanding of the scientific and mathematical principles involved in the methods used. As such, forensic science lessons serve as an excellent opportunity for teachers to communicate STEM principles to students. Let’s look at a few examples from modern forensic […]