Forensic ScienceLesson Plans and Teacher Resources

Sarah Jane Cahill s3201289

Adam Roche s3303759

Rachel Zammit s3300669

ContentsIntroduction

Rational

Intergrading the Sciences

Unit Plan

Introduction to Forensic Science

Introduction to Blood Splatter Analysis

Blood Splatter Practical

Blood Types and Introduction to DNA

Fingerprints

Fingerprint Practical – Powders

Fingerprint Practical –Chemical (Ninhydrin and Iodine Fuming)

Fingerprint Practical –Chemical (Gentian violet)

Determination of an unknown substance

Unknown Substance Practical

Thin Layer Chromatography Practical

Assessment/Exam

Appendix 1

Appendix 2

Appendix 3

Appendix 4

Appendix 5

Appendix 6

Appendix 7

IntroductionSolving mysteries is a challenge many students enjoy and forensic science is used to examine evidence which in turn solve crimes. Students are commonly exposed to criminal situations in the media, both fictional and real, and are aware that forensic science is used to solve crimes. As many current television programs use the science of forensics to develop their dramas. However, students may not be aware of the techniques involved. This unit is designed to show students how forensic investigators apply scientific skills and processes in a problem-solving capacity.

The forensic science unit contains suggested essential understandings, activities, assignments, investigations, and assessments for curriculum implementation. Teachers can decide which essential understandings will allow them to address the specific learning outcomes.

RationalThe Forensic Science unit was developed to allow students to integrate a number of scientific disciplines and to practise a variety of scientific skills and processes, including making comparisons, classifications, observations, measurements, and predictions, as well as manipulating variables, and interpreting data. The unit consists of individual activities, each of which includes teacher and student references. The unit can be designed to include any activities teachers (or students) may wish to incorporate into their forensics learning experience. The student learning activities are highly variable, and can be structured and sequenced according to student interest, available materials, and local resources. Solving a crime requires the use of critical thinking skills that will integrate several science disciplines and be useful across the curriculum.

Integrating the Sciences As students explore the topic of forensic sciences, many sciences may naturally be integrated.The following table outlines suggested essential understandings and their possible connections to the major science disciplines.

Essential UnderstandingsLesson Biology Chemistry Physics Mathematics

Fingerprinting Fingerprint residue

Chemical reactions

Chemical Spot Test

Chemical reactions, Solubility

Chromatography Polarity,Solubility

CalculateRf values

Blood Analysis Blood typing Motion, Velocity Measuring,Graph

Unit PlanLesson Title Aim/Objective Assessment

1 Introduction to Forensic Science

To find out what the students already know about forensic science and what areas of forensic science they are interested in

Video review/ Homework sheet

2 Introduction to Blood Splatter Analysis

To give students an understanding of what blood splatter is and what information it can provide in solving a crime

Answer questions from slideshow/ Start Blood

group Assignment3 Blood Splatter

PracticalTo investigate how height and surface can affect blood splatter patterns

Science Report

4 Blood Types and Introduction to DNA

Students will build on their oral presentation skills and learn about DNA

Blood type group assignment and

Oral presentation5 Fingerprints To assess and increase students knowledge of the

human fingerprint and relate this to forensic science-

6 Fingerprint Practical - Powders

To show students the advancement in latent fingerprint powders since the early 1990’s

Science Report

7 Fingerprint Practical –Chemical (Ninhydrin and Iodine Fuming)

Students will preform a practical on latent fingerprints. They will use ninhydrin and iodine fuming techniques

Science Report

8 Fingerprint Practical –Chemical (Gentian

violet)

To show students how some chemicals are capable of revealing latent fingerprints

Science Report

9 Unknown Substance To introduce students to the different techniques used to identify an unknown substance and why it might be needed as part of a forensic science investigation

-

10 Unknown Substance Practical

Students are to preform a series of tests to identify an unknown substance

Science Report

11 Chromatography Practical

Students use paper chromoatography as a method of examining evidence from a crime scene. Students analyze the ink from different pens to observe they each have their own unique chromatogram

Science Report

12 Assessment To test the students knowledge and understanding of the unit

Test