Forensics

I (Caitlin) have found that my students really by into my Forensics classes. If you're having trouble with buy-in, I'd suggest incorporating some sort of crime/forensics based investigation into your unit. Forensics is the combination of all science, applied to solving crime and the law. Below i've put a bunch of links to activities I've done / worksheets and stuff that i've made. > > MY WEBQUEST ON HISTORIC FORENSIC CASES: @http://martinforensics.wikispaces.com
 * 2 week project based learning - solving a crime! A crime was committed in an elementary school classroom - $$ for a field trip was stolen! I had six different groups each working on a different center daily The module and resources took a few days to set up, but maintenance during the two weeks was very low. The final product was a TV blurb/skit explaining the evidence and analysis that each group performed. I've linked the main Australian site with all the info. I also have all of my modifications [] . Email me for my modifications/tips . Examples of the labs performed include
 * handwriting analysis
 * anthopometry (the study of human measurements - used to look at footprints to figure out how tall people were and whatnot)
 * shoeprint impressions (3D and 2D)
 * ink chromatography
 * fingerprinting
 * Blood spatter analysis - again from the same awesome australian website - blood spatter analysis involves many different mini labs. I'd also recommend showing a clip from dexter for this bit. [] Mini labs include
 * height of blood drop vs. diameter of drop (includes measurement skills)
 * angle of impact (you can tell from the shape of the drop the angle from which blood was spattered)
 * convergence (figuring out where the bleeding object was from based on where lines converge)
 * Blood stain animations - []
 * Webquests! I'm going to use the first one in the next few weeks. Im also looking for one/will be making one that incorporates famous stories.
 * http://projects.edtech. sandi.net/kearny/forensic/ index.htm
 * http://interactive-autopsy. wikispaces.com/Autopsy--A+ Forensic+Pathology+Webquest
 * http://www2.ufrsd.net/ staffwww/stefanl/Webquest/ Evidence/index.htm# introduction