Choose an activity or do several!
Hands on Forensics- Chemistry
Chromatography:
Chromatography can be used to separate the components of a pigment or chemical in order to identify it. Watch this video to learn the steps to do your own chromatography experiment. Notice that different black markers all have different specific components that separate out and could allow a forensic chemist to identify a specific ink marking or pen used at a crime scene. Hands on Forensics- Biology
DNA Fingerprinting / How is it used in forensics? :
Extract actual DNA from fruit!
Watch the video below for instructions: |
Hands on Forensics- Physics
Anthropometric Analysis:
The study of human body measurements in order to compare size, form, and function for the purpose of identification. Crime Scene- A large gem was stolen in the middle of the night from a local jewelry store. A set of footprints were found in the snow outside of the store where a crime was committed. Evidence- The shoe-print is of a shoe, adult size 10. Suspects- #1 is 67.47" tall, #2 is 72.45" tall, #3 is 70.79" tall. Analysis- You know that using this formula for shoe size you can get an estimate for a person's height: -Height in inches = 50.87 + (1.66 x shoe size)
Anthropometric Activity-
Materials- tape measure, meter stick OR ruler & a calculator. * If you need to convert inches to centimeters you can use this formula ( # of inches X 2.54 = answer in centimeters) or visit this site for conversions: https://www.google.com/#q=inches+to+centimeters Directions- 1. Measure your height (from head to feet) in centimeters and record it on piece of paper. 2. Measure in centimeters the length of your femur bone from your hip bone to the top of your knee cap. Multiply that number by 2.317, push equal button. Add 61.412. (Height= 61.412 + (2.317 x length of femur) The answer should be roughly equal to your height in centimeters which you recorded for #1. 3. If you would like, try it again with a different body part: Measure the length of your humerus bone from your shoulder to your elbow). Multiply by 3.144 and add 64.977. (Height= 64.997 + (3.144 x length of humerus). Is it close to your height? * Interesting fact that a forensic scientist may need take into consideration: After the age of 30 a person's height decreases by .06 centimeters per year! |