Year 9 Forensic Science

Year 9 Forensic Science is a semester elective . Forensic Science is any science that is used to solve crimes, and it’s results are used in courts of law. It is based on the belief that whenever contact is made, there is always some exchange of material.

Learning in this subject will focus on:

• How science can be used to help solve crimes

• Using a microscope to interpret evidence

• Explaining how fingerprints are made and how they are collected from the crime scene

• Describing the differences between natural and synthetic fibres, and how to identify them

• Explaining how casts are made and what clues they can give the forensic scientists

• Describing the differences between blood groups

• Explaining what DNA is and how DNA fingerprinting helps to solve crimes

• Explaining how chromatography can be used by the forensic scientist

• Explaining the use of CT scanners to recreate faces and to perform autopsies.

Assessments:

• CAT  Use of microscope - investigation on the contents of students pockets using a microscope  

• CAT Types of prints and tracks left at a crime scene - Experiment: Dusting for fingerprints 

• CAT Anthropometry - Calculating a skeleton’s height  

• CAT Hair, blood and DNA - Observation and description of feathers, fur and hair 

• Semester Exam 

Further study options

• Year 10 Biology

• Year 10 Chemistry 

• VCE Chemistry

• VCE Biology

• VCE Psychology

• Bachelor of Forensic Science 

• Bachelor of Science (with a major in Forensic Science, Chemistry, or Biology) 

• Bachelor of Criminology / Criminal Justice 

• Bachelor of Biomedical Science 

• Bachelor of Psychological Science / Forensic Psychology 

• Bachelor of Law / Forensic Science (Double Degree) 

• Diploma of Laboratory Technology 

• Certificate IV in Justice Studies / Diploma of Justice 

• Certificate III in Pathology Collection / Laboratory Skills 

• Diploma of Crime and Justice Studies (select states only) 

• Certificate IV in Cyber Security (relevant for digital forensics)