How do various types of evidence and fundamental forensic skills contribute to the investigative process?
Critical Thinking: Analyzing different types of evidence requires discerning judgment and logical reasoning.
Responsibility: Understanding the ethical implications of handling evidence emphasizes the importance of integrity in forensic science.
What are the different types of evidence (physical, circumstantial, trace, biological) and how do they each contribute to solving crimes?
How has the field of forensics evolved historically, and what major milestones have influenced its development?
What are the foundational skills and tools required for a forensic scientist or crime scene investigator, and how do they apply in real-world investigations?
tudents will classify and understand the significance of various types of evidence in forensic science.
Students will gain historical context for forensic science, recognizing key developments that have shaped the discipline.
Students will identify and demonstrate basic forensic skills and the use of essential tools, understanding their application in crime scene investigation.
Assessments and Activities:
Evidence Type Analysis: Activity where students categorize different pieces of evidence and discuss their impact on an investigation.
Forensic Science Timeline: Create a timeline highlighting significant milestones in the history of forensics, including notable cases and technological advancements.
Forensic Toolkit Exploration: Hands-on or virtual lab where students learn about and practice using tools essential to crime scene investigation and evidence analysis.
Reflection and Activation:
Reflect on the unique role each type of evidence plays in solving crimes. Which type of evidence do you think is most challenging to work with, and why?
Investigate and present on a historical case that marked a turning point in the use of forensic science. How did it change the field?
Explore different careers in forensicÂ
HS-LS1-2: Develop and use models to illustrate the hierarchical organization of interacting systems that provide specific functions within multicellular organisms. This standard can be linked to understanding how various types of evidence, such as biological evidence, interact within the larger scope of forensic investigations.
HS-LS3-3: Apply concepts of statistics and probability to explain the variation and distribution of expressed traits in a population. This standard supports the understanding of how trace evidence, like DNA, can vary and be used to identify individuals or link them to crime scenes.
HS-PS2-3: Apply scientific principles to design a method for monitoring and minimizing a human impact on the environment. This can relate to the forensic investigation process, emphasizing the importance of preserving crime scenes and minimizing contamination of evidence.
HS-PS3-3: Design, build, and refine a device that works within given constraints to convert one form of energy into another form of energy. This could be applied to the tools and technology used in forensic science to analyze evidence, such as using chemical reactions to detect substances or utilizing equipment to analyze fingerprints.
HS-ETS1-2: Design a solution to a complex real-world problem by breaking it down into smaller, more manageable problems that can be solved through engineering. This standard aligns with the process of investigating a crime scene, where forensic scientists use various skills and tools to analyze different types of evidence, breaking down the complex problem of solving the crime into manageable tasks.
[Our Hidden Google Drive Resource link]