Description: This is a Lab based event. Teams will be given a crime scenario which they will be asked to solve based on evidence they gather and test. Types of testing may include identification of white powders,, fingerprint/ shoe print/ tire tread analysis, chromatography, etc. Teams will then be asked to analyze the information they have gathered to identify a suspect and solve the crime.
Materials:
Teams MUST bring chemical splash goggles and a writing instrument. Teams may also bring small containers or reaction plates for mixing, filter paper, droppers, funnels, something for scooping, pH or litmus paper, thermometer, flame test equipment, a magnet, a hand lens, microscope slides and cover slips, forceps or tweezers, a pencil (for chromatograms), a NON-programmable calculator and paper towels. Each team may also bring one 8.5 x 11" two sided page of notes. A 9 volt conductivity tester wil not be needed since there is no water testing in NC.
***SAFETY ISSUE*** In addition to OSHA approved chemical splash goggles with indirect vents, teams also MUST wear closed toed shoes, pants/skirts that cover legs to the ankle, AND a lab coat/apron that reaches below the knee or they will not be allowed to participate. In addition, any teams seen handling materials in an unsafe manner will be disqualified from the event. ***SAFETY ISSUE***
Event Leaders will provide a proper lab environment, all evidence to be collected, additional equipment necessary to perform tests on the evidence, the official test and answer sheet.
Scoring:
High score wins. Points are earned for proper identification of evidence as well as analysis of the crime. Ties will be broken by the best analysis of the crime. Section 3.b. (Water Testing) will NOT be tested in NC. Points will be redistributed as follows: 3.a. 30%, 3.c. 20%, 3.d. 20% 3.e. 30%
Common Mistakes:
- Be sure to follow all safety requirements! Safety issues will NOT be arbitrated.
- Event leaders will not answer questions on testing procedures (for example- how to perform a burn test on powders) nor will they provide a copy of the rules or a list of the possible unknowns. Teams should already know procedure, and should include a list of the possible unknowns in their allowed notes if they cannot remember. Event leaders WILL answer safety questions, and stop students from performing a test in an unsafe manner.
Recommendations:
- This event has many tasks involved. Be sure to perform ones that require 'sitting' time first (such as paper chromatography).
FIBER AND POLYMER KITS:
FIBERS AND POLYMERS ARE NOT IN THE 2010 RULES. However, for those who teach forensics in the classroom, NC is continuing to offer a complete kit containing the following fibers: Cotton, Polyester, Nylon, Wool, Spandex, Silk, Linen and the following polymers: PETE, HDPE, PVC, LDPE, PP, PS, PMMA, and PC. Each kit contains enough of each material to perform several tests. It is $20.00 and includes a sample of all 7 fibers and all 8 polymers that are typically used in the CrimeBuster or Forensics event. The kit comes with basic instructions as well. See link at top of page for more info.
Event Resources:
Forensics Notes
2007 NC Coaches Institute Presentation
DNA Extraction and Quantitation for Forensic Analysts
A Sample Flow Chart for Forensics
Blood Splatter Analysis
Fingerprints-general information
Forensics/Crime Busters Websites
Rf values help
http://www.maggotsfrommurders.com
http://www.courttv.com/forensics_curriculum/
http://www.exploreforensics.com/
http://www.virtualmuseum.ca/Exhibitions/Myst/en/index.html
Sample Events:
Wright Center for Science Education Sample Events
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