Crime
Scene Investigation
How investigators use science to solve
crimes and capture miscreants. A Unit Study.
About Forensic Science
Crime Lab
Forensics is the application of science to solving crimes, and
scientists are getting really good at it. "There's no such
thing as getting away without a trace," says Jose Almirall.
"There's always evidence left behind."
Drugs, DNA, and Detectives
A high school curriculum in the the chemistry and biology of crime scene investigation. Lots of experiments that can be done at home.
Careful Collecting of Evidence
Crime Scene Investigation
A real crime scene investigation site. Learn how the experts carefully collect evidence so as
not to destroy it in the process.
Fingerprints
Dusting for Fingerprints
Fingerprints are coated with powder, then lifted and taken for
identification at the lab. This experiment uses cocoa powder.
Fingerprinting
It is easy to take your own fingerprints, though it's a bit messy
with the ink! With enough care, you can find out what sort of
fingerprints you have. You can also identify your friends from
their fingerprint!
Historic Investigations
Secrets of the Dead
Crime scene investigations meet history. A PBS series you can
also watch on TV.
How Evidence is Examined
Flame Tests
You can be an analytical chemist or forensic scientist in this
activity, by finding out what color flames different metals make,
and working out the identity of some unknown metal solutions.
Foot to Height
The bones of the feet can tell a lot about a person. What do
feet reveal about a person's height? Forensic anthropologists
team up with law enforcers to help solve crimes.
Ink Chromatography Lab
Chromatography is a method of separating out materials from a
mixture. Ink is a mixture of several dyes and therefore we can
separate those colors from one another using chromatography.
Used to determine which pen wrote the letter.
Is handwriting analysis legit science?
What's the Straight Dope on handwriting analysis? I know that
handwriting experts' testimony can be accepted in court, so there
must be something to it. But I have a hard time believing that
a smart criminal wouldn't be able to change his writing to avoid
detection.
Powder Analysis
A forensic scientist may discover powder at a crime scene. In
order to determine if it is illegal or not the crime lab will
identify the substance using chemistry.
Spy Kids
With the lessons learned during these years, Agents are trained to recognize the many tricks
that spies use: fake names, secret messages, special hiding places.
Teeth Impressions
Practice being a forensic dentist by leaving the room. One student
in the room will take a bite of thick cheese or thick chocolate.
See if you can identify the individual who took the bite by comparing
the impressions with the bite in the cheese or chocolate.
Urine Analysis
These experiments use faked urine, so don't get squeamish. The
tests are for color and odor, pH, and the presence or absence
of protein and glucose.
Now Try to Solve These Crimes
Bones and the Badge
Do you like a good mystery? Are you always first to figure out who did it and how they did it when you watch a movie or read a book? Here is your chance to become part of a team of forensic investigators. Needs a small group of kids to work together.
The Case of the Barefoot Burglar
At approximately 7:15 a.m., Friday morning, Mrs. King, the seventh
grade science teacher, thought something was fishy as she walked
down the hall and noticed that her door was open.
FBI Investigates A Strange Flashlight
Follow a case from start to finish as it makes its way through
various units of the FBI Laboratory. Every time you see the phrase,
"How did they do that?" click on the link to read the
details of how that unit processed the evidence.
Forensic Science
We're Carolyn and Kalia, and we were having a birthday party
for my sister Lizzy. Before the party began, we found Lizzy's
party set-up trashed; the cake was half-eaten, presents were
thrown everywhere, and there was even some bright red stuff dripping
off the table. We quickly shifted into detective mode, to try
to solve the mystery of who ate the birthday cake. What evidence
do you think tipped us off?
Kids' Corner
There has been a truck wreck. In fact, a different truck each
time you play. Use the clues to help solve the mysteries of their
cargo.
Kids Mysteries
Mysteries to solve, scary stories, and magic tricks.
The
Mystery Spot
Health-related mysteries for you to help solve.
NOVA Online | Killer's Trail
Welcome to the companion Web site to the NOVA program "The
Killer's Trail," in which a team of experts investigates
the forensic evidence in the 1954 murder of Marylin Sheppard,
one of the most famous unsolved crimes in the U.S.
Secrets of the Dead NEW
PBS featured interactives: Fire Investigation, Caught the Flu? and Amazon Facial Reconstruction.
Who Dunnit?
Who took a bite out of the candy? Sticky fingers have been found on the broken aquarium glass. Wet footprints lead to the open window. What is that powdery substance next to the broken piggy bank? Answering these questions is what forensic science is all about.
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