March Forensic Science Lesson Plans Date

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  Using microscopy, distinguish between different types of fibers.
  

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  Solve a crime by comparing fiber characteristics
  

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  Discuss fibers notes
  
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  “Picking up the Pieces” Lab- (A lab on Fiber Analysis) : Part 1- Microscope analysis of fibers; Part 2- Behavior of fibers in flame
  

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  Differentiate between 3 types of soils.
  
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  Analyze the pH, color, and texture of different soils
  
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  Operate a stereoscopic microscope
  

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  Hair and Fiber Quiz (10 mins)
  
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  Read through “Soil Analysis” Lab (15 mins): What is pH? Using the Vernier Interfaces and pH probes to gather data
  
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  Soil Analysis Lab (50 mins)- Analyze 3 soil samples- color, particle size, pH, etc.
  

MSCS 3: BM 1

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  Identify the ways glass is analyzed as trace evidence
  
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  Define refractive index and density
  
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  Describe how bullet hole patterns in glass can solve a crime
  

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  Glass as Trace Evidence (15 mins): Bullet holes in glass- determine bullet order and what side of the glass the bullet went through, Fracture Matching, Light Bulb filaments- Was the light on or off?
  
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  Bullet Hole Order Lab (30 mins)
  
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  Notes- PPT- glass, paint, and other trace evidence (20 mins)
  
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  Demo: Refractive index water vs. glycerin (glass stirring rods)
  

MSCS 2: BM 4

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  Define density and apply its equation to determine the mass, the volume, or the density of an object.
  
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  Measure the density of different glass samples to solve a crime scene scenario
  

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  Review Glass as Trace Evidence
  
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  Mystery Canisters lab (30 mins)
  
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  Density notes- equation, How to find mass and volume, How does density relate to trace evidence?- glass
  
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  Glass Density Lab (30 mins)- Lab worksheet
  

MSCS 2: BM 4

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  Explain how trace evidence was key to finding and convicting a suspect in a historical case study (Atlanta Child Murders).
  
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  Identify the types of trace evidence and discuss the methods used to analyze trace evidence.
  

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  Atlanta Child Murders Case Study (30 mins)- Read case study; Questions: Summarize the case study, How is trace evidence involved in this case study?
  
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  Trace Evidence Webquest (online Forensics lab) (45 mins)
  
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  Test Review: Trace Evidence
  

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  Evaluate student knowledge of trace evidence
  

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  Test (40 mins)
  
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  Read “Firearms” and complete Question Sheet (20 mins)- Types of firearms, Components of a cartridge case, Definition of ballistics
  

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  Identify the types of firearms
  
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  Describe the components of a cartridge
  
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  Explain ballistics and identify how it can be used to solve a crime
  

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  Begin Chapter 4: Firearms- Pre-assessment (10 mins)
  

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  Firearms and ballistics notes- PPT (30 mins)- Notes and Video shorts
  
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  Bullet Comparison Activity (30 mins)
  

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  List examples of different types of forces, as they pertain to ballistics
  
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  Describe situations that illustrate Newton’s three laws of motion
  

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  Ballistics Notes/Discussion (75 mins)
  
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  Forces acting on a bullet- Internal ballistics, External ballistics, Terminal ballistics, Newton’s Laws of motion
  
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  Ballistics/Physics Webquest (60 mins)- How does gravity impact a bullet? How does muzzle velocity impact a bullet? Forces acting on a bullet
  

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  List examples of different types of forces, as they pertain to ballistics
  
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  Describe situations that illustrate Newton’s three laws of motion
  
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  Use angles and trigonometry to determine missing variables in a ballistics problem
  

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  Review ballistics; turn in webquest
  
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  Discussion: What variables can be learned from a bullet hole embedded in a wall? (20 mins)
  
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  Discuss angles and their importance in determining bullet trajectory Trigonometry- finding missing variables SOHCAHTOA (Sin, Cosine, and Tangent)
  
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  Trigonometry practice problems (20 mins)
  
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  Begin “Where’s the Shooter Lab” (35 mins)
  
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  Use a protractor to find angles
  

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  Evaluate student understanding over unit
  
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  List examples of different types of forces, as they pertain to ballistics
  
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  Describe situations that illustrate Newton’s three laws of motion
  

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  Review Ballistics and Firearms (10 mins)
  
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  Firearms and Ballistics Qest (30 mins)
  
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  CSI Facts vs. Fallacies
  

MSCS 1: BM 2