Forensic Science in Action: From Crime Scene to Courtroom

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Grant Newman
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1 : minutes Teacher Notes: Stuart McLachlan B.Sc. (Hons), Dip.Ed. Program Synopsis This program takes students on a step-by-step journey through the forensic investigation of a murder, after a body is discovered near a railway line. A dramatised comparison is made with television crime shows, highlighting in particular the disparate timelines between reality and fiction for solving a crime. The three main areas of field science, laboratory science and medical forensics are applied in this program to the particular case of the murder investigation, and the specific roles of the people involved are discussed. The importance of correct procedures in the collection and examination of evidence are emphasised, as is the amount of time it often takes for results to be obtained and the fact that the evidence does not always lead to an arrest. The investigation progresses from the crime scene, through laboratory and coronial examinations such as fingerprinting and an autopsy, to the presenting of evidence in a court of law. Here it is finally emphasised that forensic scientists need to be thorough, precise and able to present scientific evidence in a simplified way in order for a conviction to be possible. The program contains a mix of dramatisations and footage of real forensic techniques, as well as interviews with a police investigator, a toxicologist and a pathologist.

A dramatised comparison is made with television crime shows, highlighting in particular the disparate timelines between reality and fiction for solving a crime.

2 Introduction Television crime dramas that contain forensic investigation, such as Quincy M.E., have been around for a long time. In more recent times, however, their increased prevalence and popularity has caused many myths and misconceptions about forensic science to circulate through popular culture. This program aims to demystify forensic science and to show students what it is really like to be a part of this important branch of scientific endeavour. Those students who do not know much about forensics will learn a lot from this program, while those who are already perhaps considering a career in forensics will be able to make even better informed choices about their future. Program Rationale This program is aimed at years 9 and 10 students who will be studying such topics as: The Scientific Method, How Scientists Work and Genetics as part of Stage 5 of the NSW science syllabus. The program is intended to provide a working knowledge of the important field of forensic science and to debunk some of the misconceptions arising from television crime dramas. The program is an excellent example of real-life application of scientific techniques, and could also be used for extension classes in Stage 5 science. Program Timeline 00:00:00 Introduction 00:03:53 Chapter 1 Collection of evidence 00:08:42 Chapter 2 Examination of evidence 00:13:47 Chapter 3 Examination of the victim 00:17:13 Chapter 4 Giving evidence 00:20:02 Credits Useful Resources Books and Other Print Resources Forensic Casebook: The Science of Crime Scene Investigation (Genge) Forensic Science for High Schools (Jolley) Cracking More Cases: The Forensic Science of Solving Crime (Lee & O'neil) Related Programs All About Forensic Science For more information please visit or contact customer service at

This program aims to demystify forensic science and to show students what it is really like to be a part of this important branch of scientific endeavour.

3 Program Worksheet Before the Program 1. Have a class discussion about the differences between real-life forensic science and that seen on TV shows such as CSI and Law and Order. Write down some of the main differences in your exercise book in two columns headed Real-life Forensics and Television Forensics. 2. Familiarise yourself with some of the terminology used in forensic science by completing one or two of the crosswords from resources such as Forensic Science for High Schools blackline masters

4 During the Program 1. What is the purpose of sealing off the crime scene? 2. Why is evidence photographed before it is removed from the crime scene? 3. How would lawyers be able to determine if a piece of evidence is inadmissible in a court case? 4. What types of surfaces is fingerprint dusting suitable for? How is the fingerprint lifted? 5. In DNA profiling, what do the forensic laboratory scientists use to: a) Cut the DNA into fragments? b) Separate the fragments to form a profile? 6. Name the three types of fingerprint patterns. 7. What causes the greenish tinge on a dead person s skin from about 48 hours after death? 8. What is the alternative name for an autopsy? 9. Why would a forensic examiner investigate the size, shape and overall appearance of wounds on a body? 10. Why do forensic scientists need to be able to present scientific evidence in a simplified way in court? - 4 -

5 After the Program 1. In small groups, choose a surface or material that is different to all other groups. Press your fingers against the chosen surface, then dust with fine carbon powder (or perhaps talc) and lift off the fingerprints with clear adhesive tape. These pieces of tape can be stuck into your exercise books and labelled. As a class, compare the suitability and effectiveness of this technique among different surfaces. 2. In small groups, using a dropping pipette and some red food dye to represent blood, try different methods for creating blood spatter patterns on a sheet of butcher s paper (e.g. different drop heights, sloping paper, sideways-moving drops, or spatter from a swung object such as a pencil dipped in dye). Get students from another group to try to guess how your patterns were created. The patterns can then be copied or pasted into your exercise books, with labels stating how they were made. 3. In small groups or individually, prepare and perform a DNA extraction experiment such as that found at:

These pieces of tape can be stuck into your exercise books and labelled. As a class, compare the suitability and effectiveness of this technique among different surfaces. 2.

Forensic Science : Course Syllabus Forensic Science : Secrets of the Dead

Forensic Science : Course Syllabus Forensic Science : Secrets of the Dead COURSE DESCRIPTION: Fingerprints. Blood spatter. DNA analysis. The world of law enforcement is increasingly making use of the techniques