This is the second unit in a high school Forensic Science course. In this unit students begin to master the skills needed to handle evidence. When a crime has been committed and a crime scene is identified, the Crime Scene Investigators (CSIs) are called in to process the scene. Students learn the steps that CSIs take to document and preserve the details at the scene. Students earn a badge as they become expert in the skills needed to be a CSI.
You can download the latest version of this unit plan now as a Google doc or a PDF
Objectives:
Students will be able to:
- Plan steps to take when processing a crime scene
- Identify packaging required for certain types of evidence
- Document and photograph a crime scene
- Isolate, record, and search for evidence
- Preserve chain of custody
- Understand the limitations of eyewitness accounts
- Explore career opportunities in forensic investigation
NGSS Standards:
| SEP1 | Asking Questions and Defining Problems |
| SEP2 | Developing and Using Models |
| SEP3 | Planning and Carrying Out Investigations |
| SEP8 | Obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information |
| CCC2 | Cause and Effect |
Common Core ELA Standards:
| RCA-ST.11-12.4 | Determine the meaning of general academic vocabulary as well as symbols, notations, key terms and other domain-specific words and phrases as they are used in a specific scientific or technical context to grades 11-12 text and topics |
| RCA-ST.11-12.7 | Integrate and evaluate multiple sources of information presented in diverse formats and media in order to address a question or solve a problem |
| RCA-ST.11-12.9 | Synthesize information from a range of sources into a coherent understanding of a process, phenomenon, or concept, resolving conflicting information when possible |
| RCA-ST.11-12.10 | Independently and proficiently read and comprehend science/technical texts exhibiting complexity appropriate for the grade/course |
Vocabulary
Crime Scene Protocols link to: vocabulary document or to quizlet
| Trace evidence | Locard’s Exchange Principle | Medical Examiner | Detective |
| Specialist | Crime Scene | Primary crime scene | Secondary crime scene |
| First Responding Officer | Conditional evidence | Paper Bindle | Chain-of-Custody |
Schedule
**Each day the class meets for 90 minutes
| Day 1: | Observation Skills notes and activity
Introduce Careers in Forensics Blog Project |
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| Day 2: | Lecture: Crime Scene Protocols with note guide
Making a Paper bindle: Youtube video and student mastery Vocabulary Quizlet: practice! Use extra time and for homework |
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| Day 3: | Project: Documenting a Crime Scene | |||
| Day 4: | Independent Work Day:
Create Crime Scene Documentation Presentation Post Careers in Forensics Summaries and comment on 2 other careers Practice vocabulary terms in Quizlet |
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| Day 5: | Presentations: Documenting a Crime Scene
Crime Scene Protocols Test |
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Daily Lesson Plans
Click on a day to open the full lesson plan document:
Day 1: Observation Skills & Careers in Forensics
Day 2: Crime Scene Protocols
Day 3: Documenting a Crime Scene
Day 4: Independent Work Day
Day 5: Assessment
*Each lesson plan is written for a 90-minute class, make adjustments based on different class times.
Activities & Resources
The documents linked throughout this unit plan are free to use and share. Aside from the TPT resources, everything in the list below is freely available.
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Forensics Crime Scene Pinterest Page (my curated links to many, many helpful resources for this unit) |
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Observation Skills Note Guide to Accompany FREE Prezi
Observation Skills Lecture Presentation and Note Guide Careers in Forensics Blog Post Research Project |
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Fight Wrongful Conviction: The Innocence Project |
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Observation Skills Prezi |
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Crime Scene Protocols Quizlet |
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