Criminology Teacher Resources
Whodunnit? That’s the question young forensic scientists are here to answer—and we’ve got an array of criminology resources that are up to the task!
Brief students on the science of DNA evidence before visiting a virtual crime scene. Learners can get out their magnifying glasses to check out footprint patterns that they may come across in their sleuthing.
Want to elevate the lesson? A unit on deductive reasoning uses the setting of a crime scene investigation to put observational analysis to the test. Additionally, an online resource brings criminology to life with a series of evidence-based activities.
Learn what happens after you catch the bad guy with an interactive unit on participants in a criminal trial. It’s perfect for transitioning into the legal implications of criminology or a lesson on the legal system itself.
Whether you’ve got a class full of crime solvers or budding lawyers, Lesson Planet has what you need to enhance a science-based approach to criminology!
Showing 45 resources
Judicial Learning Center
Law and the Rule of Law
We hear a lot about the importance of the rule of law, but most people do not really know what those words mean. The lesson is a webpage that defines the rule of law, explains why it is important in a democratic society and provides...
Constitutional Rights Foundation
Criminal Justice in America
The allure of true crime television shows often leads to intrigue of the criminal justice system. Using a six-unit curriculum, learners explore criminology and the justice system in the United States. Topics include the police, trial...
Judicial Learning Center
The Judge and the Jury: Trial by Jury
Why is it so important to have a trial by jury in the American judicial system? This right is one of the hallmarks of American democracy, but it also comes with the responsibility of serving on a jury if called. Young legal scholars...
Curated OER
Murder Mystery
High schoolers examine how to capture foot prints while they simulate a criminal investigation. They discover how the clues are needed for identifying or eliminating murder suspects.
Gene Jury
DNA Detectives
Police find a man murdered in a local hotel, DNA everywhere, and now they need scholars' help. Budding detectives step into a crime scene playing the roles of victim, suspects, and investigators. They apply knowledge of criminology and...
Media Smarts
Forensic Science Crimes Dramas
How do TV shows present criminology—is it realistic? High schoolers research crime dramas and participate in class discussion about topics such as who exists as the target audience and the values the shows communicate. They also research...
Judicial Learning Center
The Power of Judicial Review
Marbury v. Madison is arguably the most important landmark case in the history of the Supreme Court. A fact-filled lesson provides background information about the case and two others related to the concept of judicial review. Scholars...
ConnectED
Crime Scene Investigation
How exactly does a crime scene investigation work? The resource, a unit on criminology, covers everything from the deductive reasoning skills needed for detectives to DNA fingerprinting, all the way to how to gather evidence and bring...
Oxford University Press
Crisis at Fort Sumter
The crisis at Fort Sumter and events related to criminology create an intriguing activity for high schoolers. When clicked on, each box goes into a different part of the event. It also includes the aftermath of the battle in American...
Center for Technology in Teaching and Learning
CSI: The Experience - Family Forensics
Forensic scientists depend on their observation skills to analyze evidence down to the molecular level. Middle and high schoolers practice making observations and predictions with a series of crime scene activities, which includes a...
College Board
2000 AP® Psychology Free-Response Questions
The New York City police chief wants to know if teens commit more crimes after watching violent television shows. What kind of study helps answer the question? Learners must describe a successful study. They also examine the...
Judicial Learning Center
Your 4th Amendment Rights
Americans love to learn about their rights, especially those that protect them from the government's power to invade their privacy. Young people are especially engaged by this topic. An informative lesson explores four Supreme Court...
Judicial Learning Center
The Ratification Debate
Most Americans profess their love for the US Constitution, but this was not always the case. An informative lesson overviews the debate between the Federalists and Anti-Federalists by summarizing the main arguments of each side. It...
Curated OER
Deviance: Functionalist Explanations
In this Deviance: Functionalist Explanations worksheet, students read five pages, then complete several exercises including creating prompt cards, labeling actions appropriately, and deciding what are strengths or weaknesses of theories.
Curated OER
Traditional Marxist Perspectives on Crime
In this Marxist Perspectives on Crime worksheet, students read five pages and then proceed to complete several exercises such as supporting and rejecting a thesis, completing sentences, and categorizing statements.
Tutor 2 U
Plan for the Murder Solving Lesson
It's a classic case of whodunnit - with a forensic twist! Learners observe a crime scene and compile evidence, along with emergency phone calls, fingerprints, and interview statements to find the criminal and solve the crime.
Curated OER
Who is the Sea Otter Related to?
Students examine the genetic relationships of different organisms. In groups, they discover the importance of genes and how different amino acids show various evolutionary relationships. They use an online database to continue their...
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt: Cliffs Notes: Theories of Deviance
Read about four theories related to deviance and criminology which have emerged within the past 50 years.
Florida State University
Florida State University: Theorist Albert Bandura: Social Learning Theory
Discusses social learning theory in the context of criminology. Includes information on a famous study known as the Bobo doll experiment. Also includes biographical information on Albert Bandura.
University of Utah
University of Utah: Genetic Science Learning Center: Dna and Verdicts
Part of a site on genetics, this page explores DNA as a forensic science. Explains how and why DNA can be used to convict or acquit a criminal from wrongdoing using forensic DNA analysis. Teacher resources too.
Curated OER
Educational Technology Clearinghouse: Clip Art Etc: Marquis De Beccaria
(1738-1794) Marquis of Beccaria or Cesare, an Italian philosopher and politician best known for his treatise On Crimes and Punishments, which condemned torture and the death penalty and was a founding work in the field of criminology.
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