Forensic Science Teacher Resources

Students investigate the cause of death of a fictitious school janitor. They develop hypotheses based on information discovered by examining the labels of household chemicals.

Young scholars extract DNA from their own hair roots. They run an electrophoresis gel to examine patterns of their DNA along with standard DNA. The experiment is based on a crime scene scenario.

Students examine a crime scene and photograph evidence.  In this forensics digital photography lesson, students recognize the correct procedures for filming a crime scene.  Students document evidence and keep a log of the...

Conduct guided experiments and discussions while collecting anthropometric measurements. Your class will explore impact of experimental errors in a scientific system, and explain their observations/findings in writing. An introduction to...

Young scholars discuss methods used by forensic scientists and the basics of DNA and how it can be used to identify an individual after reading an article from The New York Times.

After drawing and labelling a microscope, forensic science explorers use one to solve a simulated murder mystery. They examine each piece of evidence and draw what they observe at each magnification. Working in groups of four, your...

Pupils explain how to use a light microscope, describe how to care for a microscope, and solve a forensic science problem, using a microscope to analyze data and draw conclusions.

Students explore how archaeologist examine mummies. In this research based lesson, students work in groups to research two mummies and report their findings to the class through role-playing and using a model of the mummy.

Learn to analyze handwriting samples in a textual analysis instructional activity. Middle schoolers complete a textual analysis procedure based on the text Sammy Keyes and the Hotel Thief. They also provide supporting evidence for their...

Students examine the importance of details in evidence gathering, as well as the relationship between chemistry, physics and biology.  In this forensics instructional activity students divide into groups and look at fingerprints and...

Students explore forests.  In this "forest forensic" lesson plan students divide into groups and go through the stations using their clues to solve the questions. 

You cannot enter the afterlife without your name, or so says Egyptian theology. In "Egypt Unwrapped: the Mystery of the Screaming Man," the National Geographic Channel follows researchers as they attempt to unwrap the mystery surrounding...

Learners solve the mystery of the kidnapped teacher by analyzing a ransom note using paper chromatography. They carefully prepare ink samples from the note to known ink samples to determine the kidnapper.

This nine-page biotechnology resource contains six pages of questions regarding DNA technology. Questions cover cloning, restriction enzymes, the polymerase chain reaction, different techniques, the human genome project, and more. The...

This activity provides an interesting way for learners to review vocabulary and practice comprehension skills. There is a six-paragraph passage about the process of fingerprinting and the role it takes on convicting criminals. Eleven...

Students read a paragraph describing various insects and decomposition rates, then fill in the table indicating when the three insects arrived or left the body. They write paragraphs explaining when the person died, and how they know.

Students research 2 famous forgery cases. In this forensics lesson, students are introduced to the methods of handwriting and paper analysis. They then use the Internet to study the cases of the Lindbergh baby and Howard Hughes'...

In this forensic science worksheet, students read a guide to analyzing fingerprint evidence and answer 3 short answer questions about it.

Students perform tests on different chemicals to determine their chemical properties. In this forensic science lesson, students identify an unknown sample using its physical and chemical properties. They solve a fictional crime using...

Students examine various topics on genetics. Students explore the Internet to gather information on genetic testing, genetically engineered food, forensics, DNA and cloning. They research and determine the best way to fund each of the...

Young scholars explore forensic anthropology. Given data, students determine which bones might have been the remains of which individual. They discuss how scientists work with inconclusive data.

In this forensic science worksheet, students classify 8 fingerprint marks according to the correct type. They also identify the unique ridges on 2 prints.

In this forensic science worksheet, students examine and identify the fingerprint pattern of 12 fingerprint samples. They classify them as arch, whorl or loop.

In this forensic science worksheet, learners identify 12 fingerprint marks. They classify them according to the pattern made.