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Lesson Plan
Cornell University

Forensic Science: Case of the Missing Diamond Maker

For Teachers 5th - 9th Standards
Someone stole a diamond-making machine. Who done it? Scholars use forensic science at six different stations to determine the culprit. They analyze fingerprints, use their senses, and complete chemistry experiments to determine the...
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Unit Plan
Intel

Forensics: Get a Clue

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
Although the methods are all scientific, forensic science was started by police officers rather than scientists, who relied on observation and common sense. Young detectives use many tools to solve crimes around the school in a...
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Lesson Plan
Personal Genetics Education Project

DNA, Crime and Law Enforcement

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Civil rights meets biotechnology in a instructional activity that scrutinizes the collection of DNA of citizens who have been arrested, but not yet convicted of a crime. Real-life cases are examined in which the DNA of a relative was...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Visible Spectroscopy Expert Witness Problem

For Teachers 9th - Higher Ed
In a simulated crime science investigation, chemistry or physics sleuths use spectroscopy to analyze solutions. The activity gives learners practice making salicylate solutions, using spectrophotometers, calculating dilution amounts,...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Great Cafeteria Caper

For Teachers 11th - Higher Ed
Students 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.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Close Encounters

For Teachers 9th - 12th
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.
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Unit Plan
Constitutional Rights Foundation

Criminal Justice in America

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
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...
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Unit Plan
New York City Department of Education

Grade 9-10 Literacy in Science: Using DNA to Solve a Crime

For Teachers 9th - 10th Standards
Scholars become detectives and use science to solve a crime! A complete unit introduces DNA and includes hands-on activities that have learners model DNA and extract it from different food types. A culminating activity challenges...
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Activity
Center for Technology in Teaching and Learning

CSI: The Experience - Family Forensics

For Students 6th - 12th Standards
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...
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Activity
Gene Jury

DNA Detectives

For Teachers 4th - 8th Standards
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...
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Lesson Plan
Media Smarts

Forensic Science Crimes Dramas

For Teachers 10th - 12th Standards
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...
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Unit Plan
Kenan Fellows

Unit 4: Bioethics and the Future of Biotechnology

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
What's the future of biotechnology? Explore a hot topic in the fourth and final unit in a series of Biotechnology lessons. Learners develop an understanding of the many issues in bioethics, then create an argument for or against the role...
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Unit Plan
Kenan Fellows

Unit 2: DNA Analysis

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Ever wonder how they solve those mysterious murders in TV crime dramas? The second of four units in a Biotechnology series introduces scholars to the many methods of DNA analysis. Pupils create and run their own gel electrophoresis...
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Activity
Tutor 2 U

Plan for the Murder Solving Lesson

For Teachers 8th - 12th
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.
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Activity
Howard Hughes Medical Institute

DNA Profiling Activity

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Everyone loves a good mystery ... can your class actually solve one? Partnered pupils take on the role of forensic investigators during a three-part activity focusing on DNA evidence processing. Learners discover the methods used to...
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Interactive
Royal Society of Chemistry

Forensic Tests

For Students 6th - 12th Standards
Flame tests determine if there is a specific metal in a chemical compound. Young forensic scientists review their understanding of flame tests and hydroxide precipitates by solving puzzles. The timed review encourages mastery.
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Lesson Plan
Towson University

The Wildlife Forensics Lab

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Can science put an end to the poaching of endangered species? Show your young forensic experts how biotechnology can help save wildlife through an exciting electrophoresis lab. Grouped pupils analyze shark DNA to determine if it came...
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Lesson Plan
Towson University

Case of the Crown Jewels

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Can your biology class crack the Case of the Crown Jewels? Junior forensics experts try their hands at DNA restriction analysis in an exciting lab activity. The lesson introduces the concept of restriction analysis, teaches pipetting and...
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Activity
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Teach Engineering

DNA Forensics and Color Pigments

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Use food coloring in electrophoresis. The last segment in a four-part series mimics DNA fingerprinting by using chromatography. Teams conduct chromatography on food coloring to find colors that use similar pigmentation in their makeup.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Tech: Medical Forensics

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers explore what it takes to be a forensic scientist or pathologist. They view a PowerPoint, discuss what education and skills are needed to succeed as a pathologist. They play a game to test their observation skills, a skill...
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Worksheet
Curated OER

AP: Chapter 20: DNA Technology

For Students 9th - Higher Ed
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...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What is Forensic Science? Website and Worksheets

For Teachers 5th - 6th
In this science website and worksheets, students read the definitions and applications of forensic science. They read about DNA, fingerprints, and handwriting analysis. They carry out an ink chromatography experiment and record the...
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Fingerprints

For Students 5th - 8th
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...
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Fly Forensics

For Students 7th - 12th
Freddy's Friendly Fruit Market is under attack by fruit flies, and it is up to your aspiring biologists to solve the crime! By reading and analyzing the phenotypes, detectives determine which fly is responsible. This memorable assignment...