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...
Curated OER
Crime Scene Investigators Puzzle
In this crime scene puzzle, students identify terms related to crime scene investigations. Examples include tissue, bullet, DNA, and fingerprints. A list of 50 words is provided to assist students in their search.
Mr. Roughton
CSI: Florence
Who done it? Class groups adopt the role of crime scene investigators and examine exhibits (primary source documents) to determine who attempted to assassinate the members of the Medici dynasty.
Curated OER
Investigation of Immigration
Students assume the role of a crime scene detective and examine the lives of various immigrant groups. In this immigration lesson, students examine evidence, websites, and pull from existing knowledge to determine which group they are...
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...
Curated OER
Zen and the Art of Murder
Students describe the importance of citizen involvement in the judicial system. They play the role of a witness to a crime scene by watching the video clip. Students discuss how differing eyewitness accounts can affect a police...
American Documentary
The Benefits and Drawbacks of Plea Bargains
The outcome of 90 percent of criminal cases in the US is determined by plea bargains. Clips from the documentary Better This World create the backdrop for an investigation of the benefits and drawbacks of the plea bargaining process....
Curated OER
Hands of Persons Unknown
Students consider the impact of lynchings on the African American community. In this lynching lesson, students investigate the lynching of Claude Neal. Students write opinion pieces about the Claude Neal lynching.
Curated OER
CSI Lesson Plans Can Turn Students Into Learning Detectives
Children learn to use the methods of good detection for solving a crime, and even analyzing literature.
Scouts
The Deadly Picnic: A Lab on Deductive Reasoning
Whodunnit? Find out who killed Mr. Brooks through a logical examination of evidence. Class members fill out a couple of data tables to help them pin down the suspect. After they've figured out just who the culprit is, pupils compose...
Curated OER
Criminal Activities
Students investigate Justice Week in Britain. In this current events lesson, students visit selected websites related to law and order in the U.K. Students may create their own anti-social art as a culminating activity.
Curated OER
Forensic Examination of Artifacts: The Mystery of Meriwether Lewis' Death
Students role play the position of a scientist to gather information on Meriwether Lewis' death. They discover what he did after the famous expedition and how centuries affect the study of a body. They share their information with the...
Curated OER
Lewis and Clark in Columbia River Country
Learners interpret historical evidence presented in primary and secondary resources. In this research skills lesson, students research the death of Meriwether Lewis using forensic evidence presented in primary...
Curated OER
Whodunit?
Pupils observe the geometric patterns on fingerprints. They classify fingerprints into groups and obtain prints from surfaces.
University of Missouri
Famous Trials: West Memphis Three Trials (1994)
On a warm sunny May day three eight-year-old boys set off on a bike ride around their hometown of West Memphis, Arkansas. The next afternoon, their bruised and mutilated hog-tied naked bodies were pulled from a stream, setting off an...
Other
Ford's Theatre: Lincoln's Assassination
Lincoln was assassinated at Ford's Theatre in full view of a packed audience. Many questions remain unanswered such as whether this was a lone act or part of a conspiracy. Conduct your own investigations using the features from this...