Our second week of Forensic Science Camp has been an
exciting one! We explored many crime scene investigation methods, ranging from
DNA and blood analysis to mammal tracks! There was even a mock crime scene on Friday that the campers helped solve!
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| What happens when you add water to cornstarch? |
We began our week with physical and chemical properties. We did chromatography
(pen ink) tests, studying how 6 different pen inks spread when they came into
contact with water. We then conducted a test on a ransom note, and compared it
to our 6 samples (taken from the different suspects) to determine who the
criminal was. We also explored mystery powders. We studied 4 different powders,
noting their appearance, texture, smell, and their reactions to water, iodine
and vinegar. We then were given a mystery powder, and had to use our previous
tests to determine which of the 4 powders it was!
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| Checking out the results from the chromatography tests |
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| Extracting DNA from Bananas |
On Tuesday, we extracted DNA from bananas in a special
demonstration. We learned about how DNA can be used as evidence in solving
crimes, and how DNA, like fingerprints, is always unique to each individual.
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| The counselors using the Hemastix. |
We
also did two experiments with blood. First, we identified which of 4 substances
was real blood by putting samples in a Hemastix. The Hemastix has tubes of
chemicals inside of it that, when they react with real blood, turn the color
blue.
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| The Hemastix turns blue when it reacts with blood. |
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| Testing the simulated blood on different surfaces. |
We also experimented with simulated blood spatter to help us understand
how blood can look on different surfaces and when dropped from various
distances. On porous surfaces, like a sponge, a blood drop with have a jagged
edge, while blood on non-porous surfaces, like a table, with have a smoother, rounder
edge. We also discovered that blood drops are larger when dropped from a
greater distance. We used this information to help us figure out how far away a
victim was standing away from a wall when he was shot.
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| Looking at blood spatter |
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| Dusting objects for fingerprints |
On Wednesday, we lifted fingerprints and then examined them
to find patterns. Fingerprints are an example of latent prints, which are
hidden impressions left by skin ridges on a surface. We touched bottles, light bulbs
and jars to leave our fingerprints, and then lifted them by brushing magnetic
powder on the area and pulling them up with tape. We then examined them for
patterns and points of identification.
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| Dusting objects for fingerprints |
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| Comparing handwriting samples with a ransom note |
We also did a handwriting analysis, in
which we had to match the handwriting of a ransom note with samples from
several suspects. We did this by studying the tilt, shape, style and
connectedness of their letters.
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| Officer Cargill showing us the metal detector that police use. |
On Thursday, we had a visit from a U of M Police Officer, who talked to us about Forensics Careers and some cool Forensic
Scientist tools!
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| Officer Cargill lifting a fingerprint. |
We also talked about Wildlife Forensics. We looked at mammal
and human tracks to figure out the events in a scene. We learned that we can
use our forensics skills in wildlife habitats, forests and parks to track
endangered animals, convict an animal poacher or find an animal that might be a
danger to people.
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| Officer Cargill showing us the alternate light source used to find fluids. |
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| Kyle's groups working on sketching the crime scene. |
On Friday, we conducted a mock crime scene, in which a very
valuable fossil was stolen from the museum and a murder took place. We
collected evidence at the crime scene, and used our forensic skills to analyze
fingerprints, handwriting, blood spatter and tools to find the criminal.
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| Where the body was found. |
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| Placing evidence markers and collecting evidence. |
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| Swabbing the blood to test it later. |
