Forensic Science: Cryptology Part 2

Forensic Science 9: Cryptology Part 2 will focus heavily on cryptology from the past century, while bringing in older techniques which can make hybrid systems more challenging.  With each code-making approach, students will have the opportunity to use known techniques and suggest variations to add complexity.  I will provide small sections of coded messages, with hints about methodologies used, so that the students can try their hands at deciphering each hidden message.  Students will tackle codes that are either double-layered or that use two techniques in a single layer of encryption.  Along the way, we will cover encoded messages from real cases, with emphasis on the massive body of ciphers and coded messages from the Zodiac case, particularly the double-encoded messages, which students who have taken previous installments of my Forensic Science series know is my specialty.  Finally, we will end with a brief mock crime.

Week 1:  Review of Ancient and Pre-modern cryptologic techniques, as well as simply substitution ciphers.
Week 2:  Transposition ciphers, with multiple ciphers for the group to solve.
Week 3:  Using algebra to create ciphers.  Here we will look at a cipher system that started in 1929 and allowed the cryptologist to create an intimidating cipher that can be reliably solved by the intended audience.  Students will have an example of this cipher to solve on their own.
Weeks 4 and 5:  Group cipher solving.  We will solve long ciphers as a group, but when we are done, will we know we are done?
Week 6:  Triple and Quadruple layered ciphers.  We will examine the ways in which ciphers can be created with layers that hide the starting point from most observers.
Week 7:  Strange and unique ciphers:  Cardboard boxes, a Rubic's cube, and sheet music are examples of things we will examine as possible cipher media.
Weeks 8-10:  Mock scene focusing on a series of ciphers.