In our first week, we’ll explore the basics of forensic science, its role in the criminal justice system, and the importance of crime scene investigation. Students will learn how investigators secure a crime scene, document evidence, and preserve the chain of custody. We’ll dive into a famous true crime case to see how these steps are applied in real life.

Key Concepts:

History of forensic science
Crime scene protocols
Chain of custody
Case Study: The Disappearance of Helle Crafts 

 This week, students will learn about the various types of physical evidence—like fibers, hair, and trace materials—and how forensic experts collect and preserve them. We’ll cover techniques for gathering evidence without contamination and examine a cold case where new forensic methods were used to solve the mystery.

Key Concepts:

Types of evidence (physical, biological, trace)
Proper collection and preservation methods
Case Study: Little Girl Lost 

 We’ll get hands-on this week with fingerprint analysis, studying the unique patterns that make everyone’s prints one of a kind. Students will practice identifying loops, whorls, and arches, and we’ll look at a true crime case where fingerprint evidence was the key to solving the crime.

Key Concepts:

Fingerprint patterns (loops, whorls, arches)
Fingerprint collection techniques
Case Study: If You Have a Hammer 

 Students will learn how blood behaves in different situations and how forensic scientists can use bloodstain patterns to reconstruct crime scenes. We’ll explore real cases where blood spatter analysis played a crucial role and get into the science of fluid dynamics.

Key Concepts:

Types of bloodstains (passive, projected, transfer)
Analyzing blood spatter patterns
Case Study: The Staircase