1. Fun with
Forensics

2. Why forensics? It’s fashionable It’s engaging for pupils It’s fun
A great way of bringing science into the classroom

3. Aims for today
To provide practical activities to use in the classroom.
To raise awareness of scientific inquiry (fair “enough” testing).
To look at cross-curricular links within CfE.

4. Today we will test white powders – solubility.
test a selection of pens – chromatography.
make a good impression – dental.
make a good impression – fingerprints.

5. Activity 1 White solids

6. Curriculum for Excellence Experiences and Outcomes
I can make and test predictions about solids dissolving in water and can relate my findings to the world around me. SCN 1-16a
By investigating common conditions that increase the amount of substance that will dissolve or the speed of dissolving, I can relate my findings to the world around me. SCN 2-16b

7. Each group has:
6 sample bottles of water.
6 sample bottles of vinegar.
6 labelled white solids.
Results sheets (1 each).
Teaspoons.
Hand lenses.
Black paper.
Instructions.

9. Activity 2 Chromatography

10. Curriculum for Excellence Experiences and Outcomes
I have participated in practical activities to separate simple mixtures of substances and can relate my findings to my everyday experience. SCN 2-16a 

11. Each group has:
1 bottle of water.
Dropping pipettes.
Instructions.
Each person has:
Square of kitchen towel.
Labelled pen.

12. Curriculum for Excellence Experiences and Outcomes
Activities 3 & 4
Curriculum for Excellence Experiences and Outcomes 
I can identify and classify examples of living things, past and present, to help me appreciate their diversity. I can relate physical and behavioural characteristics to their survival or extinction. SCN 2-01a

13. Activity 3 Taking a dental impression

14. Polystyrene cup
In class you may be able to get up to 5 suitable pieces from each cup.
Each person needs 2 pieces – one for their top teeth and one for their bottom teeth.

15. Each person has:
Two sections of polystyrene cup.
Record sheet.
Polythene bag which seals.
Each group has:
Wax crayons.
Instructions.

16. Activity 4 Taking fingerprints
Each person has:
Pencil.
Recording sheet.
Each group has:
Sellotape.
Scissors.

17. Pencil method.
Rub your pencil on a small area of paper until you have a thick layer.
Rub your finger over this layer.
“Print” onto clear sticky tape.
Place the tape onto the recording sheet.

18. Fingerprints fall into 3 main categories
Look like ears
Look like spirals
Arch – 5%
Loop – 65%
Whorl – 30%
This gives a way to identify a culprit in a “forensics” scenario but it is very difficult to lift a clean fingerprint with the resources available in a primary school. A matching exercise with already obtained prints may be the best way to go.

19. The groups can be subdivided

20. fingerprints
classification

21. Contact details:

22. Resources available on new SSERC website

23. Resources available on new SSERC website
Username and password
Obtain for IJB

24. Resources available on new SSERC website
3-18 tab

25. Resources available on new SSERC website

26. Resources available on new SSERC website
Easier to use search box. KISS with least words for more accurate search.

27. Resources available on new SSERC website
Click on link and new page will show e-resources.