1. Crime Scene Scenario Imagine the following: Scene:
Unguarded Apartment Complex Dark Alley
Nowhereville, XQ 04073
Setting:
Apartment 6B
Mr. and Mrs. Worrywart decided to take their family on a much needed trip at the end of the summer. Their children, Jane and Joe, were excited to be spending a week at the beach before they had to go back to school. Mr. Worrywart was concerned about leaving their apartment unoccupied while they were on vacation, so he arranged to have a friend stop by to check on things until they returned. Unfortunately, when the family arrived home yesterday, they were shocked to find their home was in disarray and all of their valuables had disappeared!
Mr. Worrywart immediately called 911. When the police arrived, they began to examine the crime scene. It appeared to be a robbery, but with no obvious clues as to who committed the crime. There were no signs of forced entry, and there were no fingerprints that could not be accounted for. It is possible, however, that the perpetrators used gloves.
A forensic specialist was called in to examine the crime scene and collect trace evidence (small but measurable amounts of physical or biological material). Even when it seems like there is no evidence left behind by the culprits, the specialist can use laboratory tests that can tell who was at the crime scene from a drop of blood or a single strand of hair.
Testing is regularly done in forensic testing labs across the US and in many other parts of the world from only a single cell. To be able to perform these tests, forensic scientists need biological evidence to work with. Often, there is very little material left at the scene of a crime, and not in quantities that will allow analysis. Luckily for the Worrywart family, several different cells were recovered from the crime scene and have been labeled as evidence.
These cells are from the bags the culprit used to carry the valuables out of the Worrywart’s
home. Since the bags were heavy, they had to be dragged across the floor leaving cells
behind.
Your challenge is to identify the origin of these cells by classifying them as either plant cells, animal cells, or neither. You must record your findings in a Forensic Lab Report that will be used in future court proceedings.

2. SUSPECT A SUSPECT B SUSPECT C Height: 182 cm Weight: 210 lbs
Eyes: blue
Hair: blonde
Possessions: clothing, baseball hat, watch,
wallet, $13.56, cotton bag
SUSPECT B
Height: 177 cm
Weight: 135 lbs Eyes: hazel Hair: brown
Possessions: clothing, earrings, bracelet, purse, $6.75, leather bag
SUSPECT C
Height: 189 cm
Weight: 240 lbs Eyes: brown Hair: black
Possessions: clothing, ring, watch, wallet,
$24.90, plastic bag

3. State Bureau of Investigation Department of Justice
Forensic Lab Report
432 Crime Scene Lane, Misdemeanor, XZ Phone: (123)
Fax: (123)
To: Sensational Elementary School Attn: Mrs. Teacher
101 Cutting Edge Drive Entertaining, IQ 24073
Report Date:
Examined by:
ITEMS SUBMITTED
The following items were submitted by Officer Meticulous of Law-breaker County Sherriff’s Office by way of Federal Express:
ITEM NUMBER(S)
One brown box containing: 1
DESCRIPTION
One plastic bag marked “Law-breaker County Sherriff’s Office Entry
Tag KC Item Number ” containing an image of a cell taken with an electron microscope.
FACTS SIGNIFICANT TO THE CASE
In the boxes below, draw simple “composite sketches” of a plant cell and an animal cell. Label any identifying features on each of the diagrams.
PLANT CELL
ANIMAL CELL

4. EXAMINATION OF EVIDENCE
Attach your cell sample in the space below. Accurately label the identifying characteristics of your cell.
ANALYSIS OF RESULTS
The conclusion you come up with must be based on your own observations. Remember that all the evidence
needed to classify the cell is right in front of you. Inferences should be based only on observations of the evidence.
After careful analysis of the sample, we have determined that this is a(n) cell.
Based on the evidence, justify your results on the lines below. Refer to specific examples from your cell sample to support your conclusion.

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