1. CRIME BUSTERS MICHIGAN SCIENCE OLYMPIAD COACHES WORKSHOP AT MSU
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2015
PRESENTED BY:
MIKE REED,
MICHIGAN SCIENCE OLYMPIAD BOARD MEMBER
AP CHEMISTRY TEACHER, GRAND HAVEN HIGH SCHOOL
HEAD COACH, GRAND HAVEN HIGH SCHOOL SCIENCE OLYMPIAD

2. From Michigan Science Olympiad:
If you have not already registered and paid for your team, go to
The deadline for registering and paying for your team is January 11th.
State bids are based on the number of primary teams registered and paid by the deadline.
See Sue West for more information regarding registration.

3. For coaches, students, and event supervisors:
Read the rules.
Know the rules.
Follow the rules.

4. SAFETY FIRST!

5. GOGGLES

6. GOGGLES from sonic.org/eye_protection
CATEGORY C
Description: Indirect vent chemical/splash protection goggles. These seal tightly to the face completely around the eyes and have indirect vents constructed so that liquids do not have a direct path into the eye (or no vents at all). If you are able to see through the vent holes from one side to the other, they are NOT indirect vents
Corresponding ANSI designation/required marking: Z87 (followed by D3 is the most modern designation but, it is not a requirement)
Example: Indirect vent chemical/splash protection goggles
Notes: 
1. A goggle that bears the Z87+ mark and is an indirect vent chemical/splash protection goggle will qualify for all three Categories A, B & C
2. VisorGogs do not seal completely to the face, but are acceptable as indirect vent chemical/splash protection goggles

7. LAB COATS OR LAB APRONS

8. 1. DESCRIPTION: Given a scenario, a collection of evidence, and possible suspects, students will perform a series of tests. The test results along with other evidence will be used to solve a crime.
A TEAM OF UP TO: 2
EYE PROTECTION: C
APPROXIMATE TIME: 50 minutes
2. EVENT PARAMETERS: Students may bring only specified items. No other items including calculators are allowed. The event supervisors will check the kits, confiscate non-allowed items, and have the right to penalize a team up to 10% if additional items are in the kit.

9. 2a. Students may bring only these items:
i. Test tubes (brushes & racks), spot plates, well plates, reaction plates or similar small containers for mixing
ii. Something for scooping & stirring
iii. pH paper
iv. Magnet(s)
v. Hand lens(es)
vi. Microscope slides and cover slips
vii. Forceps or tweezers
viii. Writing instruments
ix. Paper towels
x. Pipettes or Droppers
xi. Each team may bring 5 pages (both sides) containing information in any form from any source (sheet protectors are permitted).
Note: Students not bringing these items will be at a disadvantage. The supervisor will not provide them.

10. 2b. Supervisor will provide:
Iodine reagent (KI solution)
1M HCl
Chromatography materials plus containers
Waste container(s)
Wash bottle with distilled water (no more than 250 mL)
2c. The supervisor may provide:
Other equipment (e.g., microscope, probes, calculator, etc.), or
Candle & matches if fibers given, or
Differential density solutions or other method of determining density of polymers if plastics given or Reagents to perform additional tests.

11. 2d. Safety Requirements:
Students must wear goggles, an apron or a lab coat and have skin covered from the neck down to the wrist and toes (gloves are optional, but if a host requires a specific type they must notify teams). Long hair, shoulder length or longer, must be tied back. Students who unsafely remove their safety clothing/goggles or are observed handling any of the material or equipment in an unsafe manner will be penalized or disqualified from the event.

12. 3. THE COMPETITION: All competitions will consist of evidence from Parts 3. a-d and analysis of the evidence in Part 3.e. Analysis or questions can only be on the evidence topics included in the competition. The amount of evidence included will be according to the following table:
Level
Part 3a (i-iii)
Limit on Mixtures from
Part 3.a.i. only
Part b
Part c
Part d
Part e
Regional
6 - 15
Up to 2 of 2 solids with *
5-7
1 type
1-2 topics
Required
State
2-4 of 2-3 solids with *
7-10
1-2 types
2-3 topics
National
2-6 of 2-3 solids with *
10-15
1-3 types
2-4 topics

13. 3a. Qualitative Analysis: The unknown common materials will be taken from the following lists.
Solids:
Anhydrous sodium acetate
Yeast
Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)
*calcium carbonate (powdered limestone)
*table salt (NaCl)
*sugar (crystal)
*flour
*calcium sulfate∙2H2O (gypsum)
*cornstarch
*baking soda
*powdered gelatin
*powdered Alka-Seltzer®
*sand (white)

14. 3a. Qualitative Analysis: The unknown common materials will be taken from the following lists.
ii. Non-Powdered Metals:
Aluminum
Iron
Zinc
Magnesium
Copper
Tin

15. 3a. Qualitative Analysis: The unknown common materials will be taken from the following lists.
iii. Liquids:
lemon juice
rubbing alcohol (isopropyl)
household ammonia (3%)
Water
Vinegar
hydrogen peroxide (3%)
Every team gets the same set of unknowns (evidence). The unknowns will be identifiable by performing tests such as solubility, acidity, magnetic property, color, density, and odor. The scenario will identify which containers may hold the mixtures.

16. 3b. Polymer Testing/Natural and Man-made Substances: Students will demonstrate their skill in identifying and collecting evidence from a variety of sources such as:
Hair (the difference between human, dog, cat, not specific kinds of hair),
Fibers (the difference between animal, vegetable, synthetic, not specific kinds of fibers), and
Recyclable plastics (PETE, HDPE, non-expanded PS, LDPE, PP, PVC, PMMA). No burn test allowed but burn results may be provided.
3c. Paper Chromatography: Students will analyze evidence from paper chromatography (ink pens, juices, Kool-Aid®, etc.). The paper chromatogram(s) will be collected with the score sheet. No calculations are expected to be performed.

17. 3d. Crime Scene Physical Evidence: Students will also demonstrate their skill in collecting and/or analyzing evidence from a variety of other sources such as:
i. Fingerprints: Students may be asked to identify different patterns on fingerprint evidence such as the difference between whorls, loops, and arches.
ii. DNA evidence: Students may be asked to compare DNA chromatograms/electropherograms from materials found at the scene to those of the suspects.
iii. Shoeprints & tire treads: Students may be asked to compare prints and make conclusions such as direction and speed of travel. No calculations are expected to be performed.
iv. Soil: Students may be given the composition of soil found at the scene or on the suspects and asked to determine if this implicates any of the suspects.
v. Spatters: Analyze spatter patterns for speed and direction of impact. No calculations are expected to be performed.

18. 3e. Analysis: Students will be asked to write an analysis of the crime scene explaining not only which pieces of evidence implicate which suspect and why the suspect(s) was (were) chosen as the culprit(s), but also why the other suspects were not chosen. They will also answer any other crime scene analysis questions posed by the event supervisor.
3f. The collected evidence and other data given may be used in a mock crime scene.

19. 4. SCORING:
The team with the highest score wins. Time will not be used for scoring. The score will be composed of the following elements (percentages given are approximate): 3.a.=50%, 3.b.=10%, 3.c.=5%, 3.d.=10%, and 3.e.=25%. Actual point values will be shown at each question.
First tiebreaker is Part 3.e. Second tiebreaker is Part 3.a. Third tiebreaker is Part 3.b.
Waste will be disposed of as directed by the event supervisor. A penalty of up to 10% may be given if the area is not cleaned up as instructed by the event supervisor.

20. Recommended Resources: All reference and training resources including the Science Crime Busters Manual and the Science Crime Busters CD are available on the Official Science Olympiad Store or Website at
See General Rules, Eye Protection & other Policies on as they apply to every event.

21. SOINC.ORG
Go to and to see frequently asked questions and rules clarifications for every event.
The Official Rules Clarifications and FAQs apply to all states and all tournaments and originate at the National level (please check your Regional or State Website for special updates pertaining to your regional or state events).

22. Which students should do Crime Busters?
Two students who will be able to work independently. In this event, divide and conquer. There is a lot to do in 50 minutes.
Students who can stay organized.
Students who can work quickly.

23. PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE
KEYS FOR COACHING
PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE
Part 3a is worth half of the score – practice identifying the unknown materials weekly if not more often.

24. KEYS FOR COACHING
Teach the students basic chemistry lab skills and how to handle chemicals properly.
Teach the students lab safety. No touching or tasting chemicals. Waft vapors to observe odors. No horseplay in lab. Water bottles are not squirt guns.
Teach the students to work with one sample at a time. Do not contaminate the samples.

25. KEYS FOR COACHING
Teach students to use the minimum amount of the unknowns and reagents for testing.
pH testing should be done by dipping a stirring rod into a solution, then touching the rod to a small piece of pH indicator paper.

26. KEYS FOR COACHING
Teach students how to clean up properly when they are done. Event supervisors should indicate where to put waste.
Popsicle sticks and coffee stirrers can be used for scoops and stirring.
Give students a set of known substances for practice. Students should make their own tables of observations.

27. KEYS FOR COACHING – STUDENT MADE OBSERVATION CHART
Substance
Solubility in H2O pH
Reaction in HCl
Reaction in Iodine solution
Odor
Appearance
NaC2H3O2
Yeast
Vitamin C
CaCO3
NaCl
C12H22O11
Flour
CaSO4
Cornstarch
NaHCO3
Gelatin
Alka-seltzer
Sand

28. KEYS FOR COACHING – STUDENT MADE OBSERVATION CHART
Substance
Reaction in HCl
Magnet
Color - Appearance
Malleability
Aluminum
Iron
Zinc
Magnesium
Copper
Tin

29. KEYS FOR COACHING – STUDENT MADE OBSERVATION CHART
Substance pH
Odor
Color - Appearance
Reaction in HCl solution
Reaction in Iodine solution
Lemon Juice
Rubbing Alcohol
(isopropyl)
Household Ammonia
Water
Vinegar
Hydrogen Peroxide 3%

30. KEYS FOR COACHING
Students need to be taught how to observe and what to observe.

31. QUESTIONS? See your friendly, neighborhood chemistry teacher.
Look up information on the internet.
The above link has resources from the NSO Chemistry Committee chair, Lin Wozniewski – excellent notes