Your own CSI Forensic Science Event!

Forensic Science Enrichment Event
Students investigate an aggravated burglary - a burglary followed by an assault - using footwear impressions, blood spatter, fingerprints, DNA, handwriting, ink analysis, physical fits, paint and hairs. There are named suspects and by finding the clues and examining the evidence, the students can find out who is guilty. And there may be a surprise outcome! An exciting and unpredictable courtroom trial completes the event.

• Introduction to forensic science
• Practical exercise - the crime scene - students wear full crime scene kit
• Practical work - blood spatter, fingerprints, DNA profile comparisons, footwear impressions, weapon, handwriting comparisons, ink analysis, physical fits, paint examination
• Interpretation of the evidence. Discussion of some real forensic science cases.
• Realistic mini-trial - pupils present forensic evidence and act in other courtroom roles with court costume and other props provided.

Activities for which the events are suitable include:

• Curriculum Enrichment and Enhancement, RAP events
• KS2 and KS3 projects including Wikid science
• Science Weeks and Super Learning Days
• PLTS Framework Activities
• Cross-curricula events, work-related learning and citizenship
• Gifted and Talented Programmes
• Literacy across the curriculum
• Reward Events

Suitable for Years 4 to Years 13. Delivery tailored to the year group and academic level. Delivery to up to 40 students in one event. A day can be divided into two with different students in each event.

BTEC, OCR Nationals, GCSE Applied Science

The school receives a student’s workbook, a teacher’s reference and a forensic casenotes reference, all purpose-designed for the curriculum. On the event day, the activities are:

• Practical Exercise – the crime scene – some students wear full crime scene kit. Parts of the workbook completed as the scene is examined
• Practical evidence examination and analysis – students carry out examinations of blood spatter, footwear impressions, physical fit, DNA profiles, weapon, handwriting comparisons, ink analysis, paint examination. Demonstration of fibres and hairs comparison. Parts of the workbook completed.

• Role-play mini-trial - students present forensic evidence and act in other courtroom roles with court costume and other props provided.

There are opportunities to take many photographs which can be made available for students’ assignments. The other parts of the student’s workbook are completed after the event day.

For more information about the workbooks, please follow the link: workbooks

The Criminal Justice System

The school receives a student’s workbook and a teacher’s reference, both purpose-designed for the curriculum. On the event day, the activities are:

• Class and group exercises and discussion on the criminal justice system as it relates to forensic science. Completion of some parts of workbook.
• Role-play mini-trial – students present evidence and act in other courtroom roles with court costume and other props provided
• Analysis of the trial through group discussion. Completion of other parts of the workbook.

The role-play trial provides opportunities to take photographs. The remaining parts of the student’s workbook are completed after the event day.

Forensic Science Careers Event

An event designed to stimulate interest in science, science careers and higher and further education. The activities are:

• Introduction to forensic science, job roles in forensic science, pathways to careers, HE and FE
• Practical exercise - the crime scene - students wear full crime scene kit
• Blood spatter, fingerprints, DNA profile comparisons, footwear impressions, weapon, handwriting comparisons, ink analysis, physical fits, paint examination
• Practical investigations, interpretation and report writing
• Realistic mini-trials - pupils present forensic evidence and act in other courtroom roles with court costume and other props provided.

Directly relevant to Aimhigher programmes and all school-based careers activities.

Forensic Science Family Event

A one and a half hour event for children in Years 4, 5 and 6 and adult members of their family. Ideal for science enhancement in primary schools. Solve the burglary at your school using fingerprints, footwear impressions, direct-fit evidence and DNA profiles. Which of the suspects was it? Perhaps there will be a big surprise outcome! The event can accommodate up to eight family groups.

Forensic Science Adult Learning Event
An event of up to three hours. The investigation of an aggravated burglary with lots of hands-on crime scene work and practical. Includes blood spatter, fingerprints, DNA, footwear impressions, handwriting, and ink comparison plus a role-play courtroom trial. Discussion of some real forensic cases.

Forensic Science Presentation
A presentation of up to two hours which describes developments in forensic science over the last thirty years by contrasting the forensic science techniques and processes in use at the time of the Yorkshire Ripper murders with those available today.

Frequently asked questions

How many students can an event accommodate? Up to 40 at any time. A full-day school event can be split into two half-day events with different groups of students in each. Two-hour events can also be provided.

Do you provide events for disadvantaged groups? Yes, we welcome opportunities to work with disadvantaged pupils including those with learning issues and EBD.

What sort of room is required? A largish lab is best but any room with a good amount of bench or table space for the practical work can be used.

What does a school have to provide? Nothing except paper.