Michigan Department Of Education

Michigan Department of Education Technology-Enhanced Lesson Plan

Lesson Title: Mock Crime Scene-Recording, Collection, Analysis & Conclusions Created by: David Prindle Byron Center High School Lesson Abstract:

This is a lesson plan to create and analyze a mock crime scene. This is designed for Forensic Science classes but could be used a unit in other classes. It takes technology outside of the classroom. (I plan to update this in the near future with including probes and associated technology)

Subject Area: Forensic Science Grade Level: 11-12 Unit Title: Final Project

Michigan Educational Technology Standards Connection:

Basic Operations and Concepts

12. Students demonstrate how to import/export text, graphics, or audio files. 13. Students proofread and edit a document using an application’s spelling and grammar checking function.

Social, Ethical, and Human Issues

8. Students adhere to fair use and copyright guidelines 9. Students create appropriate citations for resources when presenting research findings. 10.Students adhere to the district acceptable use policy as well as state and federal laws.

Technology Productivity Tools

4. Students apply advanced software features such as an application’s built-in thesaurus, templates, and styles to improve the appearance of word processing documents, spreadsheets, and presentations. 7. Students use a variety of applications to plan, create, and edit a multimedia product. 8. Students have the opportunity to participate in real-life experiences associated with technology-related careers.

Technology Communications Tools

3. Students use a variety of media and formats to design, develop, publish, and present products to communicate original ideas to multiple audiences.

Mock Crime Scene-Recording, Collection, Analysis & Conclusions - Page 1 4. Students collaborate in content-related projects that integrate a variety of media with presentation, word-processing, publishing, database, graphic design, or spreadsheet applications.

Technology Problem-solving and Decision-making Tools

3. Students formulate a research question or hypothesis, then use appropriate information and communication technology resources to collect relevant information, analyze the findings, and report the results to multiple audiences.

Michigan Grade Level Content Expectations Connection:

Practices in Science Literacy

 Identifying Science Principles o Describe measure or classify observations

 Using Scientific Principles o Propose, analyze, and evaluate alternative explanations or predictions

 Scientific Inquiry o Gather data and organize the results in graphs, tables, and/or charts

 Reflection and Technology o Gather, evaluate, and synthesize information from multiple text and non-text sources o Propose or critique solutions to problems given criteria and scientific arguments

 Note: Since this is a culminating project it will apply to many of the GLEC’s that have been covered throughout the year.

Michigan Curriculum Framework Connection:

Constructing New Scientific Knowledge C.I.1.

2. Design and conduct scientific investigations. 3. Recognize and explain the limitations of measuring devices. 4. Gather and synthesize information from books and other sources of information. 5. Discuss topics in groups by making clear presentations, restating or summarizing what others have said, asking for clarification or elaboration, taking alternative perspectives, and defending a position.

Mock Crime Scene-Recording, Collection, Analysis & Conclusions - Page 2 Estimated time required to complete lesson or unit:

 1 day in the field (1 hour minimum)  2-3 days in the lab  The amount of time will vary depending on the length of your period.

Instructional resources:  Class notes  Forensic Science Book  An Introduction To Crime Scene Analysis- http://faculty.ncwc.edu/TOConnor/315/315lect04.htm  Crime scene investigation articles- http://crime-scene-investigator.net/csi- articles.html  How Crime Scene Investigation Work- http://science.howstuffworks.com/csi.htm

Prior required technology skills:  Word processing, presentation, spreadsheet and drawing software use. Sequence of Activities: Special Note: This assumes 90 minute blocks. You will have to adjust times based on your own schedule. See Teacher Notes below.  Day 1: Field Work/Crime Scene Collection and Recording  Day 2: Analysis of Evidence and Compiling Raw Data  Day 3: Creating Final Product

Assessments:  Pre-Assessment: None o Scoring Criteria: None

 Post-Assessment: Final Project as Described Below o Scoring Criteria: See attached rubric

Technology (hardware/software):

 Computer with Internet access  Portable Printer with battery (HP Mobile 460cb)(if available)  Word processing, presentation, drawing, spreadsheet software  Digital Camera or video recorder  Laptop or Tablet computer (for field data collection)  Hand-held computing device (if available)  CAD software (if available)  Scanner

Mock Crime Scene-Recording, Collection, Analysis & Conclusions - Page 3 Key Vocabulary:

 Crime scene  Note taking  Drawing  Sketching  Photography  Videography  Constructing New Scientific Knowledge  Forensic Science  Analysis  Data collection

Application Beyond School:

Students will gain critical thinking and analytical skills.

Teacher Reflection and Notes:

Mock Crime Scene Teacher Notes

Introduction

This lesson is designed to be the culminating project/final exam for a forensic science class. However, it could be done as part of another class that has a forensic sciences unit. However, it is assumed that the students have had some training the identification and collection of evidence.

The crime scene and its complexity are up to you. They can be done inside or outside depending on the availability of space in your building. The drawbacks of outside scenes are weather related such as rain or wind to blow away or destroy evidence.

I have added the use of technology in the field, this will help speed the process back in the lab since all of the forms will be filled out and will not have to be typed from hand written notes. The use of the lab top or hand-held is also good for note taking in the field and will help limit the amount of misinterpretation of hand written notes.

There are several forms associated with this plan and may be attached to the end of the lesson or found in a supplemental folder on the website.

The time format for filling out of the forms uses the 24 hr format or sometimes known as military time. This would only affect classes held after 12:00 noon. Examples of the 24 hour time format are as follows: 8:15 am equates to 0815 hrs and 2:05 pm equates to 1405 hrs.

Mock Crime Scene-Recording, Collection, Analysis & Conclusions - Page 4 This lesson requires that the class be broken up into teams to carry out the project. Groups of 6 or less work well. This does require a lot of advanced planning on your side from the standpoint of supervision and assignments for those not working the scene. Ideally it would be good to have several identical sites set up at the same time where you could take out the entire class to the scenes at one time. The time allowed to do this is based on a 90 minute block. It can be adjusted for your period length. However, unless you can set up multiple crime scenes in order for the entire class to participate at once you will have to have in class assignments to help keep the others busy while each group is at the scene.

Grading this lesson is up to you but since it is a group project and usually everyone does not carry the weight equally here is a system I have found that works well.

Grading System

 15% Crime Scene Group Grade-How well did they work together.

 15% Crime Scene Individual-How well did this person contribute to the group.

 15% Analysis and Report Time Group- well did they work together.

 15% Analysis and Report Time Individual- well did this person contribute to the group.

 25% Final Report

 15% Peer Evaluation

Assigned Jobs

 Leader/supervisor-this person is in charge of keeping track of the paperwork and evidence.

 Recorder/Notetaker-this person handles recording the notes and data taken at the crime scene. (In the past I have had students that were wheel chair bound and this worked out well for them.) These notes can and should be taken using the laptop or hand-held device. This includes filling out the Evidence Collection Log.

 Photographer-This person will photograph the scene and evidence. They may also video tape the scene. However, still are required. If the students take pictures using film remind them when they get it developed to get the photos put on a CD so they can be imported into their final project. Photographs of evidence should have a large tag that shows the number of the piece of evidence. Any wide shots of the scene should have something indicating compass direction (if outside).

 Crime scene sketcher(s)-The scene needs to be measured and sketched with the placement of all evidence marked. This is a rough sketch that the students will bring in and complete in class using a drawing program or

Mock Crime Scene-Recording, Collection, Analysis & Conclusions - Page 5 AutoCAD (if available). The rough sketch could be done on the computer but it is faster and easier to do this by hand then spend time on the computer drawing and inputting the measurements.

Software Requirements

 MS WORD or Equivalent

 MS PowerPoint or Equivalent

 DrawPlus 4 or Equivalent (DrawPlus 4 is Freeware found at http://www.freeserifsoftware.com/software/DrawPlus/key_features.asp)

 AutoCAD (if available and students are already proficient on it-DO NOT BUY IT FOR THIS PROJECT)

 Imaging Software-usually something is preloaded on the computer. If a student used their own digital camera they will have to download at home and transport the images to school (via CD or email etc)

Logs and Forms

 Evidence Collection Log-This is used at the crime scene and is to record each piece of evidence when it is collected and tagged.

 Evidence Collection Tag-this is a tag that is filled out at the crime scene and is attached to the bag or container holding the evidence. Included in the forms is one call “Evidence Tag”. To save money from buying these from a police supply company would to reduce and copy for of these to a page and then copy the onto sticker paper and cut them up. These would be part of the project that does not use technology. They have to be filled out by hand and attached to the evidence. If possible it would not be unreasonable to create this tag in MS Publisher and put four to a page and subsequently print it on sticker backed paper.

 Scene Log-This is filled out by hand and records each person present at the crime scene. If a student leaves for an extended period of time they must sign out and then sign back in. Other signatories would include anyone that came out to observe. However, observers are not allowed behind the crime scene tape. My rule is the only personnel allowed in the scene are the students, teachers, actual law enforcement officials and the press (with the permission of the teacher).This log should be included in the final report with a typed copy for clarity.

 Final Report Form- This form is designed as a fill-in form to include all necessary information.

Need More Information

If you need more help or information please feel free to contact me at [email protected] .

Mock Crime Scene-Recording, Collection, Analysis & Conclusions - Page 6

Mock Crime Scene Project Description

Objective

Students will through the use of technological and non-technological means collect and catalog evidence, analyze, draw conclusions and create a report about a mock crimes scene.

Materials

 Mock Crime Scene with evidence  Evidence collection kit  Laptop/tablet computer (wireless Internet connection optional)  Software o Excel or Word o Drawing Software o Image (still or video) capture software  Camera (maybe digital, video or still film camera*)  Forms (attached or from website) o Scene Log o Evidence Collection Log o Chain of Custody Tags o Final Report Form  Three Ring Binder for Final Report

Procedure

Students will examine a mock crime set up by the instructor. At the scene they will use proper evidence collection, packaging and documentation procedures. Documentation will be done through the use of a laptop computer, tablet computer or hand-held device. Documentation includes the Evidence Collection Log, Scene Notes and possibly the scene rough sketch. A digital camera or video recording device will also be used to document the scene.

Upon returning to the lab with their evidence and documentation students will analyze and come to conclusions about the crime and perpetrators using additional materials given to them and the will report there findings on the Final Report Form.

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