By the end of this session, participants will be able to:
Arrange ahead of time for each participant to bring in a shirt he or she has worn but not laundered. The shirt should be placed in a clean plastic bag after it has been worn.
See Activity 5 for suggestions of places where participants could visit and make arrangements as needed.
Reminder: Any time you use an outside source, be sure you follow the content owner’s or website’s permission requirements and guidelines.
These videos were chosen because they illustrate important aspects of the forensic science discipline being studied in this session. Note: Some of the content in the case studies is geared toward a mature audience. Advisors should review these videos before showing them to ensure that they are age appropriate for the post.
Make sure you add time in your activities for viewing and discussing videos with the Explorers. These videos are currently not built into the session plan so you will need to choose those that best complement your activities and plans for this topic.
Text in italics should be read aloud to participants. As you engage your post in activities each week, please include comments, discussions, and feedback to the group relating to Character, Leadership, and Ethics. These are important attributes that make a difference in the success of youth in the workplace and in life.
Introduction
Say to Explorers: In forensic science, trace evidence is used to demonstrate that people or objects have come into contact with or close proximity to each other. This type of evidence, also known as associative evidence, typically can’t be examined by the unaided eye. Trace evidence requires microscopic examination. Microscopes common to most forensic laboratories consist of stereomicroscopes, compound microscopes, polarizing light microscopes, comparison microscopes, and scanning electron microscopes. Different types of trace evidence will require different types of microscopes and different types of microscopic techniques. Some typical types of trace evidence are hairs, fibers, paint, glass, soil, and building materials.
To provide more background to the Explorers, you may wish to show some of the videos listed under “Websites” (or other similar videos).
After Explorers have conducted Activities 1-4, debrief as a large group.
Show Explorers the following video: “How to Collect Hair & Fiber Evidence at a Crime Scene” (National Forensic Academy)—www.youtube.com/watch?v=cfWsgS0ID-s. Then have Explorers follow this procedure:
Have each Explorer do the following:
Have each Explorer do the following:
Show one or more of the Forensic Files episodes listed under “Videos” to the Explorers and discuss how collection and examination of trace evidence helped in the investigation.
Some sample questions are below. They are designed to help the participants apply what they have learned to their own interests. You are welcome to use these questions or develop your own questions that relate to your post or specific focus area.
All content is copyright Christopher Bily, Next Generation Forensic Science Initiative, West Virginia University. Used with permission.
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