Summer SAVY, Session 3 Day 3, Forensic Science (1st – 2nd)
Today, students were document examiners as forensic scientists! The students learned about how eyewitness statements can sometimes not be reliable. The activity provided an example of how people will often create false memories with association.
Then the students practiced the art of forgery and what experts look for when examining documents that might have been forged. They learned that some criminals will tamper with documents or falsify who they are.
Next, we analyzed altered documents. Someone had tampered with a teacher’s grade book, and we needed the right team of forensic scientists on the case. We were lucky to have such knowledgeable and intelligent forensic scientists at SAVY to identify the falsified grades. Then, we had a very important case of dognapping that needed to be solved with Chromatography. They used samples of a ransom note in an experiment using acetone.
Chromatography means separating mixtures into their individual components. Using the materials and their new knowledge of Chromatography, they analyzed ink samples to see if the reaction matched the pen used on a note connected to a crime. This was how we solved the case.
Some extension activities include:
Practice making your eyewitness testimonies more reliable with this game: Kim’s Game
We look forward to seeing all our forensic scientists tomorrow!