Warm-Up Last class we saw how witness testimonies can often be flawed due to incorrect memories of the event. Over time, our brains fill in the details.

Warm-Up

Last class we saw how witness testimonies can often be flawed due to incorrect memories of the event. Over time, our brains fill in the details we can’t remember or didn’t notice. This is true for all of us, not just those of us who have witnessed a crime.

How might this physiological trait hinder a crime scene investigation? What can investigators do when analyzing a crime scene that will help prevent inaccurate information from entering the crime’s file?

Investigating Evidence Matching Game

• Pair up with a partner.

• Each group of students will receive an envelope with terms and definitions.

• Work with your partner to match the terms with the appropriate definition.

Drug Chemistry – Determines the presence of controlled substances and the identification of marijuana

Trace Chemistry - Identification and comparison of materials from fires, explosions, paints, and glass.

Microscopy – Microscopic identification and comparison of evidence, such as hairs, fibers, woods, soils, building materials, insulation and other materials.

Biology/DNA – Analysis of body fluids and dried stains such as blood, semen, and saliva.

Toxicology – Tests body fluids and tissues to determine the presence of drugs and poisons.

Latent Prints - Identification and comparison of fingerprints or other hidden impressions from sources like feet, shoes, ears, lips or the tread on vehicle tires.

Ballistics (Firearms) – Study of bullets and ammunition through the comparison of fired bullets, cartridges, guns, and gunpowder patterns on people and objects.

Toolmarks – Examines marks left by tools on objects at a crime scene or on a victim, such as a hammer used to break a door or a screwdriver used to pick a lock.

Questioned Documents - Examination of documents to compare handwriting, ink, paper, writing instruments, printers, and other characteristics that would help to identify its origin.

Matching Game Answers

Source: http://www.isp.state.il.us/forensics/

Forensic Science disciplines at the Illinois State Police Crime Labs

Investigating Crime Scenes Process

• Your group assignments are on the next page.

• Find your group.

• Each group will be given a step or two of the crime scene investigation process.

• You will read your handouts and then answer questions as a group.

• Be sure to take notes, because you will be teaching this information to a group of 7 students.

Teams

• Team 1 –Luke T. (A), Lindsey F. (B), Katherine J. (C), Callan G. (D)

• Team 2 – Marcus P. (A), Kyle P (B), Crystal L.(C), Kayla B. (D)

• Team 3 –Maddie R. (B), Kelcey M. (D), Shawn R. (A)

• Team 4 – Madison M. (A), Noe R (B), Victoria P. (C), Zach H. (D)

• Team 5 – Hailey C. (A), Darrik G. (B), Cynthia M. (C), Courtney Q (D)

• Team 6 – Aubrey M. (A), Cesar C. (B), Brandon D. (C), Malik L. (D)

• Team 7 – Gabriella D. (A), Blake M. (C), Alison B. (D)

• Team 8 – Nancy G. (A), Carolina S. (B), Alexandra S. (C), Jason M. (D)

Questions1. Write a summary of your step. You will use this

summary to teach your step to a classmate.2. What is the importance of this step in the investigation

process?3. Which key personnel are involved in carrying out the

step? You may refer to your notes from the Crime Scene Basics PowerPoint. If your paragraph doesn’t indicate key personnel, decide, as a group, who you think is responsible for carrying out this task.

4. Reflect on any cases you know. Give an example of a case where the defense won because something went wrong during this step of the investigation. If you cannot think of a case, then move on to question

5. Think about your favorite crime show (CSI, Bones, NCIS, etc.). Can you think of an episode where they didn’t follow the process outlined in your step? If so, please describe the episode and what the characters did that was incorrect.

Teams (ABCD)

• Team 1 –Luke T. (A), Lindsey F. (B), Katherine J. (C), Callan G. (D)

• Team 2 – Marcus P. (A), Kyle P (B), Crystal L.(C), Kayla B. (D)

• Team 3 –Maddie R. (B), Kelcey M. (D), Shawn R. (A)

• Team 4 – Madison M. (A), Noe R (B), Victoria P. (C), Zach H. (D)

• Team 5 – Hailey C. (A), Darrik G. (B), Cynthia M. (C), Courtney Q (D)

• Team 6 – Aubrey M. (A), Cesar C. (B), Brandon D. (C), Malik L. (D)

• Team 7 – Gabriella D. (A), Blake M. (C), Alison B. (D)

• Team 8 – Nancy G. (A), Carolina S. (B), Alexandra S. (C), Jason M. (D)

Jigsaw

• You will each be grouped with 1 student from each of the other groups.

• Your new groups are on the next page.

• Find your new group.

• Take turns sharing your step of the crime scene investigation process.

• Be sure to take notes about the rest of the investigation process!

Safety

Summary

• Reflect back on today’s warm-up question – has your answer changed at all after discussing the steps of crime scene investigation?

• Warm-Up Question:• How might this physiological trait hinder a

crime scene investigation? What can investigators do when analyzing a crime scene that will help prevent inaccurate information from entering the crime’s file?

Case Studies