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The Dead Never Tell Lies…

A Lower Sec Science Enrichment

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Introduction

• Forensic Science Enrichment• Sec 1 students• Term 4 for 2 weeks• Logbook – to have their activities logged and

recorded.

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4 Questions + 1 Action

• What is Forensic Science?• Why do we plan for this enrichment ?• What do the students say about this

enrichment?• How can I transfer what I learnt from this

session to my own domain?• I want to try …

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1) What is Forensic Science?• Forensics – come from the roman word “forum” which is

the place where the Romans held their law court proceedings.– The use of science and technology to investigate and establish

facts in criminal or civil courts of law. (Open Dictionary.com)– The study of evidence discovered at a crime scene and used in a

court of law. (library thinkquest)– A field of science dedicated to the methodical gathering and

analysis of evidence to establish facts that can be presented in a legal proceeding. (Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/410618)

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Locard Exchange Principle

• The basic principle of all forensic science is known as the Locard Exchange Principle.

• Locard, a Professor of Criminal Law in the late nineteenth century postulated that when a crime is committed, the criminal always leaves something at the scene of the crime that was not there before, and carries away something when he leaves that was not on him when he arrived.

• 天网恢恢，疏而不漏

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Topics Covered in Forensic Science

• Fingerprinting• Identification of the deceased e.g. dental

records, personal belongings, skeleton structure.

• Estimation of the time of death• Work on case studies• Ballistics and Toxicology

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4 Reasons Why - Forensics ?

1) Interdisciplinary Nature of Forensics• Physics – ballistics, car accidents, • Chemistry – chromatography, chemical analysis• Biology - DNA, Forensic pathology• Humanities – understanding of certain domains in

order to solve crimes.• Forensic Anthropology – Facial Reconstruction ?

– http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_HaJT7OVIQ&feature=related

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4 Reasons Why - Forensics ?

2) Able to apply and see the relevance of the Scientific Method -> relevant process skills

• Observations• Form a hypothesis• Test the hypothesis (scene reconstruction)• Record the results• Alter the hypothesis • Record the Results

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4 Reasons Why - Forensics ?

Forensic-based mysteries and activities is a wayto engage and teach students about integratedScience incorporating key scientific concepts andLab experiments. (Court TV, 2006)

When students can see the relevance of thecurriculum and how it can be used in everyday life,transfer is enhanced. (Bransford, Brown & Cacking,1999)

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4 Reasons Why - Forensics ?

3) Engaging students interest

By providing an air of mystery and glamour, forensic science engages even reluctant students in the scientific process and helps them think like scientists about authentic problems – one of the ultimate goals of science education (William et al., 2004)

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4 Reasons Why - Forensics ?

4) Engages Students in Critical Thinking–Critical Thinking > Asking Questions• “How do these people estimate the time of

death?”• “How do these people know those bones belong

to the a male / female and estimating their physique?”• “Why looking for the weapon used in a crime is

important?”

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What do Students say?

• 96 % of the students found Forensic Science interesting and relevant.

• “It’s exciting to be able to piece the different puzzles of the mystery.”• “Have always watched CSI and very puzzled how do

they estimate the time of death, this course has taught me how they actually do it.”• “Evokes our inquisitive nature and I like mysteries.

Forensic science is a unique way of learning biology and chemistry concepts.”• “I love the activities in the lab! So real-life!!!”

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Video of an Interview

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How can I transfer this session to my own subject?

• An issue / field / area that is interdisciplinary that “provide an air of mystery”.

• A topic that can be taught in many domains (interdisciplinary) and of all ages.

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I WANT TO TRY …

• Fingerprinting Activity• Loops (65%), Whorls (15%) and Arches (5%)• Do ensure that you do not press your fingers

too hard on the ink-pad because too much ink will cause the print to be smudged and thus blurred.

• You may want to use a magnifying glass to examine your fingerprints.

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Finger Print Types

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Are you a potential violent criminal?

• American special agent, James Barr, compared the fingerprints of 175 men convicted of violent crimes, such as murder and robbery with violence, against those of 50 non-criminals.

• Barr found that the violent criminals had far more arches and loops and fewer whorls than the non-criminals.

• Another study revealed that some violent criminals have an extra Y chromosome (not XY as is usual for males, but XYY).

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