Science 

Year 11 Forensic Science 

To conclude the Forensic Science unit, the Year 11 General Integrated Science students were called upon to solve two crime scenes: a burglary and the discovery of an unknown white powder, suspected of being an illicit drug. 

The "real-life'' scenarios were staged in the M5 Science lab, where the crime scene area was cordoned off to prevent contamination of the trace evidence.

Students were given details about the crime scenes, various depositions were read from the suspects of the case, and then students carried out a series of tests on the trace evidence found at the scene. 

Hair strands were viewed under the microscope, latent fingerprints were lifted from the glass door pane, ‘'blood'’ spatter was analysed for blood typing, a partial footprint at the crime scene needed to be matched with suspect footprints, along with DNA profiles. The white powder found on the floor needed to undergo a series of tests, including heating and mixing with reagents to discover the powder’s composition. Finally, messages in cipher were decrypted in order to obtain extra clues to solve the mystery.

Special thanks to our lab technician Ms Debbie Nugent, who prepared all the necessary materials and analysing equipment for the crime scenes, and members of the Science Department who ‘donated’ the trace evidence.

Here are some thoughts about the experience from students of the Integrated Science course:

“I thought the crime scene was more interesting having a real-life situation in it, and solving the crime using the content we studied in class. It was challenging to figure out each piece of trace evidence, and then, as a class, put it together to find the criminal”.  

Thayne Bridge

“It was interesting to find all the trace evidence and compare that to the samples from the suspect. I found it enjoyable, not only the crime scene activity, but also the whole course”. 

                                                                                                                                                 Paige Hale

“It was really ‘cool’ to get to use the skills we learnt during the semester in the crime scenes, and I learnt a lot from it. The first crime scene was a lot easier than the second one, but overall it was a really good experience”.                            

Tennille Halliday

“Lifting fingerprints off the laboratory door proved to be a challenge, as there was a large quantity of them! Regardless, it was an interesting experience for all those involved”.

                                                                                                                                            Amelie Momus

“The crime scenes were a really good way to end the term. Some of the things which I personally got to do was looking at people’s DNA profiles, analysing different blood samples, observing footprints and fingerprints, and decoding cryptic messages”.

                                                                                                                                              Sandia Shiju

Ms D Tersigni

(Year 11 Integrated Science Teacher)