The use of forensic science is of interest to many of today's chemistry students. This presentation will discuss development of a forensic science unit to be used in a high school chemistry class. Highlights of the unit are lab experiences, guest speakers, field trips, and prospective readings. The culminating activity asks students to solve a mystery using techniques they learned throughout the unit. Back to top list.
Forensic science offers many interesting and novel ways of teaching general chemistry.
The relevance of the scientific method and good laboratory technique are clearly evident when viewed in relation to solving crimes. Forensic science is full of examples of the practical application of chemistry to topics including arson investigation, glass fragment comparison, fingerprinting, drug analysis and alcohol testing. In addition, implementing crime scenes as a means of laboratory investigation increases students' interest in chemistry and enables them to develop critical thinking skills. Back to top list. The instruction was offered to a wide range of students in a five-week modular format so that any one or all of the modules could be accessed.