And it takes excellent chemistry skills in the analyses to arrive at a sound conclusion. This was the third year for a program that has grown in the number of participating schools and students each year. Schools are placed in teams that work together to unravel the forensics problem. Downs said students in each school have certain elements of the mystery and must share their research. The Internet is used heavily for e-mail discussions, research and posting results to Web sites.
Students also use fax machines and telephones to stay in touch as the mystery unfolds.
Using these, they must prove scientifically that a suspect is guilty. It is a very good module for problem solving. They answer students' questions on collecting and analyzing evidence. Kathy Burke, ICEA project manager and a graduate student, said the forensics module generates a great deal of student interest and interaction, including more than 100 e-mail messages. For example, students asked each other about the difference between color and tint, and the difference between a hair follicle and the hair itself.