November Forensic Science Lesson Plans Date Objectives Activities Standards 10/29 Mon Differentiate between 3 types of soils. Analyze the pH, color, and texture of different soils Operate a stereoscopic microscope Soil Analysis Reading Worksheet (15 mins) Read through “Soil Analysis” Lab (15 mins): What is pH? Using the Vernier Interfaces and pH probes to gather data Soil Analysis Lab (50 mins)- Analyze 3 soil samples- color, particle size, pH, etc. HW: Reading worksheet MSCS 1: BM 1, 2 MSCS 3: BM 1 10/31 Wed (75 mins) Identify the ways glass is analyzed as trace evidence Define refractive index and density Describe how bullet hole patterns in glass can solve a crime Glass as Trace Evidence (15 mins): Bullet holes in glass- determine bullet order and what side of the glass the bullet went through, Fracture Matching, Light Bulb filaments- Was the light on or off? Bullet Hole Order Lab (30 mins) Notes- PPT- glass, paint, and other trace evidence (20 mins) Demo: Refractive index water vs. glycerin (glass stirring rods) MSCS 1: BM 1, 2 MSCS 2: BM 4 11/2 Fri Define density and apply its equation to determine the mass, the volume, or the density of an object. Measure the density of different glass samples to solve a crime scene scenario Review Glass as Trace Evidence Mystery Canisters lab (30 mins) Density equation, How to find mass and volume, How does density relate to trace evidence?- glass Review: Trace Evidence HW: Density problems for homework (15 mins); Test Tuesday MSCS 1: BM 1, 2 MSCS 2: BM 4
11/8 Thurs Evaluate student knowledge of trace evidence Test (40 mins) Read “Firearms” and complete Question (20 mins)- Types of firearms, Components of a cartridge case, Definition of ballistics HW: Finish question sheet MSCS 1: BM 2 11/12 Mon Identify the types of firearms Describe the components of a cartridge Explain ballistics and identify how it can be used to solve a crime Begin Chapter 4: Firearms- Pre-assessment (10 mins) What types of firearms are there? What is the difference between a handgun and a shoulder firearm? What is ballistics? Firearms and ballistics PPT (30 mins)- Notes and Video shorts Bullet Comparison Activity (30 mins) MSCS 1: BM 1, 2 11/14 Wed List examples of different types of forces, as they pertain to ballistics Describe situations that illustrate Newton’s three laws of motion Ballistics (75 mins) Forces acting on a bullet- Internal ballistics, External ballistics, Terminal ballistics, Newton’s Laws of motion Ballistics/Physics Webquest (60 mins)- How does gravity impact a bullet? How does muzzle velocity impact a bullet? Forces acting on a bullet HW: Finish webquest for homework MSCS 2: BM 5 11/16 Fri List examples of different types of forces, as they pertain to ballistics Describe situations that illustrate Newton’s three laws of motion Use angles and trigonometry to determine missing variables in a ballistics problem Review ballistics; turn in webquest Discussion: What variables can be learned from a bullet hole embedded in a wall? (20 mins) Discuss angles and importance in determining bullet trajectory Trigonometry- finding missing variables SOHCAHTOA (Sin, Cosine, and Tangent) Trigonometry practice problems (20 mins) “Where’s the Shooter Lab” (35 mins) Use a protractor to find angles MSCS 2: BM 5
11/20 Tues List examples of different types of forces, as they pertain to ballistics Describe situations that illustrate Newton’s three laws of motion Use angles and trigonometry to determine missing variables in a ballistics problem Finish Shooter Lab (30 mins) Analyze CSI Episode (45 mins)- Compare facts and fallacies of episode MSCS 2: BM 5 11/27 Tues List examples of different types of forces, as they pertain to ballistics Describe situations that illustrate Newton’s three laws of motion Use angles and trigonometry to determine missing variables in a ballistics problem Projectile Motion Lab: Build a mini catapult using popsicle sticks and tape. Collect Data and Analyze: Students will use their catapult to experiment with the launch angle and its relationship to distance traveled, flight time, and velocity Review for Test- Next Class MSCS 2: BM 5 11/29 Tues Evaluate student understanding over unit List examples of different types of forces, as they pertain to ballistics Describe situations that illustrate Newton’s three laws of motion Review Ballistics and Firearms (10 mins) Firearms and Ballistics Test (30 mins) Read Chapter 4- Fingerprint Characteristics (45 mins) Discuss 3 main types of fingerprints and characteristics MSCS 2: BM 5 MSCS 1: BM 2 12/1 Thurs Identify the 3 major classes of fingerprints Discuss how the 3 major classes of fingerprints differ Fingerprint Classification PowerPoint (35 mins)- Complete handout Fingerprint Activity (20 mins)- Make own fingerprint cards with ink- classify prints Ridge Characteristics (20 mins)- Look for ridge characteristics MSCS 1: BM 2