Year 10 Science – Forensic Characteristics!
Context
Who dunnit? In this activity, you will solve a crime using a database.
Background
Databases
In this exercise, you will use a database of people to search (interrogate) it for clues.. The information
builds from the smallest unit of computer information, a bit, to the largest in this activity, a database. The
process can be visualised as follows:
Bit
0 or 1

Byte 
String

Field

Record
 Database
character
set of characters a collection of characters a collection of fields a collection of records
or an image
Keywords
The most important step when searching a database is to identify the keywords of your topic. Writing
down some QUESTIONS about your clues will help with keyword searching. Always try and NARROW
your search, so that it is not too GENERAL. Develop a range of keywords for your topic by using a
THESAURUS
Boolean Operators
A way to further refine a search is to use several keywords together and specify a relationship between
them. The most common way to do this on a search engine or database is using Boolean operators.
Examples of Boolean operators are AND (+), OR (/), NOT (<>), NOT AND (NAND, <>+), NOT OR (NOR,
<>/), although there are others.
When you use a search engine using multiple keywords, it usually uses the AND function automatically –
eg a search for monkey new world is actually monkeyANDnewANDworld and gives any page that contains
all three words anywhere on the page. A search using quotation marks finds pages where the text is found
together eg “monkey new world” looks for this phrase (and would return no hits) while new world monkeys
would find many hits.
Depending on the search engine or database, the other operators may have different symbols – check the
appropriate help file for the program.
Within a database, searching is known as filtering or applying a filter. The term filtering is using throughout
this document. This tutorial deals with the simplest filtering method which makes use of Access’s built in
Find function. This allows you to create filters using a form which accesses the information in the database
records.
In order to successfully create a filter you must be able to apply a variety of operators or expressions to
the database fields so the information you require is located.
Some of the common operators are described below
Operator
>
<
>=
<=
OR
<>
*
*ice
swim*
*in*
Comment
Returns all records greater than the entered value
Returns all records less than the entered value
Returns all records greater than or equal to the
entered value
Returns all records less than or equal to the entered
value
Returns any records which match the first
expression or the second expression
Returns any records that do not match the entered
value
Known as a wild card. Returns any values.
Returns any values that end in ice
Returns any values that start with swim
Returns any values that contain in
Example
>15
<29
>=49
<=32
Smith OR Jones
<>NSW
mice, twice, splice
swimming, swims, swimmer
bin, twins, training
What to Do
Using the clues cards provided, create filters in the database to locate the necessary information.
Provided on each clue card are hints for creating the filters using the Find function. Use the hints
provided to locate the information and then record your answer at the bottom of each clue card.
The activity is presented on the following page in a format similar to one you may use in a
classroom setting.
NEWS FLASH! AUSTRALIA’S TREASURES STOLEN
Several persons have committed a number of serious crimes. They may have been quick but they haven’t
been very careful. That have left clues at each scene and with your help we may locate the criminal.
The seriousness of the crimes has called for drastic action. The recently retired ace detective A.Wake has
returned to battle the forces of evil. The citizens of Australia are relying on him to solve the cases.
Will A. Wake be able to help? Will criminals like Danny the Dingo, Maid Maxine, Bill Be or Nobrain
succeed?
Join Identify as an apprentice and do the case work. Look at all the clues and use the human characteristics
records of convicted criminals contained in the database to help find the criminal.
Warning:
Some of the eye-witnesses are less than reliable. In fact, they can be down right untrustworthy.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION, PLEASE READ
Log into the computer, go to Programs and start MS Access 2007.
Open the Acess database
Once the application has started, open the database from the main menu using File and then Open. The file
is located in MyClasses/10 Science 2008/ForensicCharacteristics.accdb
An update from Senior Detective Im Alert
Five people have just been identified as possible perpetrators of a number of recently committed crimes. The only
problem is that their names are not known. Only a mysterious riddle can unmask these people. Solve this riddle and
identify the criminal. Here is the riddle.
From liquid to gas
I can be heated
From liquid to solid
If I am cooled
I am ***
The word appears in their names not in any other place.
Hint: If you click on “Form1” on the left hand pane, you should see the information below.
The name you are looking for contains the letters ice.
The name category on the form has two text entry boxes. The first box contains Given Names and the second
Surnames.
Place the cursor in the Surname field and type the search query *ice*.
Three records are found. These can be viewed by pressing Return for each record.
Filter
*ice*
Answer:
Explanation
Locates anything like ice
The first * symbol indicate a match with any characters before the letters ice.
The second * indicates a match with any characters after the letters ice. For
example, this filter will find mice, entice, vice, ice
THE SCENE OF THE CRIME
A rare CD ROM has been stolen from Fish Records. The police found the following clues.
 a take-away menu from a restaurant that sells fish and chips.
 an imitation woman’s Gucci watch.
 a tennis racquet.
 suspect left footprints outside the shop in newly laid cement. The shoe size was determined as 26cm toe to
heel and was made by a sport shoe.
EYE-WITNESS REPORT:

No eyewitnesses have been located
Hint: before creating a new filter, you must clear any filters currently applied to the database so the new filter can be
applied to all the records in the database. From the main menu, click on Filter.
To create a new filter, select Text Filters from the main menu bar and then choose an appropriate filter.
Unselect all fields except the Shoesize field. A size 9 shoe equates to a shoe length of 26cm. So you are looking for
someone with a size 9 shoe. Type the numeral 9 in the shoe size field.
As a woman’s watch was found, it can be assumed the thief is probably woman. Use the mouse to click inside the
radio box next to female.
Filter
9
Female
AND
Answer:
Explanation
Locates a match for any entries in the car field that are an exact match for 9.
For example 9 ½ would not be a match. You could have also typed the filter
into the text box if you wanted rather than using the drop down menu.
Locates an exact match for records for female
As you have entered two search criteria, this performs an AND search. Records
will be display that have a match for both criteria i.e. 9 and female
THE SCENE OF THE CRIME
A replica of the last Tasmanian Tiger was stolen from the Australian Museum. The Police found the following clues.
 a skipping rope
 a brochure about the opening of a new gym
 a passport photo
EYE-WITNESS REPORT
 The suspect had dark hair.
Hint: you could look for people who are physically fit or who have dark hair.
To create a new filter, select Text Filters from the main menu bar and then choose an appropriate filter.
Use the mouse to click once in the Hair Colour field. This will reveal a menu of hair colours. Select Brown.
In Other facts type *gym*
In Other facts type *gym* again.
A number of records should be found. Press Return to view each record.
Filter
Brown
Explanation
Locates records that contain brown in the hair colour field
*gym*
AND
Locates any records that contain gym i.e gym, gymnatics, gymnasium,
Assumes an AND search i.e match records with black hair colour and other
facts contains gym
This creates an OR search. Combines with the AND search.
The hair colour is not specific so it could be black OR brown. By entering
black and brown, the search will locate anyone who has these hair colourings
as well as Other facts equalling gym
Request
Answer:
THE SCENE OF THE CRIME
Two tickets to the Big Day Out have been stolen from the Prime Minister. The Police found the following clues.
 a packet of chips with greasy finger prints on the outside
 a left handed pair of scissors
 a blood smear on the door through which the thief escaped was identified as type AB+
EYE-WITNESS REPORT

The suspect limped to a waiting car.
Hint: you could look for people with ho has blood type AB+, may have an injury to a leg/s and is left handed.
To create a new filter, select Text Filters from the main menu bar and then choose an appropriate filter.
Create the AND search by selecting the Blood type field and equals AB+
Select the Dexterity field and type the filter left*
Enter *limp* in Other facts
As you don’t know the cause of the limp or if it is something new, you could assume a leg injury to broaden the
search. To broaden the search use OR.
Filter
AND
OR
Answer:
Explanation
Locates a suspect who is left handed, has a blood type AB+ and who may have
a limp.
Combines with the AND search to locate a suspect who is left-handed, has a
blood type AB+ and who may have a problem with their leg.
THE SCENE OF THE CRIME
A dog belonging to Kylie Minogue has been stolen. The Police found the following clues.
 A set of false teeth
 A handkerchief with blood on it. It was later identified as A.
 a high heeled shoe
EYE-WITNESS REPORT
 The suspect appeared scared and hobbled away when the Police helicopter went overhead.
Hint: The eye witness report seems to indicate the suspect was old or infirmed. False teeth indicate the dental pattern
will have one or more missing teeth, the blood type can be determined from the handkerchief and high heeled shoes
are usually worn by females.
To create a new filter, select Text Filters from the main menu bar and then choose an appropriate filter.
Select the field Blood type. Type A*.
Select the field Age and enter the filter >60
Select Female
Filter
>60
A*
Female
Answer:
Explanation
The > (greater than) symbol indicates you want all numbers in the Age field
which are greater than 60. For example, 61, 69, 73
Will return those records which are an match for A rhesus positive or negative
blood types
Locates an exact match for records for female
THE SCENE OF THE CRIME
A valuable statue of a kangaroo has been stolen from the National Parliament in Canberra. The Police found the
following clues.
 A T shirt size XXXL
 strands of grey hair
 a pair of green thongs
EYE-WITNESS REPORT

The suspect was tall
Hint: use the fields Other Facts, weight and height to locate the suspect.
To create a new filter, select Text Filters from the main menu bar and then choose an appropriate filter.
Select the Height field. From the menu that appears select greater than or equal. The greater than or equal symbol
will be added to the field. Type 170
Click on the small dropdown arrow next to Symbols on the left of the screen. From the menu that appears select
greater than. The greater than symbol will be added to the field. Type 110
Place the cursor in the field Other Facts and enter the filter *thongs*
Filter
>170
>110
*thongs*
Answer:
Explanation
The > (greater than) symbol indicates you want Heights greater than 170.
Assuming anyone with a height of more than 170cm is classified as tall.
If you entered <170 (less than) you would locate records with a height less than
170cm
If you wanted to include 170 use the greater than or equal symbol
The > (greater than) symbol indicates you want Weight greater than 110kg.
Assuming anyone with a shirt size XXXL is going to be large person.
Locates any reference to the series of letters thongs in the Other facts field
THE SCENE OF THE CRIME
A gold keychain in the shape of a DNA molecule has been stolen from the rock group INXS. The Police found the
following clues.
 a lock of blonde hair
 a walking stick
 a ticket to an INXS concert
EYE-WITNESS REPORT

The suspect made an SMS message on a Nokia mobile phone before tossing away the phone and leaving the
scene
Hint: use the fields hair colour and age to locate the suspect.
To create a new filter, select Text Filters from the main menu bar and then choose an appropriate filter.
Select in the Age field. Enter the filter >20 and <30
Select the Hair colour field, type blond* rather than use the dropdown menu
Select the field Other facts and enter your own filter
Filter
>20 and
<30
blond*
Explanation
The > (greater than) symbol indicates you want all ages greater than 20.
The AND indicates after finding all the records with ages greater than 20, filter
just those records to find those with ages less than 30. The ages returned will
be between 20 and 30.
If you look in the drop down menu for Hair colour, you will notice some
spelling errors for the colour blonde. Using the filter will find all references to
blond and overcomes the spelling errors
Answer:
You are now on your own, there are no more hints.
Good luck!
THE SCENE OF THE CRIME
A bronze statue of Sir McFarlane Burnett has been stolen from outside a laboratory in Melbourne. The Police found
the following clues.
 a bikini bra
 a card with the title, weight and a reading of 35Kg
 a size 3 ballet shoe
EYE-WITNESS REPORT
 The suspect looked extremely thin and had bright pink hair.
Answer:
THE SCENE OF THE CRIME
A set of keys to the Powerhouse Museum have been stolen. The police found the following clues.
 An X-ray of a person’s teeth
 a digital camera with a snapshot of a suspicious character with amazing green and blue eyes.
 a blood donor’s card with the letters OO written on it.
EYE-WITNESS REPORT

A suspect was seen to leave the scene on a striped skateboard.
Answer:
THE SCENE OF THE CRIME
A large medal for weight lifting has been removed from the trophy cabinet at Lane Cove Police
Boys Club. The police found the following clues.



a card wishing someone a happy 21st birthday
traces of black mascara on the cabinet
some strands of brown curly hair trapped in the main doorway of the club.
EYE-WITNESS REPORT
 Suspect was very tall and wearing all a Tai Chi outfit.
Answer:
Glossary
Bit:
Boolean operator:
Byte:
Character:
Database:
Field:
File:
Filter:
Form (View):
Interrogate:
Keyword:
List (View):
Record:
Query:
Search engine:
String:
Wildcard character:
the smallest unit of computer information. A 0 or 1.
A symbol that modifies how a search is carried out. Common operators
are AND, OR, NOT.
a series of bits that form a single unit of computer information eg a
character, a colour, a musical note, etc.
A single letter, number or symbol. This is a single byte.
A file that is a collection of related records
A specific property of an object. It is a collection of strings.
A single set of information that is stored in a computing system.
A set of criteria to narrow a search on a database.
A view on a database that displays one record at a time.
To search a database.
a word used to search a database or on a search engine.
A view on a database that displays all records as a table.
A collection of fields that apply to a particular object.
A specific search of a database to find a particular piece or set of
information.
A web-based application that examines a large number of web pages for
specific references matching a keyword.
A collection of characters.
a character that replaces another character or set of characters when
doing a search. The character ? replaces a single character in the same
position as where the question mark appears eg th?t; the character *
replaces a set of characters before or after a search keyword eg *hat or
tha*
Skills
In this lesson, you will be developing the following skills:
Science Skills
4/5.16. Uses information from a wide variety of sources
(a) Uses a range of sources, including books, internet and library databases
(b) Able to understand and use key words in order to locate appropriate information.
(c) Summarise / draw together important and relevant information from the sources used
4/5.17. Organises information:
(a) Organises information from a variety of sources.
(b) Can identify the differences important and not so important information.
(c) Organises information / research into a structure e.g a diagram or note taking guide.
Information and Computing Skills
1. Operate effectively within the desktop environment
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)
Start up and shut down a computer safely
Manage, organise and arrange files and directories/folders
Copy, delete, move and rename files and directories/folders
Move and resize windows – maximise and minimise windows
Use the operating system’s ‘Find’ feature to locate specific files
Identify ergonomic and OH&S principles related to computer use
2. Perform basic operations within computer software packages
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)
Open and close a required software package
Create a new document
Work with an existing document template
Amend an existing document
Save a document in a specified location
Save a document in a specified format, other than the default format (eg Save As, Text Only
3. Perform core tasks common to software applications
b) Cut, copy and paste information from one location to another
g) Insert a graphic image from an external file
6. Demonstrate basic database skills to create, work with and modify files
a)
c)
e)
f)
Identify basic database terminology (fields, records, files)
Create a simple (flat file) database
Add and delete records to an existing database
Present data in form and list views
8. Demonstrate basic graphics skills to create, work with and modify images
a) Choose an appropriate image, file format and size for a given purpose
b) Create, move, resize, reshape and crop objects
9. Conduct research using information and communication technologies
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
Access data stored on CD-ROMs, private computer networks and the internet
Use a search engine to find desired information
Identify and comply with legal and ethical issues related to plagiarism, copyright and intellectual property
Download and save a file
Select an appropriate search engine when using the internet
For each website used, record the following information (if possible): name of author of page, name of
company or institute for the site, website address, date accessed. The website address should not
have the search engine’s address in it. This should go in the journal.
http://www.google.com.au/search?hl=en&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=hats%2Bfeathers&meta= is an incorrect
address while http://www.dragonflyintl.com/shop/en-us/dept_4.html is correct