ETL 501 ASSIGNMENT2
September 2010
The Macquarie Dictionary defines forensic as:
1.
“Relating to, connected with, or used in courts of law or public
discussion and debate” (Macquarie University, 1999)
This pathfinder will be useful in finding information about what a forensic scientist does and provides information to enable you to undertake some of your own forensic investigations. This pathfinder will enable you to pursue the research side of your Year
9 science topic “Forensics.”
While working through this unit refer to the Information Skills
Process Model and keep asking yourself:
1.
What do I really want to find out?
2.
Where can I find the information I need?
3.
What information do I really need to use?
4.
How can I use this information?
5.
How can I present this information?
6.
What did I learn from this?
General references
Wikepedia
This will give you plenty of information with links to more.
Search Terms
(Use for computer searches) As well as using Google try some different search engines e.g. yahoo for kids , Kids Click or
Ask Kids to search for:

Forensics for kids

Crime scene simulations

Fingerprinting

Gathering evidence

Criminal investigations

Criminology

Forensic anatomist

Identikit

Profiling

Autopsy

Arsonist

Ballistics

Toxicologist

Pathologist
Add “for kids” or “for school” to filter your search

Use My Library to search the library at
Woodenbong Central School and
Bonalbo Central school
 The catalogue lists all resources in print and video.

Electronic resources can be accessed through “ Links4learning ”
Call Number

363.25

500
________________________________

BOOKS
500 JAM Forensic Science: Selected topics
James, T. (1990). Forensic science: selected topics.
Cheltenham: Thornes.
ABOUT THIS BOOK: Provides a wealth of material regarding forensic Science. This book links science to an understanding of what really happens in the real world. The book is in a simple readable form and is supported by activities for students to complete (experiments, exercises and word puzzles).
363.25023 Forensic scientists
Inserra, R. (2004). Scientists at Work: Forensic Scientists.
South Yarra: Macmillan
Education Australia Pty ltd.
ABOUT THIS BOOK: This book describes the roles of a forensic scientist, how the science of forensics has developed. The tools of a forensic scientist are outlined and real cases described. Provides a very good printed outline of forensics and contains useful links and a glossary of terms.
363.25 OWE Police lab: how forensic science tracks down and convicts criminals
Owen, D. (2002). Police lab: how forensic science tracks down and convicts criminals.
London: New Burlington.
ABOUT THIS BOOK:
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NAME OF SITE
Fingerprints
ADDRESS http://tlf.dlr.det.nsw.edu.au/learningobjects/Content/L1465/object/index.html
ABOUT THIS SITE: Excellent site which clearly outlines how fingerprints are left and how fingerprints are obtained and used in forensic analysis. Includes clear diagrams, movie clips and activities. Links to other sites provide more information.

Footprints
Fibres and hair
Forensic science: identikit http://tlf.dlr.det.nsw.edu.au/learningobjects/Content/L1466/object/index.html
ABOUT THIS SITE: Outlines what footprints can tell us and how this information is important for the forensic scientist. Includes directions on how to make your own plaster footprint cast and includes on line interactive material.
http://tlf.dlr.det.nsw.edu.au/learningobjects/Content/L1464/object/index.html
ABOUT THIS SITE: Describes how hair and fibre provide useful information for the forensic scientist at a crime scene. The processes involved in analyzing hair and fibre are outlined.
http://tlf.dlr.det.nsw.edu.au/learningobjects/Content/L1468/object/index.html
ABOUT THIS SITE: Provides an on line interactive activity in using a simulated identikit to identify a suspect.
FBI investigates : a strange flashlight
Forensic Science
:handwriting
Forensic science: Blood http://tlf.dlr.det.nsw.edu.au/learningobjects/Content/L1467/object/index.html
ABOUT THIS SITE: Describes how handwriting analysis can be useful in forensic science. Includes an on line interactive activity to “see how good a forger you are”.
The processes involved in analyzing samples are described. http://tlf.dlr.det.nsw.edu.au/learningobjects/Content/L1463/object/index.html
ABOUT THIS SITE: Describes how blood analysis is useful in forensic science. Includes a link to find out more about blood from the Australian red cross as well as a link to more information and an on line quiz. An on line activity will enable you to identify a blood type.
http://www.fbi.gov/kids/6th12th/investigates/investigates.htm
ABOUT THIS SITE: An informative interesting and easy to rerad description of a forensic investigation. Follows a case from start to finish as it makes its way through various units of the fbi la boratory. Links are provided to explain “how did they do that?”
Who dunnit http://www.cyberbee.com/whodunnit/crime.html
ABOUT THIS SITE: An excellent interactive site which enables you to develop those skills which might be used by a forensic scientist then apply those skills to solve an on line crime
Contact your local police to see if they have any police type magazines or other information.

All about forensic science 363.25 Breitenmoser, K. (Director). (2007). All about forensic science ( Clickview digital video library ) [Motion Picture]
ABOUT THIS VIDEO:
Describes the role of a forensic scientist on a day to day basis and the role they play in solving crimes and convicting criminals
Forensic science in action from crime scene to courtroom 363.25 Clickview
Breitenmoser, K. (Director). (2007). Forensic science in action from crime scene to
courtroom ( Clickview video recording )
ABOUT THIS VIDEO:
This video deals with the forensic evidence of a mock up crime. Follows the gathering of evidence from a crime scene to showing how evidence may be used in the courtroom .
Infallible witness 190 SCI Video recording Morin, B. (Director). (1997). infallible witness [Motion Picture].
ABOUT THIS VIDEO
: This video presents case studies of real crimes and the forensic procedures which were carried out in order to gain a conviction.
Tainted evidence forensics on trial 363.25 clickview video recording Hunka,
R., & Sawa, T. (Directors). (2006). Tainted evidence forensics on trial
(Clickview video recording) .
ABOUT THIS VIDEO:
In many cases forensic evidence is found to be faulty. This program investigates four stories where forensic evidence was found to be not accurate or wrong.
KITS
K365.25 Science Kit – CSIRO Forensics.
ABOUT THIS KIT:
Contains all the materials required to undertake a simple forensics investigation.e.g. dusting for fingerprints, anlysing handwriting, examining hair and fibre, ink chromatography and plaster casts.
KEY WORDS AND THER MEANING:
Anatomist Forensic anatomist use modeling to reconstruct faces
Arsonist
Assassin
People who set fire to a house or property on purpose
Murders who kill well known people

Autopsy
Ballistics
Botanist
Criminologist
Entomologist
Fibres
Fingerprints
DNA
Fraud
Identikit
Pathologist
Post mortem
Reconstruct
Saliva
Toxicologist
Examination of a body after death to determine the cause of death
Science of firearms
A scientist who studies plants
A scientist who studies crime
A scientist who studies insects
Fine threads made from natural or non natural materials
An impression of markings of the finger
The component of our genes.
Dishonesty in order to gain an advantage
A set of pictures of typical facial characteristics used to form a likeness
A scientist who studies the origin nature and cause of disease
Examination of a body after death to determine the cause of death
Rebuild from available data
A clear fluid produced in the mouth
A scientist who studies poisons in the body