Do You See Dead Bodies?

Let’s find out how to solve crimes – in the convenience of home.

Forensics is the practical application of science to matters of the law. You may have seen TV shows such as CSI, Bones, or Law and Order. All of these feature forensics in terms of figuring out crimes. Partly because of the popularity of these shows, forensics is becoming a popular career.  Forensics is more than blood and guts; in fact, you don’t need to get your hands dirty at all. There are many ways to look for evidence and analyze it: by observation, by experimentation, even crunching numbers. AND, the law is more than just crimes; you might use forensics to make a case for changing your bedtime hours…

Connect:

Rice University has a fun website on all things forensic: http://forensics.rice.edu/en/Fun-Stuff/ They include free downloadable learning activities, guide to family activities that can be done at home, online activities, and cool links to even more information.

Explore at least one activity under each guide. Here are some suggestions:

> Test your powers of observation at http://forensics.rice.edu/en/materials/activity_four.pdf

> See strands of DNA with your own eyes: see page 3 of the family guide.

> Track down answers to a forensic quiz with an online scavenger hunt: http://forensics.rice.edu/en/Fun-Stuff/OA/Scavenger-Hunt.html

> How much can you deduce after searching these crime scenes? http://dsc.discovery.com/

Create:

Let’s create our own forensic materials!

> What does handwriting reveal about people? Construct your own handwriting quiz by using http://forensics.rice.edu/en/materials/activity_one.pdf.

> Make your own fake blood, and investigate its splatters: see page 2 of the family guide.

> Try your hand at forensic art after looking at http://www.forensicartist.com/

Care:

> How can you protect your home and community from fire? Check out these fire prevention games: http://www.befiresmart.com/

> How can you safeguard your family from computer-cyber crime? Check out this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MbBYIPOPcgk

Research some good practices on http://www.fbi.gov/scams-safety/, and make your own animated video, using http://www.xtranormal.com, to help others be safe.

Careers:

What might you do as a forensics professional? Be a medical examiner, be a crime scene examiner, be a crime laboratory analyst, be a forensic engineer. You can also provide assistance using skills of psychology, statistics, computers, or drawing.

> Become a Crime Scene Investigator: Check out page 1 of the family guide.

> Learn about several different forensic disciplines as you try to solve the murder of playboy Robert Hughes: http://www.museevirtuel-virtualmuseum.ca/sgc-cms/expositions-exhibitions/detective-investigator/en/game/index.php