CSI: Introduction to Science

Overview

For the first unit in this class, you will learn about the principles of science and the scientific method by being introduced to the mysterious death of Anna Garcia. You will play the role of crime scene investigators to examine key information gathered from interviews of friends, family members, and people of interest, as well as examine the scene for clues. Next you will play the role of forensic scientists to analyze each piece of evidence collected from the crime scene in order to try to determine what happened at Anna’s house and to identify potential suspects. You will learn how to design an experiment and perform an experiment to determine how ambient temperature affects the rate of cooling in a dead body. Finally, you will design and perform an experiment to investigate how height affects bloodstain patterns and use the results to determine the height that caused the bloodstain patterns found at Anna’s house.

Essential Understandings

  1. Principles of science can be used in many real world ways, including to investigate the circumstances surrounding a mysterious death.
  2. Experiments are designed to find answers to testable questions.
  3. The principles of science and the scientific method are important to investigators trying to piece together what happened during the commission of a crime.

Essential Questions

  1. What can be done at a scene of a mysterious death to help reconstruct what happened?
  2. How do the clues found at a scene of a mysterious death help investigators determine what might have occurred and help identify or exonerate potential suspects?
  3. How do scientists design experiments to find the most accurate answer to the question they are asking?
  4. How are bloodstain patterns left at a crime scene used to help investigators establish the events that took place during a crime?

Introduction

It is 10:20am on August 14th in Anytown, USA. The police have searched the house and secured the scene. Because the manner of death has not been determined and there are no witnesses, the police are temporarily referring to the scene as a crime scene until they have more information. It is now time for your team to begin your investigation. The scene appears to be limited to the front entry hallway, a 10’ x 15’ space. It is essential that the scene is systematically searched, documented, and all evidence is properly collected. In this activity you will play the role of crime scene investigators to examine the scene for clues.

Day I: Organizing Ideas

  1. Note that it is your job in this unit to determine Anna’s manner of death. Was her death a homicide, an accident, or due to natural causes?
  2. Think about the best way to organize all of your evidence from Unit 1. Pay attention to the following listed below. Note: You will continue evidence analysis in the remaining parts of this unit.
  3. Examination of the scene
  4. Information gathered from the persons of interest, including whereabouts and potential motives
  5. Analysis of evidence from the scene
  6. Evidence from initial examination of the body
  1. Obtain a Unit 1 – Investigative Notes Resource Sheet. Note that you will use this sheet to compile any ideas you may have about the case or interpret any new evidence. You will use your Investigative Notes to help craft a final case report and determine the manner of death at the end of the unit.
  2. Work within your investigative group to develop a plan. How will you examine the crime scene? How will you take detailed notes? How will you keep track of all the information you have collected? Brainstorm with your group and review your plan of attack. We will share out as a group at the end.

Day I: Crime Scene Search Methods

  1. Obtain a Crime Scene Search Methods resource sheet from your teacher.
  2. Familiarize yourself with each search method.
  3. Based on what you know about the scene, determine which search method you think is most appropriate. Discuss your ideas with a partner.
  4. Answer the question – Which search method do you think is most appropriate for this crime scene? Explain your reasoning.

Day II: Crime Scene Examination

  1. Create a header on your Unit 1 - Investigative Notes sheet that says Clues.
  1. Review the background information about the crime scene below.

It was a hot, 92°F summer morning. The emergency call came in at 9:45 am. A man contacted the police to report that he was worried about his next door neighbor, a woman named Anna Garcia. He informed the police that he had spoken to Anna the previous morning when he saw her walking her dog around 6:30 am. He noted that she was wearing a sweater even though they were currently experiencing a heat wave. He decided to call the police that morning because Anna’s dog had been barking excitedly for the last two hours (which is extremely unusual in this normally quiet suburban neighborhood). He tried to call Anna on the telephone, but no one answered. Next he tried ringing her doorbell, but there was no answer. The 911 operator notified the local police and the emergency medical technicians (EMT). Both the police and the EMT arrived at the scene at 9:56 am. The front door had to be broken down. Upon entering the house, they found Anna lying face down in the entry hallway. It was a comfortable 73˚F inside the house. The EMT determined that Anna was dead. The police immediately notified your team of crime scene investigators as well as the medical examiner, both of whom were dispatched to the house. Has a crime been committed?The mystery begins! It is your job to put together as many pieces of information as you can find. (Don’t worry – the dog was taken to the home of close family friends and is doing just fine.)

  1. Add any pertinent information from the background information to your Investigative Notes sheet.
  2. Note that you will now process the scene (either in person or via presentation).
  3. Add a header to your Unit 1- Investigative Notes that says Crime Scene.
  4. Take diligent notes of your findings on your notes sheet. If you are walking through the crime scene, make sure to take precise measurements and be careful not to disturb anything.
  5. Obtain a Crime Scene Sketch Resource Sheet.
  6. Create a sketch of the scene on the Resource Sheet that includes a scale (remember that the crime scene is 10’ x 15’), a key, and a legend (which includes the date, time, location, and temperature). Use the crime scene sketch below as your example. NOTE: This diagram does NOT relate to Anna Garcia and is provided for clarification of what a diagram should include.
  7. Add a header to your Unit 1- Investigative Notes sheet that says Theories.
  8. Based on what you know so far, write down three theories for what you think might have happened to Anna.
  9. File your completed crime scene sketch and your Investigative Notes in the appropriate tab of your course file. Use the PBS Course File – Table of Contents as a guide.
  10. Answer the Conclusion question.

Conclusion

  1. Referencing one item you documented in your search, explain why taking precise measurements is important when investigating a case.