Our study on forensics continues!

In Mrs. Moss's class this week, we started by learning how to take and analyze fingerprints. Everyone's fingerprints are unique, even identical twins! We practiced taking each other's prints using the same materials and documents that investigators use. Students were then challenged to identify patterns of loops, arches, and whorls.

Next, we explored the concept of hidden evidence. Using a special chemical called luminol, we learned how it reacts with "blood" (a safe, simulated version using an iron supplement pill) to produce a glow, revealing its presence even when invisible to the naked eye. We had a blast using this technique to locate a hidden "crime scene" element!

Later, we learned about the process of chromatography. Chromatography is a laboratory technique used to separate a mixture into its individual components. For example, a black marker is not simply made up of just black dye. It is actually made up of many different colors. Our experiment proved this!

We then turned our attention to shoe prints, again. Using real shoeprint photographs from crime scenes, we learned how to compare them to suspect shoes. We discussed how the patterns, wear and tear, and even individual characteristics like cuts or embedded pebbles can help forensic scientists identify a suspect. 

Finally, we tackled the intriguing world of polygraphs, or "lie detectors." While we learned that polygraph tests aren't always accurate at detecting lies, they can detect physiological changes like heart rate and sweat production that might be associated with stress or deception. Students played "2 Truths and 1 Lie" as a fun way to spot a "liar." We watched for all the "signs" we learned about. We were pretty good at spotting the lie!