Grades 7 Details

INVESTIGATE! EXAMINE! DISCOVER! FORENSICS!

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be a crime scene investigator? Join us for a fun filled year of forensic science at UH Manoa to find out! Students will be transported back in time to investigate a crime scene that took place during the 1800’s and discover the skills needed to become fabulous forensic scientists. Students will be transformed into experts on hair and finger print analysis, evaluating shoe prints, blood testing, and even bloodstain pattern analysis! They will also explore the importance of DNA evidence in solving crimes. Every successful investigation requires teamwork! Students will sharpen up their group work skills and learn effective ways to collaborate with each other in these labs.

Lab 1

Time Wrap to the 19th Century

During the first class, students explore what life was like in the 1800s. Then, they learn the details of a terrible crime that occurred during this period and become familiar with the victims, suspects, and evidence collected.

September 2, 2023
10 AM - 12 PM

Lab 2

Please, No Vampires!

This class allows students to explore the fascinating science behind human blood types. Students will analyze blood evidence from the crime scene. Here, they learn the importance of cross-contamination in investigations and what to consider when multiple suspects have the same blood type.

September 9, 2023
10 AM - 12 PM

Lab 3

It's a Bloody Mess!

Bloodstain pattern analysis allows forensic scientists to recreate crime scene events. In this class, students create their own reference blood spatters to investigate the roles of impact and force in creating unique patterns. Students analyze pictures from the crime scene to hypothesize what events took place back in 1842.

September 23, 2023
10 AM - 12 PM

Lab 4

A Hair Raising Experience!

In this class, students learn how to analyze hair samples under a microscope. Did you know hair consists of intricate patterns that can only be seen with a microscope? Students will analyze samples collected at the crime scene to begin to narrow down the suspects!

September 30, 2023
10 AM - 12 PM

Lab 5

One in a Billion?

Forensic DNA analysis is a powerful tool to accurately convict the guilty and exonerate the innocent. Students will become a restriction enzyme to create their own DNA fingerprints. Having evaluated the importance of DNA in forensic investigations, students are ready to examine DNA evidence from the crime scene.

October 7, 2023
10 AM - 12 PM

Lab 6

Dusting for Fingerprints

Before they analyze crime scene evidence, students investigate and practice the careful art of dusting for latent, or invisible, prints from evidence taken from the crime scene. Be careful, you don’t want to confuse your fingerprints with the evidence!

October 28, 2023
10 AM - 12 PM

Lab 7

Not two are alike!

Fingerprint analysis is all about patterns. In this class, students learn to identify these patterns and analyze fingerprints lifted from the crime scene. Students will also prepare shoe impressions to get a head start on the next class.

November 11, 2023
10 AM - 12 PM

Lab 8

Cover your Tracks!

Impressions left by shoes provide key evidence that can help solve a crime. Students will inspect impressions left at the crime scene and make their very own shoe impression to keep! For the last clue, students will investigate descriptions of individuals seen around the time of the murder.

November 18, 2023
10 AM - 12 PM

Lab 9

Who Dunnit?

The data are in! It is time for students to compile the evidence and build their arguments. Will each group come to the same conclusion? Get ready to make your case for the Grande Finale!

December 9, 2023
10 AM - 12 PM