CSI: UCS

Murder in the science lab: forensic investigation day - Monday all day

For the very first time, Beyond Words has organised a whole-day laboratory event, which will occupy the whole of Year 8 in a forensic science investigation. There will be presentations by specialists from the School of Physical Sciences at the University of Kent at Canterbury; Margaret Cox, Professor of Forensic Archaeology and Anthropology at Cranfield University, will talk about her work as a forensic anthropologist and osteoarchaeologist; and Colin Evans will tell us about the ‘inventor’ of modern CSI, Sir Bernard Spilsbury. There will be hands-on workshops covering all aspects of crime-scene investigation - including blood-splatter, tool and ballistic analysis. The crime scene will be revealed, and various tests will be undertaken by the student ‘investigators’ to establish whodunnit.

 

Assessing the crime scene:

Crime scenes have to be treated with care so that vital clues are preserved and uncontaminated as forensic evidence is the most important element of any case against a suspected criminal. Investigators will visit the crime scene to observe it in relation to the victim to speculate what happened. They will be responsible for collecting clues and evidence related to the murder.  Investigators will also decide what to do next in order to narrow their search for a criminal.

 

Fingerprint records:

Fingerprints are completely unique to an individual and are made up of whorls, loops, ridges and arch formations. Fingerprints are one of the most important pieces of evidence used identification. Investigators will study fingerprint records to identify the victim.

 

Stomach content analysis:

An autopsy is performed to examine the contents of the stomach if there is a suspicion of poisoning. The contents of the stomach can also help to estimate the time of death.

Investigators will perform such an analysis to determine cause of death.

 

Hair analysis:

Hair analysis is responsible for providing valuable clues to identify an attacker.  Investigators will analyse samples of hair collected from the crime scene to eliminate suspects.

 

Blood analysis:

Forensic scientists measure antigens in blood to determine the blood type of the victim or assailant. Investigators will test recovered blood samples on a blood-typing tray to determine the blood group of the suspect.

 

Karyotype analysis:

Karyotyping is a way of looking at chromosomes as a method of identification. It can also be used to identify genetic problems. Investigators will compare chromosome pairs from suspect and crime scene for a direct match with the killer.