Web Links

K–12 activities

Blood Spatter 101 is a video lesson that demonstrates how forensic experts examine blood spatter and use mathematics and chemistry to determine the area where an injury occurred. This TEDed lesson was created using video from the Smithsonian Channel.
Grade Level: 7–12

The Case for Innocence is the companion Web site to a similarly-titled episode of the PBS series, Frontline. It explains the science behind DNA testing and profiles four compelling cases, during which DNA evidence had been ignored, discounted, or kept secret.
Grade Level: 9–12

Creating a DNA Fingerprint is an online activity that describes the uses of DNA fingerprinting. Students solve a series of mysteries using computer-simulated DNA fingerprinting techniques.
Grade Level: 9–12

Crime Scene Investigation asks students to use forensic techniques to solve a murder mystery featuring the characters from the game "Clue."
Grade Level: 9–12

CSI, The Experience: Web Adventures is an educational site developed in conjunction with the traveling exhibition, CSI, The Experience. The site offers opportunities to analyze forensic data and test one’s skills in multi-level games.
Grade Level: 7–12

Fingerprint Identification, FBI Kids K-5th Grade – About the FBI – What We Do, a page of the Federal Bureau of Investigation Web site, offers general information to a juvenile audience about forensic techniques that FBI scientists use to solve crimes.
Grade Level: K–5

Interactive Investigator — Virtual Exhibit on Forensic Science is an online activity that describes the uses of DNA fingerprinting. Students solve a series of mysteries using computer-simulated DNA fingerprinting techniques.
Grade Level: 9–12

Ladder of Life Lesson Plan and its extensions teach students about practical applications of DNA profiling and the role that DNA profiling plays in the field of forensic science, through an in-class DNA extraction activity. This activity compliments "Killer's Trial", an installment of the television series NOVA.
Grade Level: 10–12

Scientific American Frontiers: Dead Men's Tales is an episode that explores the field of forensic science, specifically looking at human remains from the Jamestown colony and mummies from China's western desert. The episode aired on PBS nationwide as part of Scientific American Frontiers Season 12 which ran from 2001-2002.
Grade Level: 5–8

Wanted—Butch and Sundance is an activity in which students use forensic anthropology techniques to identify a set of remains. This activity compliments "Wanted: Butch and Sundance", a 1993 installment of the television series NOVA.
Grade Level: 6–12

What Jennifer Saw is the companion Web site to an episode of the PBS show Frontline. What Jennifer Saw examines false eyewitness identification in crimes and the role of DNA evidence in exonerating the wrongfully accused.
Grade Level: 9–12

Wonderville is an interactive science Web site developed by the Science Alberta Foundation. It has computer-based and printable fingerprinting activities.
Grade Level: 3–8