Innovating Science® Forensic Case Study: Drugs - Small Town, Big Problem

A forensic case study.

• Perfect for middle school students
• Aligned to NGSS practices
• Disciplinary core ideas: PS1.A; PS1.B; LS1.A
• Performance expectations: MS-PS1-2; MS-LS1-3
• Cross cutting concepts: patterns; systems and system models
• Engineering practices: analyzing and interpreting data

In the small community of riverside, police have noticed a recent increase in drug-related activity. Under orders of the mayor, the police department was tasked with solving the problem. After extensive investigation the police determined the distributor of the drugs is most likely one of six suspects. The riverside police have asked the police department from the neighboring town of Mapledale to assist in the investigation. In this activity your students work for the Mapledale Forensic Analysis Lab and have been asked to analyze a variety of forensic evidence, including fingerprints, unknown powders, urine specimens, money, and handwriting samples, to assist the riverside police in determining which is the most likely suspect.

Delivery information: Kit includes instructional manual and SDS booklet.

Packaging: Small quantity exemption 173.4. This package conforms to 49 CFR 173.4 for domestic highway or rail transport only.

Caution: WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals including Phenolphthalein and Methanol/Methyl isobutyl ketone, which are known to the State of California to cause cancer and reproductive harm. For more information go to http://www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.