Sketch the Scene Forensic Science Activity Ideas

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An essential component of any police investigation, a crime scene sketch contains a wealth of information that can serve as an engaging teaching tool in forensic science lessons. By incorporating crime scene sketches into your curriculum, you can captivate even the most hesitant high school science students.

Integrate sketch-the-scene forensic science activities, lessons, and resources into your crime scene unit to help students refine their direction-following, practical math, and observation skills. Your true crime unit is bound to be both memorable and educational!

Engaging True Crime Sketch-the-Scene Forensic Science Activities

The popularity of true crime across movies, television, and podcasts captivates audiences for a reason. People are not only drawn to the crime itself but also fascinated by the collaborative efforts of forensic teams to quickly resolve cases. Incorporate elements of true crime into your STEM activities for high school students through sketch-the-scene forensic science activities, demonstrating the critical role that evidence and details play in police investigations.

• Crime Scene Investigators: Have students sketch crime scenes as part of a career exploration unit, encouraging them to research the roles of forensic scientists and crime scene investigators.
• Fictional Crime Podcast: Inspired by true crime podcasts, students can create a fictional crime scenario and design a podcast episode (or series) that utilizes a crime scene sketch to unravel the case.
• True Crime Research Project: Students can work individually or in groups to research a true crime event and present their findings to the class, including a detailed and accurate crime scene sketch.

💡Pro Tip: “True crime is a fantastic way to spark students’ interest and boost engagement in crime scene sketching lessons. With numerous documentaries available, your students are likely already fans. While avoiding graphic content, you can incorporate similar types of evidence or themes, even names of suspects and victims, to maintain appropriateness.”
— Linda M., NYS Master Teacher Emeritus, from Small Town Science

Mapping Out a True Crime Scene Sketch

While creating a fictional crime scene is straightforward, what do real crime scenes look like? Teach students to map out a crime scene sketch based on a true crime event they have researched and analyzed.

Crime Scene Sketch Assignment
By Life in Prism
Grades: 9th-12th
Subjects: Criminal Justice, Law, Forensics

Students can utilize forensic science skills to explore a true crime event and create a corresponding crime scene sketch, incorporating measurement parameters and details from case studies.

Following Directions in Crime Scene Sketch Activities

Crime scene sketches are instrumental in helping students practice following directions, particularly in scientific procedures. Many forensic science aspects align with NGSS, including Science and Engineering Practices and Crosscutting Concepts, emphasizing the critical nature of precise direction-following. Use these sketch-the-scene forensic science activities to teach students how to adhere to procedural steps.

• Logic Puzzles: Assign crime-related grid logic puzzles to help students practice narrowing down options, following directions, and making inferences.
• Partner Directions: Have pairs take turns giving each other directions for a crime scene sketch, assessing how well they executed the task based solely on verbal instructions.
• Crime Scene Classroom: Challenge students’ ability to follow directions by setting up a crime scene with provided materials, measurement tools, and minimal teacher intervention.

Sketch the Crime Scene by Following Directions

Assess your students’ ability to follow written directions by incorporating this crucial skill into your upcoming science lessons or when teaching crime scene sketching in forensic science.

CSI Forensic Science: Follow the Directions – Crime Scene Sketch Edition
By Thelma and Louise – Teaching is a Breeze
Grades: 6th-12th
Subjects: Criminal Justice, Law, Forensics

Forensic science—as well as all science—relies heavily on following directions. Guide students through the necessary steps for sketching a crime scene using a lesson that provides detailed instructions along with student and teacher notes, plus a blank crime scene printable.

Math and Measurement Forensic Science Ideas

Forensic scientists utilize mathematics daily, from measuring elements within a crime scene to calculating the results of collected evidence. Leverage these sketch-the-scene forensic science activities as interdisciplinary opportunities to merge math and science in engaging manners.

• Blood Spatter Analysis: Students apply geometry and trigonometry skills to reconstruct how a crime may have occurred based on blood spatter evidence collected at a crime scene.
• Scale Sketches Up: Students use algebraic and arithmetic skills to scale up a sketch to posterboard size or even an entire classroom crime scene reconstruction.
• Polar Coordinate Mapping: In groups, students triangulate their crime scene sketches using polar coordinates by establishing a reference point and measuring distance and angle to significant evidence.

💡Pro Tip: “Students often find taking measurements and creating suitable scales for their formal drawings challenging. I work closely with small groups to take measurements of the crime scene, keeping it small and relatively rectangular, with minimal objects or evidence. All measurements are recorded in a data table for that group to reference. I’ve found that firsthand experience with the scene helps students understand measurement and proportionality better, allowing them to visualize the connection.”
— Linda M., NYS Master Teacher Emeritus, from Small Town Science

Taking a Measured Approach to Crime Scene Investigation

Demonstrate to students the real-world applications of their measurement knowledge through a math-centered lesson in forensic science. These practical applications of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and trigonometry will illuminate each concept in a novel and compelling manner.

Forensic Science: Teach how to Sketch a Crime Scene
By Science of Curiosity
Grades: 9th-12th
Subjects: Forensics, Science

Structure an interdisciplinary crime scene sketching lesson that incorporates elements of mathematical measurement and forensic science. Students will navigate through a step-by-step crime scene sketching activity using digital measurement tools before designing their own crime scenes based on their acquired knowledge.

Triangulating the Crime Scene

One of the initial steps for crime scene investigators is to triangulate the crime scene sketch using two reference points and a piece of evidence. Teach students how to accomplish this essential task using their current math skills alongside stimulating crime scene sketch lessons.

Sketching the Crime Scene: Lesson Plan Bundle
By The Trendy Science Teacher
Grades: 8th-12th
Subjects: Criminal Justice, Law, Forensics, Science

This lesson plan includes editable notes, practice worksheets, and sketching activities that guide students through the basic steps of sketching and triangulating a crime scene, as forensic scientists do.

Compelling Crime Scene Activities for Art Classes

Forensic science is not limited to science and math classes. Encourage art students to refine their skills while exploring various crime scene types, including rough sketches, finished sketches, overview and bird’s-eye views, and exploded view sketches.

• Attention to Detail: Challenge art students to take basic crime scene instructions and enhance them with artistic elements, such as shading and perspective.
• Rough to Polished: Encourage quick sketching by giving art students a limited timeframe to create rough drafts, ensuring they provide sufficient context for later polished drafts.
• Composite Sketches: Based on detailed analysis from an interdisciplinary crime scene lesson, such as suspect descriptions and witness accounts, students can alternate roles as “witness” (describing the subject) and artist (creating the sketch).

Helpful Tips for Teaching Forensic Science

Implement these tips to establish a robust forensic science unit, incorporating practical crime scene setups and sketch-the-scene lessons.

• Incorporate a variety of scientific skills that align with National Institute of Standards and Technology forensic science standards, including trace evidence in chemistry and pattern interpretation in physics.
• Precede the crime scene day with thorough instruction, allowing students to take the lead during the activity. They should practice making inferences rather than simply filling in blanks.
• Invite experts to discuss how they use these skills daily, including forensic scientists or crime scene investigators.
• Concentrate on crime scene analysis rather than the violence associated with the crime. Most high school-level forensic science lessons minimize graphic content in descriptions or images, relying on less intense materials.
• Ensure access to essential tools such as magnifying glasses, dusting powder, microscopes, and any equipment necessary for various evidence types.
• Collaborate with your school’s mock trial team for a joint project where young scientists analyze and present evidence to the team.

💡Pro Tip: “As the instructor, you play a dual role—bringing excitement and guiding students. I enjoy being part of the process just as much as they do! Careful planning is essential. Consider materials, time, and potential obstacles before starting the assignment. Do I need to reserve a space for a crime scene? Should I notify the administration or alert janitorial staff to prevent disturbance of the scene?”
— Linda M., NYS Master Teacher Emeritus, from Small Town Science

Fostering Inquiry-Based Learning with Forensic Science

Crime scene analysis provides a practical and engaging opportunity for students to apply their science, math, and artistic skills learned in class. Whether they are engaged in sketch-the-scene forensic science activities or constructing a real-life crime scene in the classroom, they will follow their curiosity to solve the crime—an excellent exercise in inquiry-based learning applicable in any high school classroom.
Utilize these activity suggestions and more high school forensic science resources to stimulate student thinking, collaboration, and learning. They may even discover a career path they had never previously considered!