Forensics

Division: C – High School

NC Essential Standards Alignment: Chm.3.1, Chm.3.2, Science as Inquiry

Event Rules: See National Rules Manual

National Event Page: Here

2024 Clarifications:

2024 NC Regional and State Forensics Events will focus on the following topics:
3b, Qualitative Analysis
3c, ii and iii. Polymer Analysis of Fibers and Hairs.
3e, ii, iii, v, vii, and viii. DNA, glass, spatters, tracks and soil, and blood.

Description:

Given a scenario and some possible suspects, students will perform a series of tests. These tests, along with other evidence or test results, will be used to solve a crime.

Scoring:

High score wins.

FAQs

Coming Soon

Recommendations:

Be sure to follow all safety requirements! Students will not be allowed to participate without the proper safety equipment.

– Event leaders will not answer questions on testing procedures nor will they provide a copy of the rules or a list of the possible unknowns. Teams should already know procedure, and should include a list of the possible unknowns in their allowed notes if they cannot remember. Event leaders WILL answer safety questions, and stop students from performing a test in an unsafe manner.

Event Resources:

Forensics 2018 Coaches Clinic Presentation (2019 Rules)

Powder Analysis blank chart
Sample Forensics Flowchart
2017 Coaches Clinic Presentation

General sites on Forensics and Crime Busters
Real World—Articles on aspects of crime scene data collection
Links to forensic activities for students

Polymers and Fibers:
Microscopic Images of Fibers—search for the types of fibers and select the kind of microscopic technique for the image you want.
Animal Hair Images

Chromatography:
Intro to Chromatography
Tutorial on Interpreting Mass Spectra
Basic info Mass spectroscopy

Blood Information:
Electropherogram info

Shoe and Tire Prints
Lab activity on shoe and tire prints