Introduction
Did you know that there was way more to Forensic Science than pools of blood and fingerprints?
The flash and drama of CSI and Law and Order: SVU are only the tip of the ice berg. During this webquest you will learn about the history and development of Forensic Science and you will have an opportunity to describe some of the major contributors to the field.
Jump right in to world of evidence as witness!
Task
You are a forensic historian who has been given the awesome task of digging up clues on past contributors and developments within forenscis. The tasks that you are to complete are listed below.
- Develop a timeline of your assigned time period, including pictures and dates using SimpleMind+
- Create a concept map, outlining the contributions of forensic science to society
- Design a poster indicating your chosen major contributor to the field, highlighting his/her significances
Process
Okay! Let's get started. You will be working independently during this webquest. You are in charge of your own destiny (your grade).
Assignment #1
(SAVE YOUR INFORMATION AND WORK TO AN APPROPRIATE CLOUD-BASED DRIVE LIKE GOOGLE OR iCLOUD)
Since you are taking on the role of a historian, we better get you caught up on the history of Forensic Science. Using your assigned period of history, use the following websites to find out as much as possible about the people and devlopments of Forensic Science. The amount of relevent information included on your timeline will be "inspirational" to your score for this assignment.
Technology and Forensic Science
Forensic Science Crime Scene Investigation Past, Present, Future
The Evolution of Criminal Investigation and Forensic Science
Forensic Science: Bringing New Technology Into the Crime Lab
Once you have gathered your information, it is off to RWT TimeLine to create your timeline. Your informative masterpiece should include the dates within your period of history, and a brief description of events/people that coorespond to the dates. Please be creative in your development (pictures are great). Your timeline is a segment of the overall timeline that will be created and displayed by your class. After completing your segment of the timeline, please email it to me (Last, First Name-Time Line) and I will get it printed for you.
Assignment #2
Wow! How about that great history lesson! You will now make a concept map outlining the contributions of forensics to society. In other words... what good has come from the development and improvement of Forensic Science? Your map will more than likely be different from your neighbors, so don't worry while you are peeking at their work! Use the listed websites below to help you with your investigation. Use the concept mappin app called Total Recall. Start your "spider" concept map with a center bubble labeled, "Benefits of Forenscis". An example can be located by clicking HERE. Once you have created your spider map, email it to me (Last, First Name-Spider Map) and I will print it out.
This is a list of websites to use for assignment #2. You may also refer back to the previous list of sites for additional information.
How Does Forensics Affect Your Life?
Inventors and Technologies That Changed The World
Most Influencial People in Forensic Science
Contemporary Contributors to Forensic Science
10 Modern Forensic Technologies Used Today
Assignment #3
While completing the previous assignments, I am sure you came across some interesting contributors to forensics. Now is the time to learn more about them and their inventions/discoveries.Now I know you have become an exceptional Forensic Historian, so we will wrap up this webquest by choosing a contributor YOU find to be the most significant. Yes, this is your opinion based on all of the research you have accomplished. Once you have decided on an individual, you will design a poster highlighting the reasons you feel this person deserves the label as "Most Significant". Include printed pictures of your person and any inventions/discoveries associated with the contributor. Also, make sure to word process at all times (no personal handwriting- make it professional). You may pick up your materials needed (poster board, glue, tape) from me, your teacher. Use the websites from previous assignments to help you gather needed pictures.
Evaluation
| Beginning 1 | Developing 3 | Very Good 5 | ||
| Forensic Science Timeline | Timeline turned in with incomplete/inadequate information over specified time period. Numerous spelling/grammatical errors. No pictures present. Incorrect font size used. | Timeline turned in with adequate information over specified time period. Some spelling/grammatical errors present. There are 1-2 pictures present. Correct font size used. |
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| Benefits of Forensics Spider Map | Concept map turned in, not a spider map and/or not completed in Total Recall. Map only has one level of details present. | Spider map turned in and completed in Total Recall. Map only has 2 levels of details present. | Spider map turned in and completed in Total Recall. Map has 3 or more levels of details present. | |
| Forensic's "Most Significant" Poster | Poster is not focused around a particular individual. No contibution/inventions represented. Information is not word processed. | Poster is focused on a particular individual. Only 1-2 contributions/ inventions represented. Information is word prcessed. | Poster is focused on a particular individual. More than 3 contributions/inventions represented. Information is word processed. Personal opinion as to why this person was chosen is present. |
You will be graded individually according to the above rubric.
Conclusion
Now, how much fun was that! I hope you have aquired a greater understanding for the history of Forensic Science. In order to move ahead within the field, one must know where they have been. Perhaps your interest was peaked in a new area, or perhaps you have learned that a career in forensics is right for you. If this is the situation, go ahead and take a peek at these websites and see what type of careers are available.
American Academy of Forensic Sciences
Credits
The content for this webquest was adapted from More Than Blood an Guts, designed by Dawn Sprouse.
Teacher Page
The content for this webquest was adapted from More Than Blood an Guts, designed by Dawn Sprouse.