9/1/2016

Observation

Tuesday, August 23rd, 2016

Bellwork: What is Observation?

Using 5 senses

Essential Question: What does it mean to

be a good observer?
Agenda:

Turn in Safety and Forensics Contracts!

Due Friday!!

Observation Notes
Observation Practice
Work on reading assignment

what a person perceives about the world

through the use of their senses (sight, smell,
hearing, touch, taste)

NOT casually watching what happens

Perception is the process of interpreting

the observations that are taken in by the
senses. Example: Hot vs. Cold

Information from our senses

What We Pay Attention to

Varies from person to person

Does not always reflect reality
Not always accurate

Filter out some information

Perception

Fill in gaps from previous knowledge and enriches with

detail what we see, hear, feel, taste, and touch

Short Term Memory

Did you know, about your nose???

The brain filters everything that it takes in

Focuses on what it deems as important

What is observed is dependent on:

Level of interest
Stress of situation
Concentration level
Number of distractions

You see but you do not observe.--Sherlock

Holmes

Observation

Recently stored information

Long Term Memory

Information that remains in memory needs

rehearsed & practiced to retain.

Observation

How Our Brain Processes

Information

Observation

an active process that takes training to develop

How to be a Good Observer

Observe systematically
Do not pay attention to only what you
think is important
Make a conscious effort to pay attention
to all the details in your surroundings.
Look for patterns and make connections.
Do not assume that later on you will be
able to remember everything.
6

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Lets Practice our observation skills!

Observe the following picture for 15
seconds

#1

Observe the picture for 15 seconds.

What Do You Remember?

How many people were in the bank?

What time was it?

What is the date?

Whats on the sign?

1:28

15th

Please wait for the next availableham and eggs

Piece of paper

Bunny slippers

#1

What is the man at the front of the line handing the

teller?

What is the woman with the little girl wearing?

Taking a second look at the picture

Chapter 1 Reading Assignment

Work on vocabulary and reading assignment

Quiz will be Thursday!

No book checkout, so this has to be done in class

Remember you get to use your assignment on the quiz!

If you need to borrow a book to get this done, please

come talk to me for a temporary book to borrow for a
couple of days

Wednesday, August 24th, 2016

Bellwork: What is perception and how is it
different from observation?

Observation is what you sense, perception is

how you interpret those observations

Objective: to demonstrate our ability to remember

details accurately

Agenda:

Turn in Safety and Forensics Contracts!

Observation Challenge Activity
Work on reading assignment

QUIZ TOMORROW!!

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Observation Challenge:
How Observant Are You?

Testimony about personal experiences is

frequently used during an investigation, and can
make or break a case
During this activity, consider the following:

How accurately do people remember what they have

seen?
What factors may play a role in what we can
remember and describe about something we have
witnessed?

Directions

1.

2.
3.

1.
2.
3.
4.

Level: Medium

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

What color is the pickup truck driving in

the road?
Any minivans around?
What does the blue sign say?
How many vehicles are in the picture?
What does the other traffic sign say?

Observe the picture for exactly 30

seconds. Look at everything you think
might be important. (No, you cant write
anything down)
After 30 seconds, answer the questions
on the next slides on a sheet of paper.

How observant were you? Compare your

answers to the picture.

Level: Easy
Answer the Following:

Are there cars parked on the sides of the

road?
Any trucks around?
What's the speed limit?
Are there any pedestrians in the scene?

Eyewitness Testimony

1.

2.
3.
4.

5.

Pair up and choose who is the investigator and who is

the eyewitness for the first round (youll have to do both,
dont worry!)

Investigators turn around, Eyewitnesses get 30 seconds

to observe the scene
Investigators will get 2 minutes to question your first
eyewitness about the scene
Investigators question 2 more witnesses using the
same questions you used

Turn in for grade: The questions and

answers, plus your summary of what the
scene looked like!

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Scene 1

Investigators turn around!

Eyewitnesses you get 30 seconds to view
the scene!

Switch Roles

Scene 2

Investigators turn around!

Eyewitnesses you get 30 seconds to view
the scene!

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Thursday, August 25th, 2016

Bellwork: Name one factor that influences how

we observe.

Level of interest, stress, concentration level, or

number of distractions

Agenda:

Turn in Safety Contracts and Parent Letter

Talk about field trip opportunity
Weebly Site

Work on reading assignment: last day!

http://northwestforensics.weebly.com

Tomorrow quiz!

Quizzes

Remember: You get to use your

assignment!
I grade assignments as you are taking
your quiz
Assignments can be turned in late for
credit
Quizzes can not be re-taken

Friday, August 26th, 2016

Bellwork: What is the difference between short and long

term memory?

Agenda:

The emotional state of the witness

influences the ability to see and hear
what is happening

Turn in parent/safety contracts!

Quiz over chapter 1 reading assignment

Get your assignments out!

Field trip permission slips!

More observation Notes
Memory Game if time

Monday, August 29th, 2016

Bellwork: What is the most important

thing an investigator can do while
observing?

Record everything!

Essential Question: Why is observation

important to forensic science?

Agenda:

So why is observation important to

Forensic Science?

First memories are stored for short term, but if we practice and
rehearse them, then they are committed to long term memory!

Finish chapter 1 notes

Memory Activity
Tomorrow: Black Box Lab

So why is observation important

to Forensic Science?

Memory fades with time

Creates gaps in the events

Key pieces of information are lost or
distorted

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Why Do You Need to Remember

Your Observations?

To testify in court where you must know the

details months after you made your
observations

You must always:

Record, Record, Record!!!!

Inadequate information and details will allow

a criminal to get away with the crime

Eyewitness Accounts

Why Do You Need to Remember

Your Observations?

Investigators must be able to distinguish

between facts and opinions from
witnesses
Fact is a statement or assertion that can
be verified
Opinion is a personal belief based on
judgment rather than direct experience or
knowledge.

Memory Game Directions

1.
2.

Pair up: one investigator, one dealer

Dealer: pick three cards and lay them face up on the table

3.

Investigator: study the three cards for 15 seconds, then turn around

4.

Dealer: remove one card, replace it with a new card, and rearrange

5.

Investigator: After the new card has been placed on the table, turn

so you cant see the cards

the cards on the table. Keep the removed card hidden!

around and pick out the new card.
1.
2.

6.
7.

If correct, dealer put the removed card with the others on the table
If incorrect, game is over and time to switch roles.

To continue the game, repeat steps 2-5

Game is over when the investigator is able to identify the new card
on each round and all the cards are on the table

Tuesday, August 30th, 2016

Bellwork: How does emotional state affect

observations made?

Emotions can hinder or heighten observation ability

Objective: to use senses other than our eyes to

determine the design inside the black boxes
Agenda:

Black Box Lab

For tomorrows movie, you MUST have your parent
contract turned in!

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Black Box Set up

Objective: to use senses other than our

eyes to determine the design inside the
black boxes
Known data: the closed boxes have steel
ball inside that moves within the design.
You are unable to see or touch the inside
of the box.

Set up hypothesis, re-test, and answer circles

Your hypothesis is a quick test of the box. Draw

(five sets)

draw in what you and your partner agree

Then do a thorough testing of the black box and

After you test all five boxes, get an answer key

and draw the answers in!

In the images to
the left, spot as
many differences as
you can!
(hint, there are more than 10)

Procedure

1. Carefully slide and tilt your box (no shaking or

rough handling!)
2. From the sound and feel of the ball, draw
your hypothesis of the design in the box.
3. Record the number of the box, and draw your
hypothesis in the first circle
4. Re-test the box, and make any changes in the
second circle.
5. Test a total of 5 different boxes
6. after all assigned black boxes are tested, get
a key from the teacher and draw In the actual
design.

Wednesday, August 31st, 2016

what you think the design might be.

on for the design

Bellwork: Spot the differences (next slide)

Objective: to experience what a day in the life

of a crime scene investigator is like
Agenda:

Black Box lab due!

Quick Write #1
Begin movie: Inside Story: The Scene of the Crime

You need to have your parent contract letter turned in to see

this movie!!

Quick Write

Answer the following in a 5 minute quick

write:
1. Explain what you think a crime scene
investigator does
2. Do you want to be a crime scene
investigator? Why or why not?
You will be answering questions after the
movie, so keep these to turn in tomorrow!

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Thursday, September 1st, 2016

Bellwork: (spot the difference, next slide)

Objective: to experience what a day in

the life of a crime scene investigator is like
Agenda:

Finish movie
Quick Write #2
Assign Observation Project

Quick Write #2

Finish Movie, then writing assignment

After Movie Assignment:

1.

2.

How did the movie differ from what you

thought an investigator does?
After seeing this movie, do you still want
to be a crime scene investigator? Why or
why not?
Turn in both sets of answers together!

Observation Project

Summative Assignment