Grade 7 Science Mini Case #5

CSI:THE CRIME SCENE SKETCH

Todays Tasks
1. Power of Words 2. Pre-Lab 3. Lab 4. Post Lab Questions

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ATLs

1. The Power of Words Observe (v)

to notice or perceive (something) as being signicant, or important

The biologist observed the behavior of the alligator for several minutes.

ATL Connections
- Communication - Information Literacy - Collaboration

Step 1. Copy the above word into your Vocabulary Book. Step 2. Complete the activity on the back of this page.

KIS International School Science 2010

Grade 7 Science Mini Case #5

CSI:THE CRIME SCENE SKETCH

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ATLs tion nica

The Power of Words

Answer the following in complete sentences.

Observe
Write a complete sentence about the cartoon above using the word Observe. ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ Write your own sentence using the word observe and suspect. ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________

KIS International School Science 2010

Grade 7 Science Mini Case #5

CSI:THE CRIME SCENE SKETCH

ATLs Informa tion Literacy

2. Pre-Lab Tasks I need to know. . .

Background
The art of forensic science begins at the crime scene. It is very important to protect and secure the area where the crime took place to ensure that evidence is not destroyed. Investigators carefully comb the crime scene for clues and evidence that later may be used in a court. In order to record the crime scene, notes are taken, photographs are made, and sketches are done. Photographs are usually the best record of the scene. However, there are times when good photographs are not possible because of environmental restrictions. In such cases, sketches and notes must be very detailed. When possible, the crime site and adjacent locations are photographed before any other investigative work is done. All victims are photographed as they were found. The size of a body and other items are determined by placing a ruler in the photograph. Some larger police departments are replacing photography with videotaping of the crime site.

Scene Sketch
Once the photographer has completed his or her job, the crime scene investigator makes a sketch of the crime scene. The initial sketch he or she makes is a rough sketch that accurately represents the dimensions of the scene and shows the location of all objects that may be important in the case. These objects, which help to establish that a crime was committed, are called physical evidence. To give his or her sketch scale, the investigator selects two xed points (cannot be moved) at the crime scene. In a room, these may be the corners, windows, or doors. The investigator uses a tape measure to determine the distance of each important object in the room from both of these xed points. These distances are recorded in the sketch (Figure 1). Once the locations of the objects have been recorded, each object is assigned a letter. At the bottom of the sketch, these lettered objects are identied using a key. The sketch is also oriented to the North (Figure 2). Later, a nished sketch is drawn from this rough sketch by a skilled artist. This nished sketch reects information in the rough sketch, but is much neater (Figure 3). It may be used as evidence in the courtroom during a trial.

Note It
Notes are also taken at the scene of a crime that describes all physical evidence in detail. Notes include information about who discovered the evidence, the time that it was discovered, and how the evidence was collected and packaged. Notes must be very detailed in case they are needed to refresh someone's memory years after a crime has been committed.

KIS International School Science 2010

Grade 7 Science Mini Case #5

CSI:THE CRIME SCENE SKETCH

ATLs Informa tion Literacy

Pre-Lab Tasks I need to know. . .

1.! In Figure 1, use a ruler to measure how far the head is from the northeast xed point.

2.! In Figure 1, use a ruler to measure how far the head is from the southeast xed point.

3.! What information do we need to know in order to determine how far the body really was from the corner of the room?

An investigator measures the distance between a piece of evidence, and two fixed points.

Figure 1

KIS International School Science 2010

Grade 7 Science Mini Case #5

CSI:THE CRIME SCENE SKETCH

ATLs Informa tion Literacy

Pre-Lab Tasks I need to know. . .

A sketch is oriented to the North, and labels objects and distances.

Figure 2

KIS International School Science 2010

Grade 7 Science Mini Case #5

CSI:THE CRIME SCENE SKETCH

ATLs Informa tion Literacy

Pre-Lab Tasks I need to know. . .

4. Use Figure 2 to ll in the following table:

Figure 2 - Crime Scene Sketch Distances

Points
A to NE Corner B to SW Corner Upturned Chair to Window

Distance (cm)

80
5. In Figure 2, what does upturned chair mean, and why do you think it's important? ! ! ! ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________

6. In Figure 2, how many windows do you see in the crime scene? ! ! ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________

7. Describe what could have happened in this scene. Write at least 40 words. ! ! ! ! ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________

KIS International School Science 2010

Figure 3

Grade 7 Science Mini Case #5

CSI:THE CRIME SCENE SKETCH

The nished Crime Scene Sketch is drawn to scale correctly to scale, and is much neater than the rough sketch.

ATLs Informa tion Literacy

Pre-Lab Tasks I need to know. . .

KIS International School Science 2010

Grade 7 Science Mini Case #5

CSI:THE CRIME SCENE SKETCH

ATLs Informa tion Literacy

Pre-Lab Tasks I need to know. . .

8. What is the scale that is used in Figure 3? 9. In Figure 3 match the letters to the following objects:

Figure 3 - Important Objects

Object
Table

Letter
D

Television on Table J Gold Earring

10. Describe at least two differences between Figures 2 and 3. ! ! ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________

Complete the outline of the information using these words:

photographs, rough, scene, xed, secure, adjacent, ruler, sketching, objects, trial I. Crime Scene Basics A. Protect and ___________________ the area B. Take ___________________ and complete sketches as necessary II. Photographing the Crime ___________________ A. Photograph crime location and any ___________________ locations B. Photograph should include ___________________ for determining size III. ___________________ the Crime Scene: Two Types of Sketches A. ___________________ Sketch i. includes dimensions ii. shows location of all ___________________ iii. includes two ___________________ points B. Finished Sketch i. is much neater than rough sketch ii. may be used in courtroom during a ___________________

KIS International School Science 2010

Grade 7 Science Mini Case #5

CSI:THE CRIME SCENE SKETCH

3. The LAB
On the Scene: Observation
You will have 2 minutes to observe the crime scene. Try to remember as much as you can about the crime scene. After your observation answer the following questions.

Collaboration
On the Scene: Rough Sketching

ATLs

1. Record the measurements of the room from the board. Make a rough sketch of the room on the next page. Make sure to label the lengths and distances. 2. With your group measure the crime scene, and add details to your sketch. Make sure to include important information like windows and doors, and all objects of importance (with measurements to

1.! What color shirt was the victim wearing? 2.! Did the shirt have any writing on it? If so, what did it say?

3.! What kind of shoes was the victim wearing? What color?

4.! Did the victim have any jewelry on? Watch? Necklace? Bracelet?

5.! What was the victim holding in his hand? In which hand was it being held?

6.! What else can you remember about the victim?

KIS International School Science 2010

Grade 7 Science Mini Case #5

CSI:THE CRIME SCENE SKETCH

Evidence
Crime Scene Sketch

Collaboration

ATLs

KEY

After the Scene: Final Sketching

- Using graph paper, make a nal scale drawing of the Crime Scene. - Use a scale of 1m : 50 cm (this means 2 boxes 1 meter). - Make sure to include a key. - Orient your drawing to the North. 10 KIS International School Science 2010