Code: SCI001
Title:Forensic & Scientific Investigations
Coordinator: Mr Michael Sparks

In the initial component of this unit, students will use Science to solve a fictional crime. This is a great opportunity for students to learn to use science equipment safely and effectively. It will be important to follow scientific procedures in order to conduct “fair tests” and carry out research.

Students will design and carry out their own investigation into a topic of their choice using the principles and equipment they have previously encountered.

Topics

• Laboratory equipment and safety
• Microscopes and scientific drawing
• Acids, bases and the pH scale
• Bunsen burners and flame testing
• Chromatography
• Fingerprinting and DNA analysis
• Data analysis and report writing

Assessment

• Assignment – Forensic Report – Week 9 -Forensic Booklet (PDF 447 kb)
• Experimental Report – Working Scientifically – Week 15 (PDF 28.8 kb)
• Written Test – Week 19

Semester Outline (PDF 8.28kb)

At completion students should know

• The safety procedures within a laboratory
• Acids and Bases exist on a pH scale ranging from 1-14
• Acids are between 1-6 and Bases are between 8-14, 7 is neutral.
• A variety of scientific procedures are used in forensic science, such as fingerprinting, chromatography, flame testing, filtering and DNA analysis.
• Scientific reports require an Aim, Hypothesis, Method, Results, Discussion and Conclusion.
• The importance of designing a fair experiment to obtain valid results.

At completion students should be able to

• Handle scientific equipment safely.
• Use microscopes to view objects in great detail and accurately represent this in a scientific drawing.
• Safely use Bunsen Burners.
• Use a variety of scientific procedures such as fingerprinting, chromatography, flame testing, filtering and DNA analysis.
• Analyse data.
• Write scientific reports: Aim, Hypothesis, Method, Results, Discussion and Conclusion.
• Design a fair experiment.

Literacy elements

• Scientific report writing.

Integrated technology

• Microsoft Excel - design data tables and produce scientific reports
• Microsoft Word
• Internet research
• Digital microscopes.

Assignment guidelines

Please refer to the Assignment Guidelines on how to set out bibliographies and references.

Resources

• The school produces and issues a unit booklet to all students.

Related Links

• http://www.sci.qut.edu.au/
• http://www.uq.edu.au/study/science/index.html?page=63037