CSI in 5th Grade

Oh no! What happened at HES? We need our 5th graders to investigate!

Before the crime scene is in place: We review the scientific method, but I'd like to mention I don't agree with having student memorize the "steps". Since it's required for our state test, we accomplish it by singing this song a few times, they get it, then we move on to more meaningful things (like actually using it). Here is the super catchy song https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eA86dYxrg4Q and students love rapping it. We glue theses lyrics in our notebooks, highlight/annotate the steps. 

Day 1, Crime Scene Observations 

Students make observations at crime scene

We start really dramatically talking about the crime that has happened. The actual story is below, but I like to elaborate and make it super corny, but students really get into it. 

Here's the story: The eccentric widow of the late archeologist Bartholomew Gotrox, Mrs. Dixie Gotrox, has just returned from a trip to Africa. She has returned to her home to her cat, Agnes, lounging on the front stoop with the door wide open! Mrs. Gotrox rushed directly to her bedroom to find it in a shambles. Her jewels are scattered about the room. The mounted tiger fish her husband brought back from an excursion on the Nile is crushed. Worst of all, the royal shell necklace Bartholomew discovered in a Hawaiian volcano is missing! Mrs. Gotrox is devastated. She is calling upon you, forensic experts to find the necklace.
(Note: We plan to change this next year to be more specific to our school/classrooms). 

As forensic experts, we begin by making observations of the crime scene and the suspect board. Students can record notes in notebooks, take photos, etc. This later leads to some great discussions on good observations and the difference between an observation vs. inference. Each of the following days'  tests are meant to eliminate suspects one at a time (or 2, depending on if you use the data from previous labs). 

Student notebook: Observations of Crime scene

Day 2, Fingerprint Analysis

Taking our fingerprints

Student Notebook

Using the FBI website for kids, we talk about evidence and fingerprints. Students research types/examples and become experts on fingerprints. We begin by taking our fingerprints on the FBI card (they love filling this out...we put it on card stock and fill it out with pretend information. You can find the card at http://www.fbi.gov/fun-games/kids/kids-about about 5 slides in) and classifying our prints and our partners prints. We then use magnifying glasses to classify suspect fingerprints and the print found at the crime scene.

Analyzing fingerprints

Day 3, Chromatography/ Ransom Note Analysis

Testing the ransom note

Begin by showing the CSI clip found at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zEXO6TxaJTI.  Using chart markers, sharpie markers, and washable markers, we perform ink analysis test controls to compare to the ransom note left at the crime scene. Students determine what the ransom note was written in and what suspects were carrying the writing utensils.

Day 4, Mystery Substance Analysis

Testing pH of mystery substance

Begin with the brain pop video on pH for a quick review on pH/acids/bases and how to use litmus paper. Students get samples of each liquid that the suspects were carrying and determine pH for controls. Students then test the mystery substance and compare to the pH of the controls, to make a conclusion on what the mystery substance most likely is (we discuss how we can't say without a doubt since several substances can have the same pH).

Day 5, Arrest Warrants
Students analyze the data and draw a conclusion of who they believe the criminal is. They must write an arrest warrant summarizing all the evidence they have against the criminal.




Day 6, Officer Visit

Our district has a resource office assigned to us from the police department that we invite in to discuss actual crime scenes, the role of evidence, the process, etc. This is a great opportunity to highlight all the scientific careers out there related to CSI! They had some great questions for Office Wehr! Next year, I may have him come in and announce (very dramatically) that they have arrested the suspect based on students' arrest warrants.

Police officer visit

A teammate of mine did this one year, following a plan that was originally adapted from a web quest from http://www.marshallschools.com/teachers/aldredgel/mystery/. Check it out for more ideas.