Banksia Secondary College

Classroom Crime-stoppers!!

Swinburne Travelling Science Show brought Forensic Science (solving crimes) to the Year 9s.

The students performed four different tests on evidence left at a (pretend) murder scene.

The tests were: blood typing, DNA analysis, ink chromatography and fibre identification.

Chromatography

uses paper that absorbs water and different inks streak in different colours on the chromatography paper. Ransom notes can be linked to a pen using this method and a suspect can be found.

Blood Testing

can identify the type of blood found at the crime scene or blood type of the suspects and victim.

Testing Soil pH

Water from soil can be tested for acidity (pH0) and this can be matched
with a suspect's shoes to determine if they were at the scene of a crime.

DNA Analysis

DNA is unique. Each person has different DNA in their cells. We can test DNA and produce a pattern on paper. We can match the DNA pattern with evidence from the crime scene and identify suspects.

Curriculum Areas