This project idea comes to you from Future SET in St. John's, Newfoundland.

To investigate the theories behind a wide variety of scientific principles and methods relating to forensic science, including Human Osteology (determining age, gender, stature and any other pertinent information from skeletal remains), Biological Analysis (the ABO blood system/blood typing, hair differentiation), Chemical Analysis (differentiation of salts), as well as practical mathematical problem solving, logical reasoning, and teamwork.

From Sherlock Holmes and the Hardy Boys to the O.J. Simpson trial, people have been intrigued by the question "Who done it?". This question is only one of many that the forensic sciences attempt to answer. Forensic scientists attempt to retrieve and analyse any evidence that may be pertinent to a criminal investigation. To do so, experts from a variety of disciplines must be called upon (e.g. Forensic Anthropologists, Dentists, DNA Experts, Soil/Pollen Experts, Chemists, Medical Examiners, Coroners, etc.). Working together they not only answer "Who done it?" but also "Who died?", "When did they die?", and "What are the circumstances surrounding the death?".

This project is a compilation of six possible experiments, which together form a crime scene. Included in this project are the descriptions of four suspects and four victims. If you follow this online project, you will learn about forensic science, and you will be able to solve a mini-mystery.

This project can also be set up with a large group of students who can collectively learn about forensics and solve the mystery on a larger scale. You can pretend you're helping to solve a murder for the police, or maybe you're recreating a famous murder. You can do all six of the possible experiments described here, or only a few of them, or other forensics experiments you can think of on your own. If you want to set up this mystery yourself, you will have to tailor the evidence to your particular murder scenario so that you can figure out the identities of the victim and the murderer based on the evidence you provide. Use your imagination!

Before the investigation begins, you need to understand the following definitions that are important in forensic science:

DNA (Deoxyribose Nucleic Acid):

a molecule that acts as the genetic "blueprint" for cells

Antigen:

a molecule that is foreign to the body. Antigens are usually attacked by antibodies

Antibody:

a molecule that binds to a specific antigen

Red blood cells:

cells found in the blood that carry oxygen

Rhesus factor (Rh factor):

a specific antigen found on red blood cells of certain individuals

Suture:

lines in the skull that represent the points where the skull bones fuse

Femur:

the thigh bone

Let the investigation begin!

Imagine a crime scene. What do forensic scientists do to preserve all the evidence? As they approach the crime scene, they follow proper forensic procedures. Some to keep in mind are:

1. Wear latex gloves when handling evidence
2. Take a picture of the crime scene
3. Collect and store evidence carefully

The evidence found at this crime scene includes:

1. Skeletal remains
2. Simulated blood-stained tattered cloth
3. Envelope containing:
• small quantity of a traceable chemical
• 1 human hair
• a note reading "Catch me if you can!" (containing fingerprints that match up to the killer's)

Now we will analyse the evidence.

Skeletal Analysis

We want to figure out which of these four people was the victim of this crime.

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Name:	Ralph Costello
Gender:	Male
Height:	164 cm
Date of Birth:	April 2, 1973
Hair Colour:	Light Brown
Blood Type:	AB+
Last seen:	Computer lab, Engineering Building, Memorial University of Newfoundland (June 4, 1997)
Special Characteristics:	has wisdom teeth no fillings has an edge-to-edge bite

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Name:	Herb Mercer
Gender:	Male
Height:	152 cm
Date of Birth:	March 11, 1941
Hair Colour:	Grey
Blood Type:	O-
Last seen:	relaxing at home watching "Bill Nye the Science Guy" (May 30, 1997)
Special Characteristics:	has wisdom teeth has 2 fillings has an edge-to-edge bite

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Name:	Jane Barker
Gender:	Female
Height:	164 cm
Date of Birth:	July 4, 1976
Hair Colour:	Blonde
Blood Type:	AB+
Last seen:	serving Pizza at the Engineering Building cafeteria, Memorial University of Newfoundland (March 7, 1997)
Special Characteristics:	has wisdom teeth no fillings has an overbite

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Name:	Mary Maloney
Gender:	Female
Height:	170 cm
Date of Birth:	January 12, 1974
Hair Colour:	Brown
Blood Type:	O-
Last seen:	leaving Hatcher House, Memorial University of Newfoundland (May 27, 1997)
Special Characteristics:	no wisdom teeth 3 fillings present edge-to-edge bite

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Their bones will tell us their height and their gender. The figure below shows you how to look at a skull and determine whether it comes from a male or a female.

Now look at this picture of a human skull. Is it male or female?

Now we want to confirm the sex of the victim. The figure below shows you how to look at the sciatic notch in the pelvis and determine whether it comes from a male or a female.

Now look at this picture of a human pelvis. Is it male or female? Does it confirm your prediction about the gender of the victim?

Now that we've narrowed down to one gender, we can look at the femur bone to help us determine height. Look at this picture of a human femur.

It shows that the femur is 41 cm long. If you think the victim is female, use the following formula to determine the approximate height:

2.47 x Length of Femur + 54.10 ± 3.70 = ______ ± 3.70 cm

If you think the victim is male, use the following formula to determine the approximate height:

2.32 x Length of Femur + 65.53 ± 3.94 = ______ ± 3.94 cm

From these three pieces of information, you should be able to determine which of the four possibilities was the victim of this crime.

If you guessed Ralph Costello, you're right!

Now that the victim has been identified, we need to figure out which of the suspects is the murderer. Click here to continue.