Science+Page

Five different science classes and one math class carried out the "forensic testing" to solve the Donnor Party mystery.

We correlated our activities to the state course of study. I have linked the lessons, supplemental readings that were hidden for geocaching, geocaching questions, and grading rubrics for several of the classes.

I used the simulated blood typing lab from Alabama Science In Motion and modified it from using Mr. Jones, Mr. Smith ,etc. to Suspect, 1, Suspect 2, Crimescene 1, Victim 1, etc. This lab is not online, because I didn't have it in digital form. The blood typing supplemental material, lesson outline, grading scale, and rubric is online.

Our AP biology teacher did this lab with her class. She modified the samples to be Suspect 1, 2, etc.

I used this with my Zoology class. I planted mealworms on the bodies at our crimescene. My students observed the stage and number of each of the worms/insects found on the bodies to determine an approximate date of death.

I used this with my Survey of Human Body Systems class. I planted a hair at the crimescene and had sample hair from each of the suspects and victims (teachers at our school). My students observed these under the microscope to determine which of them most closely matched the crimescene hair.

Density I worked with one of our math teachers on a density lab. I rounded up shell casings of the same size but different metal (husband is a police officer!) and used these in a displacement lab. Measure the mass of each shell casing, drop it in water to determine its volume by observing how much water it displaces; then divide mass/volume to get density. We had a shell casing planted at the crimescene and had shell casings from ammunition retrieved from each of the suspects to test them against the crimescene shell casing. This lab is not online. The math class did post their data in the data chart.

Fingerprinting The lesson for fingerprinting is not online. We didn't get those materials in digital form.