Everywhere you go, you leave behind clues: fingerprints on your juice glass, DNA on your toothbrush, bits of fabric on your favorite chair, and footprints in your yard. Criminals leave behind clues, too. Forensic scientists study those clues to help law enforcement officers solve crimes.
Forensics is all about using science to answer questions about crimes (and other things that have happened). In this Adventure, you will practice some of the skills of a forensic scientist.
You will analyze a fingerprint, a footprint, the contents of ink, and some mysterious white powder. Grab your magnifying glass and start detecting!
Safety MomentPrior to any activity, use Scouting America SAFE Checklist to ensure the safety of all those involved.
All participants in official Scouting America activities should become familiar with the Guide to Safe Scouting and applicable program literature or manuals.
Be aware of state or local government regulations that supersede Scouting America practices, policies, and guidelines.
To assist in the safe delivery of the program you may find specific safety items that are related to requirements for the Adventure.
Before conducting a craft activity, review the Craft Tips video (2 minutes 34 seconds.)
Explore the term “forensics” and how it is used to help solve crimes.
Analyze your fingerprints.
Make a shoe imprint.
Do an analysis of four different substances: salt, sugar, baking soda and cornstarch.
Learn about chromatography and how it is used in solving crimes.
Find out how officers collect evidence.
Explore the term “forensics” and how it is used to help solve crimes.
Cub Scouts become investigators by observing and analyzing the scene to determine who ate the cookie.
Cub Scouts learn from an expert more about how forensics is used to help solve crimes.
Analyze your fingerprints.
Choose one of the following:
Cub Scouts discover that even if they can’t see their fingerprint with their naked eye, they are still there.
Cub Scouts learn the different patterns in fingerprints and analyze their own fingerprints.
Make a shoe imprint.
Cub Scout investigate how their shoe can leave a print.
Cub Scout investigate how their shoe can leave a print in the dirt.
Do an analysis of four different substances: salt, sugar, baking soda and cornstarch.
Cub Scouts learn how to test for various substances.
Learn about chromatography and how it is used in solving crimes.
Cub Scout learn that not all chemicals are what they appear to be.
Find out how officers collect evidence.
Choose one of the following:
Cub Scouts learn how evidence is collected by visiting a law enforcement agency.
