Science Project Ideas About Criminal Investigation

Students can explore crime scenes in several different science-fair projects.

Criminal investigation encompasses several different areas. The criminals themselves are investigated, as well as the actual crime scene. Criminal investigation is a popular course of study, especially because of popular evening television shows that discuss particular crimes and how to solve them. Science projects revolving around criminal investigations can hold the interest of many types of students.

Fake Crime Scene Evidence

Study several elements of crime-scene investigations, such as saving fingerprints, collecting hair or finding skin cells. Then stage a fake crime scene and use your scientific knowledge to figure out "who did it." Although you will know who did it, the point of the project is to showcase the various evidence-collecting skills you've learned. Take photographs and write step-by-step instructions for collecting each piece of evidence. Then, illustrate your findings on your science-fair board.

Perfect Crime

Ask the question "What is the perfect crime?" and research various ways of committing crimes that don't leave any proof. Some elements to research include what happens if criminals wear gloves, shave their hair or use different weapons to commit a crime. Is there a way to commit a crime and leave no evidence behind? Depending on your research, you will probably end up saying no. In your science-fair project, include information about famous criminals who have tried different ways to avoid leaving evidence and have been caught anyway.

Advances in Crime Scences

Do a science project on the various advances in crime-scene investigation. Many years ago, things like DNA analysis weren't available, so much investigation centered around alibis and witnesses. Today, most juries are looking for cold, hard facts. Create a project that showcases several areas of today's crime-scene investigations compared with investigations 10, 20, 30 or more years ago.

Arguable Elements Versus Non-arguable

Crime-scene investigators use several types of elements to determine who committed a crime. Some of these things, such as DNA evidence and fibers found at a scene, are generally non-arguable because they are considered to be lasting proof. Other types of evidence, like security footage, witness testimony, and motive are arguable elements because they sometimes are someone's opinion rather than fact. Create a project looking at the arguable and non-arguable elements of a crime-scene investigation, and find out which elements are more likely to solve the crime.

References

• Bergen: The Forensic Science Project
• All Science Fair Projects: CSI Crime Scene Investigation