Forensic Science Honors Projects

First Quarter Project: Crime Case Presentation

You are to choose a crime and create a presentation on it. The presentation can be either
a powerpoint, formal paper, Prezi, or even a video. The presentation should include the
following information:

1. Description of the crime

 What happened?
 Who was involved?
 Where did it happened? A
 Other relevant information.

2. Background Info
 Victim(s): Who were they? Why were they chosen? What was their niche?
 Suspect(s): Who were they? Why were they chosen? What was their niche?
 Investigator(s): Who were they (names)? What agency did the work for? How
good of a job did they do in investigating the crime?

3. Evidence
 What was it?
 Where was it found?
 How was it analyzed?
 What did it mean to the case?

4. Summary
 What happened in the end?
 How was the case resolved?
 Was there a trial?
 Any key “turning points” in the trial?
 What was the verdict?
 What is the present status of the case and the suspect?

5. Works Cited/References page (Chicago style) (Citation Page Maker)(EasyBib.com)

 Includes in-text citations – shows where in the paper the references were used
 Includes the full references (not just a website)
 Includes at least 4 references, two of which must be from a print source (not
electronic)
Second Quarter: Forensic Science Video Project

Working in groups of 3-5 students, you are to create a crime scene video that
demonstrates the processing of a crime scene and the subsequent analysis of the evidence.
It should reflect the topics covered in this course and include:
 The discovery of the crime that includes a body (10 pts)
 Crime scene processing, including fingerprinting (15 pts)
 Determination of the time of death (10 pts)
 Analysis of at least 5 types of evidence (25 pts)
 Definite conclusion (5 pts)
 The story should follow logical and predictable steps of discovery (10 pts)

Other specifics
 The film should be 10-30 minute in length. (5 pts)
 Scripts, notes, and storyboard should be turned in as well (20 pts)
 A log of time spent on the project will be turned in and will be used to determine
the
 It should include both video and audio
 Can be created and edited using Movie Maker. This takes time so don’t wait until
the last minute to do this.
 May be able to work with the SciVis class to help you with filming and/or editing
 Final video to be turned in on or before ___
 There will be a popcorn viewing of each group’s video currently scheduled for
TBA
 Forensic Science Crime Study Rubric

Component Excellent Fair Poor

Preparedness Student is completely The student is somewhat Student does not seem at
prepared and has prepared, but it is clear all prepared to present.
obviously rehearsed. that rehearsal was
lacking.
Required Elements All required elements All required elements Several required
are present and are present. elements are missing.
 Description of crime additional elements that
 Background info add to the report (e.g.,
 Evidence thoughtful comments,
 Summary graphics) have been
added.
Quality of Presentation Presentation is highly Presentation does not Student does not have a
effective at adequately describe the presentation and only
communicating student’s research talks to class.
student’s research project in its entirety OR
project. Visually the presentation is
appealing and easy to difficult to view.
read.

Content Knowledge Presentation illustrates Presentation illustrates a Presentation does not

an accurate and limited understanding of illustrate any accurate
thorough understanding the crime. understanding of the
of crime. crime
Citations and References Several reputable A few background Material is directly
background sources sources are used and copied rather than put
were used and cited cited correctly, but some into students own words
correctly. Material is are not reputable and/or no references
translated into student's sources. Material is included.
own words. Includes translated into student's
Reference page own words. Includes NO GRADE
Reference page/

Student Name: Date submitted: Grade: _____

 Forensic Science Video Project Rubric
Component Exemplary
Introduction to the Story was set up with a
crime scene interesting and realistic
introduction to the crime scene
Crime scene The crime scene shown to be
processing adequately secured, recorded,
and processed
Evidence collection Relevant evidence was shown to
be correctly collected and
packaged with a minimum of 5
items beyond fingerprints
Time of death A viable Post Mortem Interval
was determined in the video with
an explanation.
Forensic Analysis The forensic analysis of the
evidence is shown and explained
for at least 5 items.
Items of evidence:
□
□
□
□
□
□
□
Conclusion Evidence is used to bring story
to a logical and reasonable
conclusion
Video Production Video is 10-30 minutes long and
is creative and very well done
Pre-Production All research, scripts, and story
boards necessary for pre-
production is turned in
Team Work Evidence that all members of the
group made equal contributions
to this video is obvious
Group Members: Date Submitted:
Satisfactory
Story had a confusing and/or
unrealistic introduction to the
crime scene
The crime scene was partially
processed but some key
elements were missing
Evidence was collected but
was either not do so correctly
or the minimum number of
items was not shown to be
collected
A PMI was mentioned in the
video without an explanation
The forensic analysis of the
evidence was shown but not
explained or was less than 5
items
Evidence is used to bring story
to a conclusion but is
confusing or unrealistic
Video is 10-30 long but lacks
creativity and/or quality
Some research, scripts, and
story boards necessary for pre-
production is turned in
Evidence that all members of
the group made some but
unequal contributions to this
video is obvious
Unacceptable
No set up for the crime scene was
included. Story just went into
evidence collection.
The crime scene as not adequately
processed in a professional
manner.
Evidence was not shown to be
collected correctly and did not
meet the minimum number of
items
No PMI was mentioned in the
video
The forensic analysis of the
evidence was not shown or
explained
No conclusion is included in the
story and it just ends.
Video is either way to short or too
long with poor creativity and
quality
No research, scripts, and story
boards necessary for pre-
production is turned in
Evidence that only 1 member of
the group contributed to this video
is obvious
Project Grade: