CSI Elsternwick

To celebrate National Science Week, Years 7 and 8 Middle School students at the Elsternwick Campus participated in a hands-on forensic science workshop in Fitchett Hall. Our presenter, Adam, from Education Interactive, shared his knowledge of forensic science and held his audience captive for two one-and-a-half hour sessions.

Students were presented with a real-life murder case. After learning some background information on the victim’s identity and the scene of the crime, the students visited several interactive stations set up around the room that held items that needed to be examined. The students recorded evidence from the crime scene and began to form possible theories as to how and why the victim died. The students were led through the investigative process needed to ultimately solve a murder.

Student reflections

‘I really enjoyed when Adam came to our school and guided us through a forensic investigation because it helped us understand how real forensics officers can solve crimes. My favourite part of the incursion was when we got to use a microscopic camera to look at the hair follicles on the blanket because it showed us what everyday things look like under a microscope. Something I found interesting was that the case we investigated was a real case! I really, really loved this incursion and I even think that a Forensics Officer is a future profession!’

Luca

‘The Forensic Science Incursion was really interesting to see how science is used in real life and how real-life crimes are solved. One very interesting fact we learnt was that you can tell how many days someone has been dead by the heat of the body's temperature. It was also very interesting to see all the items that would not be recognised or considered as evidence by unqualified detectives of forensic scientists.’

Maeve and Isobella