Forensics, a Summative Laboratory Experience?

 

Tested Studies in Laboratory Teaching, 2015, Volume 36

Arthur L. Buikema, Jr., Woorman Lee, & Catherine M. Sarmadi

Abstract

This forensics exercise is used at the end of the fall semester to reacquaint students with the equipment that they were exposed to and the types of data they generated during the semester. The exercise is also designed to promote critical thinking. Students are given additional types of data, e.g., plant fragments, phone records, shoe prints, and tire tracks, and they are challenged to explain the potential cause of death of an individual found suspended from a tree stand. In groups, students prepare a presentation and defend their findings to the class. There is no correct answer to this exercise.

Keywords:  forensics, critical thinking, laboratory equipment, laboratory techniques, presentation

University of Oregon (2014)