Forensics
Teacher Resources

Forensics: Uncover the Science and Technology of Crime Scene Investigation

By Carla Mooney  
Illustrated by Sam Carbaugh
Forensics: Uncover the Science and Technology of Crime Scene Investigation introduces students to the fascinating world of forensic science and shows them how to find clues, analyze evidence, and crack the case. Combining hands-on activities with forensic science, kids will have fun learning about the world of forensics, evidence collection, and crime lab analysis. Entertaining illustrations and fascinating sidebars illuminate the topic and bring it to life, reinforcing new vocabulary. Projects include documenting a crime scene, identifying fingerprints, analyzing blood spatter, and extracting DNA. Additional materials include a glossary and a list of current reference works, websites, museums, and science centers.
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Reviews

Science Books & Films
++: Highly Recommended
“This book provides the reader a with wealth of information about forensic science. The timeline and history of forensics shows how long forensic science has been a part of human society. The book thoroughly covers many aspects of forensic science, while at the same time keeping the information fun and interesting. The information is presented in a step-wise fashion, allowing the reader to understand the content, and use what is learned in different case studies. The cartoons draw the reader in, while at the same time adding an additional layer of information. Overall this book offers the reader a fun way to approach scientific investigative studies.”

Archimedes Notebook: hands-on science exploration for children and their parents
“This is a wonderful book, and I can't believe I let it fall to the bottom of my book review basket. Especially since I enjoy watching Bones and NCIS!”

Children's Literature Review
“Forensics and Crime Scene Investigations (CSI) are a hot topic right now. Television and movies show us the CSI professionals at work. In the last few years, I've seen museums with hands on exhibits, as well as schools offering forensic classes in high school, and even middle school. What I hadn't seen was an age appropriate hands-on science book about forensics. This book will be enjoyed by many teens that want to explore CSI, and should be available as a resource book for middle school science fairs.”

Booklist
“Like other titles in the Inquire and Investigate series, this book focuses on a high-interest topic in a cutting-edge field to reinforce young people's understanding of the scientific method . . . an appealing and age-appropriate STEM resource.”

Bookloons.com
“This student directed approach to learning looks at the world of forensic science. The reader is shown how to find clues, analyze evidence and thus crack the case just the way real forensics investigators do. Carla Mooney's approach to this topic is to bring together hands-on investigation with history, science and technology as the young detectives discover how to carefully collect evidence and perform their own crime lab analysis. Designed for middle school students, the projects outlined in this book range from identifying fingerprints, analyzing blood spatter and extracting DNA, to dealing with footprints and tire tracks and finding a forged signature. With entertaining illustrations and informative Forensic Fact sidebars that offer more information about the topic, this book will not only engage the reader but also make the young person want to know more about the subject.”

Dwight E. Adams, Ph.D., Director, Forensic Science Institute, University of Central Oklahoma
“This age-appropriate book is an excellent example of both the breadth of forensic science and the amalgamation of science, art, technology, and law. It provides excellent hands-on exercises to reinforce the content.”

Clea Koff, forensic anthropologist and author
“Forensics gets at the essence of crime scene investigation. A must-read for any young student interested in how science can help solve crimes.”

Marla Conn, educational consultant
“This title is perfect! Forensics aligns to the Common Core CCR standards for reading informational texts and science/technical subjects.”

James Creecy, DNA Evidence Coordinator, Forensic Science Institute, University of Central Oklahoma
“Carla Mooney did her homework! I particularly enjoyed the experiments at the end of each chapter. As a forensic scientist, educator, and parent I am happy to recommend this introduction to the fascinating world of forensics.”

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Detailed Book Description

Forensics: Uncover the Science and Technology of Crime Scene Investigation introduces students to the fascinating world of forensic science and shows them how to find clues, analyze evidence, and crack the case.

Combining hands-on activities with forensic science, kids will have fun learning about the world of forensics, evidence collection, and crime lab analysis. Entertaining illustrations and fascinating sidebars illuminate the topic and bring it to life, reinforcing new vocabulary. Projects include documenting a crime scene, identifying fingerprints, analyzing blood spatter, and extracting DNA. Additional materials include a glossary and a list of current reference works, websites, museums, and science centers.

Available In:
Hardcover, $21.95
9781619301887
Paperback, $16.95
9781619301849
Includes: Table of Contents | Timeline | Charts | Glossary | Resources | Index
Specs: 8 x 10 size | black and white interior | 128 pages
Subject: Science
Content Focus: Chemistry
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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Timeline

Introduction
Crack the Case

Chapter 1
The World of Forensics

Chapter 2
Fingerprints

Chapter 3
Blood Evidence

Chapter 4
Bones and Bodies

Chapter 5
Making an Impression: Marks and Prints

Chapter 6
The Tiniest Clues: Trace Evidence

Chapter 7
Fakes and Forgeries

Glossary
Resources
Index