Ana's blog

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Urine analysis 1

How can we use a urine sample found at the scene of a crime to provide clues to a criminal trial?

One way you can use a urine sample in a trial is if you find that the sample found at the crime matches one of the suspects. Then you know that suspect had something to do with the crime. If the sample found at the crime doesn't match any of the suspects samples then you know that none of your suspects had anything to do with the crime. In our case suspect C matched the urine found in the cellar. So we knew that suspect C committed the crime.

How might this lab be helpful in preparing you for the mission?

It could be helpful in preparing for the mission because if there is urine left somewhere we can run tests and it will get us closer to catching the criminal. Also, if we find any liquid found at the scene we will be able to do the same thing.

--Ana rae

partner: natalie

Monday, February 2, 2009

Powder Lab 1

What methods are used by forensic scientists to determine the nature of an unknown substance?

One method used by forensic scientists to determine the nature of an unknown substance is by comparison. We tested and observed different powders/drugs and compared them with the unknown substances found in the kids lockers. We found various results and some where very surprising. Another method forensic scientists use to determine the nature of an unknown substance is using various tests. For example hot plate test, distilled water test, addition of acetic acid test, addition of sodium carbonate test, addition of iodine, etc. They need many different tests and proofs that they have the right answer.

How might this lab be helpful in preparing you for the mission?

It might help us because we might find unknown powders or substances in our mission and need to know what they identify as. In that case we will compare test results to find the unidentified powder. Also if we find a certain powder that reacts to something it might be good to know to see what else reacts the same way to that.

-- Ana Rae

Lab 2

Science fiber power 1

Can you use fiber evidence to identify its source?

In science today we were given seven fibers and one unknown fiber. The unknown fiber was from one of the suspects. It was red so we were given all the men that walked into the apartment with red coats on the day of the murder. What we did was we took the unknown fiber and the seven known fibers and we did different tests on them and compared the results. So how you can use fiber evidence to identify its source is if you have a bunch of known fibers and you also have unknown fibers you can compare. For example if you put it under a microscope you can see which ones look the same up close or if you put it next to a flame you can see if they have different or the same results.

How might this be helpful in preparing you for the mission?

It is helpful because in the mission we might be solving a crime and if there are multiple suspects then we can compare fibers of theirs to known fibers. Also, if there are fibers that for example flame easily and we don't know what they are we can compare them to known fibers to find out what fiber it is.

--Ana Rae

February 2