Forensic Science Career Connection

Your Mission:

1. Quickly strategize how to apply your forensic skills to a new scenario.
2. Discover related university majors and STEM careers.

Materials Required:

• Your knowledge from previous activities (fingerprints, chromatography, fibers, shoeprints, blood spatter/Teachable Machine)
• Internet access for research (facilitator will guide or provide resources)

Part I: The “Campus Cold Case” Quick Plan (Team Huddle)

Imagine a valuable research prototype was stolen from a locked university lab. The only clue is a cryptic note.

Your Task (in teams, ~15 mins):

1. Discuss: How would your team use at least three forensic techniques you’ve learned to investigate?
   • What’s one key piece of evidence you’d look for with each chosen technique?
   • How could Teachable Machine help with any visual evidence?
2. Share Highlights: Each team briefly shares 1-2 main ideas from their plan with the larger group.

Part II: University & Career Spotlights (Quick Explore)

Let’s see where your forensic skills can lead!

(Facilitator: Lead a brief group discussion for each field, perhaps using a shared screen for quick online examples of university programs or job descriptions.)

1. Forensic Science Hub:

   • Study: Forensic Science, Chemistry, Biology.
   • Careers: Crime Scene Investigator, Forensic Analyst (DNA, ballistics, trace evidence).
   • Connects to: All your learned skills!

2. Chemistry & Materials Lab:

   • Study: Chemistry, Biochemistry, Materials Science.
   • Careers: Forensic Chemist (analyzing inks, fibers, substances), Materials Analyst.
   • Connects to: Paper Chromatography, Fiber Analysis.

3. Biology & Microscopy Domain:

   • Study: Biology, Molecular Biology, Genetics.
   • Careers: Forensic Biologist/DNA Analyst, Microbiologist.
   • Connects to: Fiber Analysis, Blood Spatter analysis.

4. Digital Detective & AI Frontier:

   • Study: Computer Science, Data Science, Cybersecurity, AI.
   • Careers: Digital Forensics Analyst, AI Specialist in Forensics, Data Scientist for crime patterns.
   • Connects to: Teachable Machine, database analysis (fingerprints, shoeprints).

5. Criminology & Justice System:

   • Study: Criminal Justice, Criminology, Pre-Law.
   • Careers: Detective, Lawyer, Policy Analyst (using forensic findings).
   • Connects to: Understanding the impact of all forensic evidence.

Part III: Reflection – Your Next Step? (Brief Share)

Think about what you’ve learned and explored:

• Which area (Forensic Science, Chemistry, Biology, CS/AI, or Justice) sparked your interest most? Why?
• Can you imagine yourself in a STEM field using these skills?

Share one quick thought. Every skill you build is a step toward a fascinating future!

This activity shows how your current achievements link directly to higher education and careers where you can make a significant impact. Keep exploring!