CSI came to Driffield School and Sixth Form on 12 January when students from Year Seven and Year Eight became detectives and forensics experts for the day!
The special event was provided by Sci-High expert Jon Bates, who is a former professional forensic scientist.
Sci-High is an organisation based in Rotherham which specialises in “whodunit” forensic science events, showing the criminal justice process all the way from the crime scene to the courtroom.
They involve the students in the processing of a crime scene, the examination of forensic exhibits, evidence interpretation, and the presentation of evidence in realistic role-play mini-trials.
Students were given the task of investigating an aggravated burglary (a burglary followed by an assault), which had taken place on the school premises the night before, to find out which of the suspects was guilty.
They examined the crime scene in full kit of white suits, masks and gloves and did lots of practical exercises including lifting fingerprints and taking footwear impressions, blood pattern analysis, collecting DNA evidence, physical fit, handwriting comparison, ink analysis and digital forensics.
There were named suspects and by finding the clues and examining the evidence, the students found out who was guilty.
An exciting and unpredictable role-play courtroom trial with students in legal costumes completed the event.
Rachael Schofield, the science teacher who organised the event, said: “The emphasis was on quality learning, fun and enjoyment.
“The day provided students with the excitement of doing real-world professional science and showed them the importance of critical thinking and teamwork.
“Appropriate real forensic science cases were also discussed and there were plenty of opportunities for students to ask questions about scientific qualifications and careers.
“This was a quality science experience which was tremendous fun and provided lots of real-world forensic know-how.”