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Forensics
Forensic Science, an elective taught by Dan Ledoux, introduces upper-school students to crime-scene science though real-life lessons. The term began with a study of perception, types of evidence, and techniques for gathering evidence. In mid-September, students broke glass slides and part of a windshield during class to observe glass breakage patterns to see what those patterns might tell them about entry and exit. “A forensic scientist can determine the degree and direction of the force applied and even clues about the tool used [to break the glass] by examining the fragments,” says Mr. Ledoux. “For example,” explains Caitlin Corkeron ’21 “glass can shatter on impact or break in a concentric ring pattern depending on the type of glass, how it was struck, and how hard. Something like a hammer may leave an indent as well as a break pattern.”
The class later studied footprints and fingerprints and learned the difference between patent (visible) and latent (invisible) prints, and how chemical reagents, powder, and light are used to discover them during an investigation. Students made their own prints using special paper that lifted body oils and made an imprint. Later in the term, students will make castings of footprints as they move into analyzing evidence.
When asked why she signed up for this elective, Justine Clements ’21 said, “Forensics is like a good puzzle and I’ve always been interested in it. My favorite show is Forensic Files on Netflix, and I love trying to solve it before they do.”
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