Forensic Science Mock Trial

In lieu of a final exam, the underclassmen in the Forensic Science class participated in a "mock trial" in which they prepared evidence from twelve lab exercises that they completed over the course of this school year. The boys in the class chose to be the "defense team" and the girls chose to be the "prosecution team." They all did a remarkable job with only two class periods to pull together their information for today's trial.

Defense Team's Closing Argument

The Defense Team

Glass Analysis Expert Witness Testifies

Judge Claire presided over the trial.

The Prosecuting Team

Arson Expert Witness Testifies

The Prosecution's Opening Statement

Dartmouth Undergraduate Journal of Science Essay Competition for High School Students

The Dartmouth Undergraduate Journal of Science (http://www.dartmouth.edu/admissions/docs/isec-2014.pdf) is sponsoring an international science essay competition for high school students. I am writing to ask your help in sharing this information with students in your schools who may be interested in participating. By providing an interdisciplinary forum for sharing undergraduate research, the Dartmouth Undergraduate Journal of Science highlights the important and exciting work being done by Dartmouth students and faculty. Through the international science essay competition, the undergraduate editorial board seeks to include a broader array of voices in exploring the recent effects and future promise of science in our society. A complete explanation of the contest, along with rules for participation, can be found online (http://dujs.dartmouth.edu/isec-2014) . Thank you in advance for sharing this with your students and best wishes for the new school year. Maria Laskaris Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid Dartmouth College

Forensic Students Working on Bite Mark Analysis Lab

In their study of forensic impressions the students were given a photograph of a bite mark on a person of interest in the ongoing fictionalized crime case they have been investigating over the course of the school year. The person of interest claimed the bite mark was received in an altercation in his local pub. However, the authorities think he may have something to do with a victim whose body was found in a burnt out car. The students are comparing bite impressions from the bar patrons and the crash victim to the photograph of the suspect's bite mark.

Bite mark impressions lined up on one of the lab tables.

Catie is taking measurements of  "characters" of the impression which will be used for comparison.

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Claire dons plastic gloves in preparation for handling her assigned impressions.

Photograph of the bite on the person of interest.

Comparing the photograph to an impression, looking for "characters" they may have in common.

Francie get ready to carryout her impression comparisons.