FORENSIC SCIENCE

GRIFFIN
Famous Death Project

Instructions: Identify a famous or high profile death case, and identify and explain each of the
following characteristics of it in the form of a paper and a visual representation. Due:
November 30th, 2015
Requirements:
You should compile all of the information into a Three (3) page paper and a visual
representation of the information, such as a video/poster/powerpoint/prezi/skit etc.
1. Mechanism, Cause and Manner of Death
2. Biography of victim AND murderer/cause of death
a. If death was due to drugs/alcohol/poisoning, give a thorough background
explanation of it (toxicology)
b. What was going on during the time period
3. Evidence used to Solve Case (If Unsolved, describe what evidence could/should have been
used)
a. Describe how each piece of evidence collected and analyzed
b. Identify and describe the crime labs used to analyze each piece of evidence
4. Crime scene
a. Location
b. Search Patterns
c. State of body when found (Mortis characteristics)
5. Reflection on case
a. What might you have done differently as the forensic scientist working on the case?
b. Do you think they did the victim justice?
c. Was forensic science properly used to solve the case?
6. Sources:
a. 2 Books (minimum)
b. 1 peer reviewed article (minimum)
c. 2 web-based resources (minimum)
*Note: If many of the components of the death case are unknown, you may have to choose a
different person. However, if it is possible to speculate and make educated guesses about what
could have happened and what should have been done, an exception could be made. (Confirm
with Ms. Griffin)
Over the next 2 months, there will be due dates for pieces of the project:
October 13th: Source list due
October 30th: Biography (victim and murderer) due 1 page typed
November 13th: Evidence and crime scene part due 1 page typed
November 20th: Visual representation due (Decide on how you plan to present project, and tell
me)
November 30th: Projects Due! Presentations begin.
Project Rubric:

Dimensi
ons

Beginning
(0 points)

Developin
g

Competent
(11-20

Mastered
(21-25

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Biography

No biography
given about those
involved in case

GRIFFIN

(1-10
points)

points)

Incomplete
biography, no
information given
about time period

Partially complete
biography with
partial description
of time period

Incomplete
description of
evidence no
crime labs listed
Incomplete
description of
crime scene

Partial
explanation of
evidence, crime
labs mentioned

Evidence

No evidence
listed

Crime
Scene

No description of
crime scene

Reflection

No reflection
given

Incomplete
reflection

Partial reflection

Paper

No paper written

Paper written with

5 or more errors

Paper written with

2-4 errors

Sources

No sources listed

Only 1-2 Sources

Listed

3 Sources Listed

No presentation
prepared

Presentation is
incomplete
missing
components and
is not well
developed

Presentation
includes the
majority of the
requirements and
is visually
appealing

Visual
Presentati
on

Partial description
of crime scene

points)
Exceptional
biography and
thorough
depiction of time
period
Thorough
explanation of
evidence and
crime labs
Thorough
description of
crime scene
Thorough
reflection
Paper written with
less than 2 errors
at a high school
level
At least 5
Appropriate
Sources listed of
the required
types
Exceptional
presentation
Has all of the
requirements and
is very well put
together

*This will be entered as a test grade, so please take this project seriously and have a good time
putting it together!
Standards Covered:
SFS1. Students will recognize and classify various types of evidence in relation to the definition
and scope of Forensic Science.
c. Determine the proper techniques to search, isolate, collect, and record physical and
trace evidence.
d. Evaluate the relevance of possible evidence at the site of an investigation.
SFS2. Students will use various scientific techniques to analyze physical and trace evidence.
SFS3. Students will analyze the use of toxicology, serology, and DNA technology in forensic
investigations.
a. Classify toxins and their effects on the body.
c. Evaluate forensic techniques used to isolate toxins in the body.

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GRIFFIN
SFS5. Students will evaluate the role of Forensics as it pertains to Medicolegal Death
Investigation.
a. Identify various causes of death.
b. Analyze evidence that pertains to the manner of death.