Kemper Library: Forensic Science

Try searching for the names of the victims or suspects. You can also limit your search by dates, too. 

Over the next several months, you will take on the role of a detective investigating a murder that took place in the 1800's. Your job is to create a Detective's Case Log, which will serve as your official record of the investigation. Think of it as both a scientific report and a detective's journal. 

You will build this log piece by piece, starting with background research on life in the 1800's and the murder itself, then documenting victims and suspects, sketching and photographing the crime scene, analyzing evidence through labs, tracking suspects' timelines, and finally preparing a trial record and conclusion where you make your case about "who did it."

You Case Log may be created either digitally or physically. Be creative in how you present your work - the more your Case Log looks and feels like a real detective's investigation, the stronger it will be. Creativity, organization, and presentation matter just as much as accurate science and research.

The Case Overview sets the stage for your investigation. It should give the reader background on the time and place of the murder, as well as an introduction to the case itself.

Your Overview must include:

• Life in the 1800s (regional focus): Describe daily life, culture, technology, and crime investigation methods in the region where the murder took place.
• The murder case itself: WHO, WHAT, WHEN, WHERE - provide a clear summary of the crime. You do NOT need to go into detail about the victims or suspects, this will be done in another section of the notebook.
• Length: At least 1 full page (typed, double-spaced) or equivalent digital/paper format.
• Visuals: minimum of 4 visuals (images, maps, artifacts, or drawings) that support your overview.
• Citations: At least 3 credible sources, cited in MLA format with a works cited section. (Remember: our school database subscriptions include citations.)
• Presentation: Your overview should be clear, organized, aesthetically pleasing, and show creativity in layout/design. 

Use the resources in the boxes to find information about life in the 1800's. 

Resources for Research:

When you open the American History database, you will see a section on the right side of the page called "Daily Life in America." Scroll down to click on "Life in the Early National Period" for some basic information about life during this time period before the Civil War. You will also find useful information by clicking on "Daily Life in the Civil War and Reconstruction Era."