Where In The World Is Carmen San Diego and Who Murdered Her?

You are about to enter into the fascinating world of FORENSIC SCIENCE. This WebQuest exercise is exactly that, a Quest. You are the criminologist assigned to investigate the dissapearance and possible murder of "Carmen San Diego." You and your "highly experienced" team of forensic scientists must research the the field of criminology, study the techniques employed by forensics specialists for identifying and analyzing evidence, and attempt to solve the murder mystery of the century. You will be acquiring knowledge of the skills and practices used by actual criminlogists as you complete this mission. These skills and practices will include fingerprint, fiber, hair, and blood analysis and identification. In addition, you will gain valuable knowledge in the areas of deductive reasoning, critical thinking, and laboratory techniques. This WebQuest page will guide you step by step through the initial information gathering part of this unit on Forensic Science. You will need to take careful notes on the information that you gather during this WebQuest because it will be the basis upon which you will complete your own analysis of the evidence that has already been gathered concerning this crime. A careful study of the material presented in this WebQuest will enable you to solve the mystery and find out "Who Murdered Carmen San Diego."

The following Steps will guide you through this webquest exercise.

Step One: So you say I'm a Criminolo What?

In order to gain a general understanding of what you will be doing in this entire unit, it is imperative that you understand exactly what your role is going to be. During this step you will be accessing a web site that will inform you of what a criminologist is and does. Good Luck, and remeber to follow each direction carefully and document your answers to the questions in each step.

Access the web site below by clicking on the CSI link. Click on the Crime Scene Investigator line. Read "The Crime Scene Investigator" by Hayden B. Baldwin. Click on the Crime Scene Investigators Job Description line and use the information from this web page to answer the following questions. I recomned that you write down these quetions so you will have them once you are at this site.

1. What is a Criminologist?(Hint: What does CSI stand for?)
2. What are three purposes of a Criminologist?
3. Where can a CSI expect to spend most of his or her time?
4. List one function from each paragraph under the heading Functions.
5. What is meant by the term Latitude in relationship to a CSI?
6. What is the greatest challenge you as a CSI will face?
7. What characteristics about yourself would make you a great CSI?
8. What aspects of becoming a CSI interest you?
9. What aspects of becoming a CSI do not interest you?

CSI Link

Step Two: Let's Get Our Fingers Dirty!

Now it's time to dive right in with both hands, or should I say all ten fingers. As a professional CSI, you must have a firm understanding of fingerprint technology. During this step you will explore the world of fingerprint evidence.

Access the web site below by clicking on the Fingerprint Link. Use the information on this page to answer the following questions.

1. What are the two rules upon which the science of fingerprints is based on?
2. What are fingerprints used for?
3. What are the seven classifications of fingerprints?
4. Draw a rough sketch of each type of fingerprint and give a brief description of each.
5. Waht are some ways one could make fingerprints visible?
6. What is Typica and what is it used for?

Fingerprint Link

Step Three: Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow - Cotton, the Fibers of Your Life - Count Dracula Wants to "Type" Your Blood.

In this third and final step of the webquest, you get the opportunity to do a little initial investigative research on your own. Besides fingerprint evidnece, there are a number of different sources for evidence. As the title of this step indicates, three additional areas of evidence should be conidered in any criminal investigation. Your challenge for this step is to find out as much as you can about each of these three areas of evidence. Now, I won't leave you completely blind in this effort. Somewhere on this page is a link that will take you to untold sources of information about all three areas of evidence. First you must find the link, and then you must tour the web site to gain the information that you need. Remember to take copius notes because you will need the information to solve the mystery. Good luck, and just to help out a little, I will give you a clue. The link you are looking for is not one that you have used already.

You have just completed Forensics Science 101

You are now a qualified criminologist. You have the knowledge base necessary to complete the investigative research that will help you solve the mytery of the century. Good Luck!

Remember to keep all of your notes in your CSI crime journal. You will need them to complete the remaining portions of this unit.

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