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Crime scene sketches contain a wealth of information, making them an important part of police investigations. When you bring crime scene sketches into a forensic science class, the information becomes a valuable teaching tool—one sure to interest even the most reluctant high school science student.
Add scene sketching forensic science activities, lessons, and resources to your crime scene unit to help students practice following directions and applying practical math and observation skills. Your true crime unit will be memorable and educational!
Real Crime Scene Sketching Forensic Science Activities
There’s a reason true crime is a popular genre in movies, TV, and podcasts. People are interested in the crime itself, but more importantly, they are interested in the way forensic teams work together to solve the crime quickly. Add a real-crime element to high school STEM activities, including a scene-sketch forensic science activity to show students the importance of evidence and details in police investigations.
- Crime Scene Investigator: Have students learn to map crime scenes as part of a career exploration unit for high school students and have them research more about the roles of forensic scientists and crime scene investigators.
- Fictional Crime Podcast: Using true crime podcasts as inspiration, students can create a fictional crime event and plan a podcast episode (or series of episodes) using crime scene sketches to solve the case.
- True Crime Research Project: Encourage groups or individuals to research real crime incidents and report case proceedings to the class, including accurate and analyzed crime scene sketches.
💡Pro Tip: “True crime is a great way to pique students’ interest and get them more involved in a crime scene sketching lesson plan. There are many documentaries out there that students taking forensics classes may already be watching. Omitting the gore, but incorporating similar evidence or themes from the type of crime, or even the names of suspects and victims, can guide you in the proper use of these true crimes.”
— Linda M., New York State Teacher Emeritus, from Small Town Science
Sketch a real crime scene
Drawing a fictional crime scene is one thing, but what does a real crime scene look like? Students are taught to sketch crime scenes based on real crime incidents they have researched and analyzed.
crime scene sketch assignment
life in prism
Grade: Grades 9-12
Topics: Criminal Justice, Law, Forensics
Individuals and groups use forensic science scene mapping skills to study real crime incidents and map the crime scene accordingly using measured parameters and details from the case study.
Follow the instructions in the Crime Scene Sketching activity
Crime scene sketches can help students practice following instructions, especially when it comes to scientific procedures. Many aspects of forensic science align with the NGSS, including science and engineering practices and cross-cutting concepts, and each skill emphasizes the importance of following directions accurately. Use these scenario sketch forensic science activities to teach students how to follow procedural steps.
- Logic puzzle: Assign students crime-related grid logic puzzles to practice narrowing down options, following directions, and reasoning.
- Partner direction: Have the pair take turns reading each other’s instructions for the crime scene sketches and see how well they do with each sketch given only verbal instructions.
- Crime Scene Classroom: See how well students follow directions by setting up a crime scene using provided materials, measuring tools, and minimal teacher intervention.
Follow instructions to sketch a crime scene
How well do your students follow written instructions? Incorporate this valuable skill into an upcoming science lesson or when teaching students to sketch a crime scene in a forensic science unit.
CSI Forensic Science: Follow Instructions – Crime Scene Sketch Edition
By: Thelma and Louise – Teaching is a breeze
Grade: Grades 6-12
Topics: Criminal Justice, Law, Forensics
Much of forensic science—and all science for that matter—involves following the following instructions. Taking students through the steps necessary to map a crime scene in a forensic science course, this course guides individuals or groups through specific and detailed instructions and includes student notes, teacher notes, and a printable blank crime scene.
Mathematics and measurement forensic science concept
Forensic scientists use mathematics every day, from measuring elements of a crime scene to calculating the results of the evidence they collect. Use these scene sketch forensic science activities as interdisciplinary opportunities to blend math and science in engaging ways.
- Blood spatter analysis: Students use geometry and trigonometry skills to decipher how a crime occurred based on blood evidence at a crime scene.
- Enlarge the sketch: Students use algebra and arithmetic skills to create sketches and enlarge them to poster board size or the size of an entire classroom crime scene reconstruction.
- Polar coordinate mapping: Have the group triangulate a crime scene sketch using polar coordinates by establishing reference points and measuring distances and angles of important evidence.
💡Pro Tip: “Students have difficulty taking measurements and creating appropriate scale for their formal drawings. I measure the crime scene one-on-one with the group. I try to keep the scene small and relatively rectangular, with few objects/evidence in the scene. All measurements are recorded in a data sheet for the group to use. I find that through measurement and proportion, students gain a better understanding when they have first-hand experience seeing the scene in real life and on paper. They can visually connect the scene.”
— Linda M., NYS Master Emeritus, from Small Town Science
Take a cautious approach to crime scene investigation
Show students that they will actually one day put all their measurement knowledge to use with a math-centered forensic science lesson. These practical applications of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and trigonometry illuminate each concept in a new and fascinating way.
Forensic Science: Teach How to Sketch a Crime Scene
curiosity science
Grade: Grades 9-12
Subjects: Forensic Medicine, Science
Build an interdisciplinary crime scene sketching course using elements of mathematical measurement and forensic science. Students complete step-by-step crime scene sketching activities using digital measurement tools and then create their own crime scenes based on what they learned.
Triangulate the crime scene
One of the first things a crime scene investigator does with a crime scene sketch is triangulate it between two reference points and one piece of evidence. Show students how to use the math skills they’re learning now with a thought-provoking crime scene sketching lesson to complete this simple yet important task.
Mapping a Crime Scene: Lesson Plan Pack
Author: Fashion Science Teacher
Grade: Grade 8-12
Subjects: Criminal Justice, Law, Forensic Science, Science
Lesson plans, editable option notes, practice worksheets, and sketching activities guide students through the basic steps of sketching and triangulating a crime scene like a forensic scientist.
Engaging crime scene activities for art classes
Forensic science is not just a science and math class. Let art students hone their skills while practicing different types of crime scenes, including rough sketches, finished sketches, overview and bird’s-eye view sketches, and utilization view sketches.
- Attention to detail: Art students are encouraged to learn more basic crime scene instruction and add artistic details such as shading and perspective.
- Rough machining to polishing: Practice the art of quick sketching by giving art students a limited amount of time to create a rough draft while still providing enough context to make it possible to refine the draft later.
- Synthetic sketch: Given the details they discovered and analyzed in interdisciplinary crime scene classes, such as suspects’ heights and eyewitness accounts, have students take turns playing “witnesses” (people describing the subject) while the artists follow their instructions.
Forensic Medicine Teaching Techniques
Follow these tips to build the strongest forensic science unit possible, including practical crime scene setting and scene sketching sessions.
- Includes a variety of science skills related to the National Institute of Standards and Technology Forensic Science Standards, such as trace evidence courses in chemistry or pattern interpretation in physics.
- Preload instructions before crime scene day and try to keep the day primarily student-driven. They should practice making their own inferences rather than filling in the blanks.
- Ask experts to talk about how they use these skills every day, including forensic scientists or crime scene investigators.
- Focus on crime scene analysis rather than the violence of the crime. Most high school-level forensic science courses reduce the level of violence in descriptions or images, so they rely on this material.
- Have the necessary tools ready, such as magnifying glasses, dusting powder, microscopes, and whatever is needed for different types of evidence.
- Participate in the school’s mock trial team as a joint project for young scientists, conducting analysis and reporting to the team as evidence.
💡Pro Tip: “As a teacher, you not only bring excitement, but you also serve as a guide. I love being a part of the process as much as they do! Planning is key, too. Before starting an assignment, I need to carefully consider all materials, the time required, and any obstacles I may encounter. Do I need to reserve a room or location for a crime scene? Do I need to notify management or post signs for cleaning crews to ensure the scene is not visible? Upset?
— Linda M., New York State Teacher Emeritus, from Small Town Science
Inquiry-based learning through forensic science practice
Crime scene analysis is a practical and engaging way for students to apply the science, math, and art skills they learn in the classroom. Whether they’re doing a live sketch forensic activity or constructing a real-life crime scene in class, they’ll follow their curiosity to solve crimes (a great way to practice inquiry-based learning in any high school classroom).
Use these activity ideas and more high school forensic science resources to get students thinking, working, and learning. They may even start pursuing career opportunities they never considered before!
