Forensics Workshops for Kids

Explore the science behind capturing criminals in six themed workshops

During summer vacation (July 22-August 21 2010), the Police Museum will be running special forensics-themed workshops for kids aged 8-15.

Forensics Workshops

Through the late summer, we will be hosting a series of workshops for kids seriously interested in forensic science. Each workshop will go hands-on with a different topic, including fingerprints, impression evidence (foot and tire prints), forensic entomology (bugs), blood spatter (older kids only), physical matches (broken glass and cut rope) and ballistics (bullets and firearms). ($10/student, $5/member; spaces are limited and reservations are required.)

  • Fingerprints – Every time we touch something we leave unique marks. Come learn about the types of fingerprints, how we find and collect them and how we analyse them.
  • Impression Evidence – Footprints, tire treads, bite marks and tool marks. Come find out how we use all different kinds of impressions to catch bad guys.
  • Forensic Entomology – Sometimes, creepy crawlies provide the best evidence to solve a crime. You’ll learn all about bugs and how they make great witnesses
  • Ballistics – This workshop will explore how we analyze guns and bullets as evidence.
  • Physical Matches - From broken glass to ripped duct-tape, being able to match a piece of evidence to something else found at the crime scene - or in a suspect's possession - ban be crucial to figuring out what happened, and who was there.
  • Questioned Documents – Even in an electronic age, paper trails can provide important information for detectives. Study handwriting, examine counterfeit bills, and learn about chromatography. Kids have all the fun - this workshop is only for ages 8-11.
  • Blood Spatter – What story do these shapes and patterns tell us? Participants will get to create their own blood spatters, and learn what that can tell investigators about the nature of a crime. Not for the feint of heart, this workshop is only for ages 12-15.

Workshops run for one hour. There are only 25 spaces in each workshop, so book soon!

Summer 2010 Workshop Series Schedule

Workshops for
Ages 8-11		 Workshops for
Ages 12-15
  Thursday
July 22		 Friday
July 23		 Saturday
July 24
10:30 - 11:30     Questioned
Documents
12:00 - 1:00     Ballistics
2:00 - 3:00 Fingerprints Fingerprints Blood
Spatter
3:30 - 4:30 Impression Evidence Impression Evidence Ballistics
  Thursday
August 5		 Friday
August 6		 Saturday
August 7
10:30 - 11:30     Fingerprints
12:00 - 1:00     Impression Evidence
2:00 - 3:00 Forensic
Entomology		 Forensic
Entomology		 Fingerprints
3:30 - 4:30 Physical
Matches		 Physical
Matches		 Impression Evidence
  Thursday
August 19		 Friday
August 20		 Saturday
August 21
10:30 - 11:30     Forensic
Entomology
12:00 - 1:00     Physical
Matches
2:00 - 3:00 Blood
Spatter		 Questioned
Documents		 Forensic
Entomology
3:30 - 4:30 Ballistics Ballistics Physical
Matches

Group Bookings

This program is not designed for school, day camp, ESL and other groups. Instead, consider our Forensic Science educational program.

Please contact the museum for more information on this popular program.