Winter at the Police Museum
Need a clue as to what to do this Winter Break?
This Winter Break, the Police Museum will be offering both it’s popular drop-in investigation as well as special forensics-themed workshops for youth age 7 – 10 and 11 – 14. We're also launching a new Jr. Forensic Investigator's Club; click here for details.
Forensics Workshops
On select days during the winter break, 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) and ballistics. A workshop for older students on blood spatter will also be offered. After the workshop, students are welcome to visit the museum and put their new skills to the test with our Forensics Drop-in activities at no additional charge. ($10/student, $5/member; spaces are limited and reservations are required.)
Winter 2009 Workshop Series Schedule
We are offering workshops for several different age groups; please refer to the legend below for which colours are associated with which age-group.
| Workshops for Ages 4-6 |
Workshops for Ages 7-10 |
Workshops for Ages 11-14 |
| Monday Dec 21 |
Tuesday Dec 22 |
Wednesday Dec 23 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9:30 - 10:30 | Fingerprints | Fingerprints | Mini Police Academy |
| 11:00 - 12:00 | Forensic Entomology |
Forensic Entomology |
Blood Spatter |
| Monday Dec 28 |
Tuesday Dec 29 |
Wednesday Dec 30 |
|
| 9:30 - 10:30 | Ballistics | Ballistics | Mini Police Academy |
| 11:00 - 12:00 | Impression Evidence |
Impression Evidence | Blood Spatter |
- 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 – Wherever we go, we leave an impression: footprints, tire treads and more. 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 bullets as evidence in the investigation of a crime.
- Blood Spatter – What story do these shapes and patterns tell us? Not for the feint of heart, this workshop will explore the basics of blood spatter analysis. (Suitable for older students only!)
For Younger Kids (Ages 4-6)
- Mini Police Academy - Join us for a fun-filled hour of fingerprint art, suspect sketching, dress-up and more. This program is open to children aged 4-6 and is a great introduction to police in our community and the work they do.
Registration is now open and can be done in-person at the museum, over the phone (604-665-3346) or via email at programs@vancouverpolicemuseum.ca. These workshops tend to fill up quickly, so please register early.
Forensics Drop-in Program
Drop-in with your family and try to solve a crime. Suitable for children (and adults) of all ages.
Bring your family to the Vancouver Police Museum anytime between 12noon and 4pm, Monday-Wednesday during Winter Break (Dec 21-23 and 28-30) to get a real hands-on forensic science experience. Discover how police investigators collect and analyze evidence from crime scenes by doing it yourself! Two different scenarios are offered with different types of evidence.
Depending on the scenario, you might take fingerprints, examine bullets recovered from the crime scene, measure blood spatter or examine a questioned document. Drop in and explore the science of contemporary police work.
There is a $1/person charge for this program in addition to the regular museum admission. $8/adult, $6/student. (Or free, if taking one of our forensics workshops.)
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.