Winter Break: Forensics for Kids

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. 

Winter 2010 Schedule to be announced soon!

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.)

  • 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.

Registrationopens on December 1st, 2010 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-Thursday during Winter Break (Dec 20-23 and 27-30) 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, look at broken glass, measure blood spatter or examine a questioned document. Drop in and explore the science of contemporary police work.

There is a $2/person charge for this program in addition to the regular museum admission. $9/adult, $7/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.