Science Olympiad

Forensics Event
Hints, Tips, Things to Prep
Whats New
Each team member may bring notes
Bunsen burner
PS (polystyrene) limited to non-expanded
Fingerprints
8 NCIC classifications
development techniques
DNA
PCR (not cell division)
Blood type
ABO
avian vs mammalian vs reptilian
Overview
Story arc presents
suspects
types of evidence
which exhibit goes w/ which suspect
exhibit list
Table of Results
in notes?
Crime Scene
Suspect 1
Suspect 2
Suspect 3
S
u
s
p
e
c
t
s

Evidence
Powder Fiber Hair Poly Gr 2 Gr 2
P1
P2
P3
P4
R1
R3
R4
R2
Prep the Team
Divide the responsibilities
Trust each other
Person 1
start the chromatogram
powder tests
Person 2
prep the Table of Results
polymers
hair
fibers
Make the "Notes" page
8" x 11 "
allowed 2 sheets this year
hand written
there are 2 sides to a sheet of paper
Table of Test Results
dichotomous keys
entomology
flowcharts for tests
polymer density

Make the "Notes" page
tables of expected results
powders
which test yields which positive indication
distinguishing characteristics
hair
fibers
glass
formulas
R
f
spatter
Prep
Pack the "Kit"
see list in Rules
ex: thermometer
non-mercury (safety clause)
does not specify analog or digital
ex: test tubes or any devise in which they
can perform tests
plural
test tubes spot plates, well plates
have enough to run all tests w/o washing
waterproof box for dirty stuff
ex: paper towels
plural
does not specify all the same type
pack plenty (include enough for cleanup)
Categories of Exemplars
Powders
Polymers
Fibers
Hair
Chromatography
Any 2(R), 3(S), 4(N) of
fingerprints
DNA
glass
entomology
spatter
seeds & pollen
tracks & soils
blood type
bullet striations

Prep - Powders
Develop a Flowchart

Practice the tests
chart of results in "Notes"
count equipment needed for "Kit"
Soluble Iodine Test
HCl Test
Flame Test
Cornstarch
Calcium Carbonate
Calcium Sulfate
Pos
Electrolytic
Yes
Benedict's
No
Glucose
Sucrose
Neg
No Pos
Pos
pH
mild acid
Ammonium
Chloride
Yes
HCl Test
vinegar
smell
Sodium Acetate
base
CO
2
Test
no smell
pH
<10 Sodium Hydrogen
Carbonate
Sodium Carbonate
>10
Yes
Sodium Chloride
Calcium Nitrate
Lithium Chloride
Potassium Chloride
yellow/orange
red/orange
crimson
purple
Flame Test
No
Magnesium Sulfate
yellow
no effect
Boric Acid
Flame Test
faint green
blue/green
Prep - Polymers
Burn Test Results
Polymer "Burn" Behavior
PETE Bubbles; slow burn; soot; pungent
HDPE Fast burn; clean; drips flames; white smoke
LDPE Fast burn; clean; drips flames; white smoke
PS Fast burn; lots of black soot
PP Slow burn; some drips flame
PVC Melts more than burns; self-extinguishing
PMMA Bright flame; no smoke
PC Slow burn / smolder; no smell; self-extinguishing
Prep - Polymers
Density Dichotomous Key
Water
46%
Isopropyl Alcohol
Vegetable
Oil
10% NaCl
Saturated
NaCl
PP LDPE HDPE
PS
PETE PVC
PC PMMA
Unknown Polymer
floats
sinks
floats
floats
sinks sinks
floats
sinks
sinks
floats
Prep - Fibers
Microscopic Examination
cotton twisted flat ribbon



wool hair; imbricate scales
Prep - Fibers
Microscopic Examination
silk double ribbon



linen - bamboo
Prep - Fibers
Microscopic Examination
nylon - tri-lobe cross-section



polyester - round cross-section; delustering pits
Fibers Burn Tests
Burns Asbestos
No
Self-Extinguishing
Yes
Chars
No Yes
Burning Grass
Grey Ash
Linen
Melts
Burning Paper
Grey Ash
Cotton
Vinegar Odor
Hard Black Ash
Acetate
Burning Meat
Hard Black Ash
Rayon
Tumeric Odor
Soft Black Ash
Acrylic
Chars
Burning Hair
Soft Black Bead
Silk
Melts
Burning Hair
Dark Ash
Wool
Celery Odor
Hard Grey Bead
Nylon
Sweet Smell
Hard Black Bead
Polyester
Prep - Hair
Human
Medullary index < 1/3
even distribution of pigment
Human Hairs
Hair Cross-Section
Prep - Hair
Animal
Medullary index > 1/2
Dog
continuous medulla
scales usually not visible
ovoid bodies
root is spade-like
Prep - Hair
Animal
Medullary index > 1/2
Cat
uniserial medulla; very large
spinous scales
root looks frayed
Prep - Hair
Other Stuff to Know
cuticle scale patterns
coronal (crown like)
imbricate (flat; think shingles)
spinous (petals; think asparagus tips)
medulla patterns (Nationals)
trace
discontinuous
continuous
uniserial ladder
multiserial ladder
amorphous (bubbly)


Prep - Chromatography
How to "run" a chromatogram
How to measure R
f

R
spot dist
front dist
f

Prep - Chromatography
Typical chromatograms


Prep Mass Spectroscopy
Consider affinity
area under curve % concentration
Optional - Fingerprints
arch


tented
arch

loop
radial
ulnar
Optional - Fingerprints
whorl


central
pocket


double
loop
accidental
Optional - Fingerprints
Minutia
bifurcation
trifurcation
ridge
island
dot
delta
Optional - Fingerprints
Detection
powder
cyanoacrylate fuming
amino acids, fatty acids, proteins
non-porous surfaces
iodine fuming
fats, oils
porous surfaces
noxious, corrodes surfaces
silver nitrate
salts
ninhydrin
amino acids
kills living tissues
Optional DNA Chromatogram
PCR DNA copy machine
Option - Glass
Index of Refraction
Hot-Stage Microscope
Stress Lines
Order of fractures
Option - Entomology
Time Lines

Blow Fly
larva
maggot
pupa
adult

Beetles
usually arrive after blow flies
Option - Spatter
Directionality
Angle of Impact
Droplet Size
sin
width of stain
length of stain
Option Seeds, pollen
visual microscopic comparison

Option Tracks
visual comparisons
directionality

Option Soils
compare composition
microscopic examination
soil triangle
Option Blood Type
ABO blood type
perform antigen tests
RBC, WBC, platlet
human vs avian vs reptilian


Option Bullets
comparison of striations
Science Olympiad
Forensics Event
Hints, Tips, Things to Prep