On 6th June a party of thirty six S1 and S2 pupils went to Stevenson College Edinburgh for a fun Science day.  There were two different workshop activities to chose from, either “Forensic Fun” or “Something in the Water”.  I was in the Forensic group for S2.

To start off we were given an introduction to Forensic Science.  Most of us selected this workshop as we had seen the techniques used in TV shows such as CSI.  We thought we’d be doing a murder investigation, and we were right.  Details of five suspects for a grisly murder were provided, and we had to decide “who-dunnit?” using a series of tests.

We were able to identify the time of death, analyse stains for blood and investigate the suspects’ DNA before lunch in the college cafeteria.  Then following soil analysis, blood group analysis and DNA finger-printing, we had to compare our results for all the tests.

Meanwhile the other pupils in the Water workshop were using industrial techniques to identify the source of a pollution incident.  A range of chemical tests and techniques that are used everyday in the water industry allowed them to consider which of three sources was the culprit.  Using apparatus and materials usually used in a Higher Chemistry course or seen in a news clip, the groups identified not one but two polluters, making the task even trickier to solve.

My group was able to find out the murderer though we hadn’t managed to win the prize for the best working and recording group.  We still had a great day and enjoyed the experience of working in the new laboratories in the College and learning about the particular techniques in Forensic and Freshwater Analysis.  And there are some great photos on display in the Science Department and on the school Intranet.

Irma K S2