National Standards for Grade Levels 8-12
 
Properly identified, preserved, and evaluated forensic impressions can lead a crime scene investigator to class evidence that is crucial to a case. Footprints, shoe prints, tire tracks, and other impressions in soft materials are investigated as students become the detectives and learn to properly collect, record, photograph, and avoid destroying crime scene evidence. They cast six types of impressions using paint, carbon powder, plaster, and clay. Includes six separate experiments: Writing Impressions, Plastic Prints, Rope and Binding Impressions, Key Impressions, Shoe Impressions, and Tire Impressions. Allow 90 minutes for experimentation, plus two 30 minutes drying times. Materials provided for 24 students working in groups of two or four, depending upon the activity.
 
Required, but not included:
an old tire
an old gym shoe
mixing containers
newspaper