Toru have been learning about Forensic Science this term

 In Term 2 Toru learnt about forensic science. They learnt how to identify fingerprints, fibre samples, powders and handwriting. This was part of their science learning and also included maths and writing.

The first activity was fingerprints. The class looked at their fingerprints using a magnifying glass. They looked at the different patterns. The patterns included whorl, simple loop, double loop and arch. The students discovered that people could have more than one pattern on their fingers.

                                                                 Carefully investigating fingerprint patterns with the classic detective tool - the magnifying glass. 

Next the students looked at fibre samples using a microscope. They found fibres had different characteristics. “I saw black spots on the wool,” said Ava. “The black t-shirt material looked like hair,” said Stella. “The wool looked like a spider,” said Cole.

                                                                                The third activity was looking at the solubility and pH of different white powders.

 “We put water and salt together and put in the pH strip and it changed colour,” said Karuwai. Other powders the student looked at included flour, washing soda and citric acid. Checking the solubility and pH of different white powders.

Finally the students looked at different handwriting, and tried to work out what handwriting sample matched whose writing book.

Once the class had learnt all their new skills they put them to use solving a mystery. “The mystery was trying to find out who stole a laptop,” said Samuel. The students had to decide who stole the laptop from four suspects. They did this by looking at evidence that included fingerprints, fibres, powder and handwriting. All the class were successful in arresting suspect Jackie. The young detectives are now looking for more cases to solve.