C.S.I. Crime Scene Analysis.

Today was our GROUP Forensic Class Day!! Our friends came over and we got ready to process the crime scene! hen our evidence markers were made and out latex gloved donned, we found the crime scene! It was a messy murder. Molly got caught in the struggle, but luckily only got a little blood splatter on her ankle and shoe.

[making evidence markers]

The kids took strips of yellow cardstock, (3"x12" cut from a 12x12 cardstock sheet). They folded the stripin half. opened it tosee the fold mark. made a mark 3" up from the edge and folded the edge to tough that 3" mark. they folded both sides, then marked their number and taped the ends.

[making fingerprint powder]

We had a little left, but I wanted to make sure we had enough, plus show them how to make their own. Use tile and a candle to make soot. Mix equal parts soot cornstarch. Use a fingerprint brush to brush the surface for prints. (explained on this previous blog entry)

[The Crime Scene] see Molly on the floor next to victim.... she ended up being fine.

We arrived on the scene, notes were taken, a sketch was made, and photos were taken.

[marking evidence at the scene]

both knives were tested with Luminol. One showed no change. One had the bluish glow of blood trace! but I could not get a good picture of it. Use your imagination.

I used training Luminol. It was awesome to pray something and see it glow blue/purple! I purchased a special synthetic blood that reacts with Luminol! I'll try for better pictures of it working later.(click here for a CSI Store online)

Below is a close-up of the head wound. Our victim was shot in the head and stabbed in the back with a knife.

They found bullet holes in a window. A few team members went outside to investigate and record evidence.



[Bullet casings found outside]

[marking & photographing evidence] this shows she was sot first and the suspect then came inside to stab her (bringing leaves from the bush by the window)

BACK IN THE LAB...

[analyzing evidence- prints off the glass]




[analyzing evidence]

~comparing bite marks~

The Lip marks on one of the glasses matched the victim and this apple. The teeth mark on the sandwich did not math the apple and the sandwich bitemark was smaller than the victim's teeth.

After the evidence was recorded, gathered, and analyzed, the kids then used their pictures and charts and measurements to reconstruct the crime scene.

They will be writing stories to explain what they think may have happened. I can't wait to hear them!

We had a lot of fun and found out how much there is do to process a crime scene.

We even SKYPED with some of our far-away friends so they could join in the fun!

MORE FORENSIC POSTS:** Pics of making our own Fingerprint powder and using it: CLICK HERE

** Click to see our "real Crime Scene Processing" CLICK HERE

** Check Out Pictures from our Cake Mystery and Shoe Impression by clickingHERE (shoes, foam, & cake).

** Our Tool Mark Analysis Activity -> CLICK HERE

** To See Our Gang War Autopsies CLICK HERE

** Blood Forensics --> CLICK HERE

** Anthropology --> CLICK HERE

** Odontology Dissecting teeth --> CLICK HERE

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Looking Ahead, but not very far.

Sometimes, Looking Ahead starts with a little Looking Behind. Like remembering when the kids where younger and I had more to do to herd them daily, but a lot less to do on my calendar. More to Juggle IN THE HOME, but a lot LESS to juggle outside of the home. Neither way i s better or worse. Life is just a series of trade-offs and changes.

Gavin is registered at a student at the local Community College. He's in 11th grade. Here (and many other place) upper High School kids can take college courses that count at college credits (so the are a few steps ahead of the game when they graduate high school) and that count as High School credits. And it's usually tuition free. (but other fees apply, of course. Like books and art supplies)

This new endeavor will have us booked every Monday and Wednesday morning. No more deciding to skip off to the beach on a Monday Morning or fit his dentist appointments in on a Wednesday morning.

Connor and Ki will be taking Wednesday Afternoon Theater Classes. So no afternoon beach trips on Wednesdays.

This concept of having to fit our lives around school is something we are not used to doing. We have done it for a short time a couple times, but it's always a huge hassle. But, then, so are lots of things in life. That's just how it goes.

Gavin is taking an Art Class at Allan Hancock College. I figured it'd be good to start off with something easy; esp since he'll miss the first day of class because he'll be out of state. Though he is a registered student, he has not enrolled in this art class. "College Now" class enrollment starts Aug 9th. This is the day before he leaves on his trip. Nothing like cutting it down to the last minute. I thrive on procrastination. That feeling of having "NO MORE time left, so gotta do it NOW!"

I really should start thinking about their other learning adventures; math, science. history, grammar.... But it's not down to the final hour yet, so I have plenty of time until that Window Of Motivation.

***** Subject Change *****

I have had 4 acupuncture appointments. 2 worked GREAT, one NOT at ALL, and this last one has not had migraines afterwards, but I'm headachey. But then again, I don't think I'm getting enough protein and my water and glucose intake or not optimal.

But I'm also learning some acupressure that I can use with Ki, too.

***** Subject Change *****

Here i a fun little game that has you building a cell and fighting of viruses and looks like maybe splicing DNA in the future- all why teaching what the different parts of the cell do and how.

CELLCRAFT (click to play)

***** Subject Change *****

I knit a couple Coffee Cup Sleeves. I wanted to learn to use DPNs. Double Pointed Needles.. I found that it is easier to use 5 than 4.

***** Subject Change *****

The summer is a time of less structure. Less structure is a time of more Sensory Meltdowns. Ki's meltdowns and outbursts have been getting more frequent and more..intense.

When I plan the upcoming 'more structured than not-schooling', I'll be adding some occupational Therapy for Ki (his brothers will join in).

This will include, but it not limited to, Obstacle Courses, Brain Gym, joint Compression. Yoga, and maybe some massage.