Discovery Magazine Forensic Detectives 3-Pack VHS
Chemical * Archeological * Forensic
ISBN 1-58738-282-2 / Grade Level 5 - 12 / Runtime: 103 min. / 2005
In this engrossing presentation, students work alongside real-life forensic investigators who glean amazing information from physical evidence. Segments cover the study of archaeological finds, site evidence, DNA, and the human body.
Discovery Channel School's three-video set Forensic Detectives is a fascinating collection of true stories presented in the style of mysteries. The viewer can follow along as the actual scientists involved in these investigations demonstrate how evidence was collected and evaluated until, finally, the solution was revealed.
"Chemical Detectives," " Archaeological Detectives," and "Forensic Detectives" each contain several 10-20 minute scenarios that are ideally suited to supporting active classroom lessons. Each story is preceded by suggested discussion questions and ends with topics for further discussion or research. Useful lists of story highlights that correspond to the VCR's time counter allow teachers to cue to particular segments. Also included are lesson plans for lab activities that allow students to do some detective work of their own. More lesson plan ideas, background information, and supplemental reading suggestions are also available on the Discovery Channel website.
One of my favorite segments describes the now-forgotten mystery of bomb-dropping balloons that appeared in the western U.S. during the later days of World War II. Were they sent by Japan as a psychological war tactic? Could a rice-paper balloon carrying a bomb float across the ocean? Or were they sent from Japanese internment camps within the U.S.? Who designed their ingenious mechanisms? We gaze through the microscope with the scientists as they determined that the sand found in the balloons' ballast bags could be traced to a specific site of origin.
The answer to the mystery of the balloons is quite amazing, and the possible classroom extensions are almost limitless. What conflict did Japan have with the United States? Why were Japanese-Americans held in internment camps? How did geological studies identify where the sand particles had to originate? Can you think of any ways to improve the deceivingly simple mechanisms used to regulate the flight of the balloons and the timing of their bomb drops? And I couldn't help thinking: Could a terrorist today use this method to disperse anthrax or radioactive material to populated areas?
Other stories in the collection include how bones from a backyard excavation solved the mystery of a boy missing for over 30 years; DNA evidence that frees a man after ten years in prison on a wrongful rape charge; a supposed newly discovered Leonardo da Vinci painting analyzed for authenticity; specially trained dogs used to detect chemical substances; dog hair and carpet fibers which helped track down a serial killer; and whether the earliest known map of a part of North America, purchased by Yale University for one million dollars, is authentic or a fake.
Although the suggested grade level is listed as 6-8, this series is perfectly suitable for high school students and adults. A good introduction for younger students may be the dog story; certainly the serial killer and rapist stories may not be appropriate for younger or sensitive viewers.
Forensic Detectives is outstanding in its flexibility and teacher-friendly format. The mysteries are so genuinely intriguing and are presented in such an entertaining style that I predict students of all ages will have a hard time waiting until the story is over to begin discussing their own theories. Expect requests for repeated viewing! This video and lesson plan set is a gem for any classroom or home library.
Review posted on 8/29/2002
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