KS2 KS3 KS4 Forensic Science – Case of the Bullets and Chickens (Firearm Analysis)

KS2, KS3, KS4, Forensic Science, Firearm Analysis, Lesson, Lab, Activities, In Person Learning, Google

Crime Scenario:

“Out in the country, it is not uncommon to hear gunfire and ‘tings’ from kids shooting at targets. But today, the gunfire seemed quite close, so close that it wasn’t ‘tings’ that Mr. Walker heard but ‘whomps’ that were hitting his chicken coop! Feathers were flying and the chickens were scattering like crazy. Once Mr. Walker corralled all the chickens and they calmed down, he called the police to file a complaint even though no chickens were harmed. The police collected 8 bullets from the chicken coop and surrounding area. The bullets were marked into evidence as #1-8. Witnesses in the area saw several boys running away and identified Sammy Madison as one of the boys. Police went to question Sammy and ask for permission to search for evidence. Sammy’s parents were adamant that it couldn’t have been him because he was a good kid and wouldn’t do such a thing. Police located an area with a shooting target behind the Madison. The police recovered a fired bullet from the tree with the target, marked as #9, to compare to the bullets recovered from Mr. Walker’s residence. The police have asked the crime lab to compare all the evidence to determine if it is possible that Sammy and/or a firearm belonging to the family was involved.”

NOTE: I used this lesson with 7th and 8th graders but it could be leveled up or down.

Included:

Firearms Notes Presentation

Firearms Notes Presentation with Speaker Notes PDF

Firearms Notes Student Notes Handout

Bullet Card Comparison Activity

Bullet Card Comparison Activity Results Student Handout

Bullet Measurements Presentation and Group Practice

Bullet Measurement Presentation and Group Practice with Speaker Notes PDF

Bullet Measurements Presentation and Group Practice Student Notes Handout

Bullet Measurements Practice Student Handout

Bullet Measurements Practice Student Handout Answer Key

Crime Lab Bullet Evidence File

Walker Complaint Evidence Results Student Worksheet

Walker Complaint Evidence Results Answer Key