Week+2+Contact+Traces+Fibres

=**Weekly Content**= What if you found a fibre on a dead body at a crime scene, would you be able to use tell where it came from?

This week we will start investigating contact traces from a crime scene by looking at fibres. Fibres can be broadly categorized into **synthetic** or **natural** fibres each with their own specific characteristics. We will learn how to categorize and identify fibres based on their characteristics which is an important skill in forensic science.

=Practical= Different types of fibres have different observable characteristics that can be useful in forensic investigations. However, for fibre evidence to be useful in a crime scene investigation, scientists must be able to narrow down its origin to one or two sources. During this practical you will use a microscope and the flame test to research the characteristics of various types of fibres and use that information, as well as your new forensic skills, to identify unknown fibres.

=Reading and Other Media= This video is a good demonstration of how to perform a burn test on different fibres. Watch carefully and see if you got similar results in the practical. media type="youtube" key="kb4tCcnA6jo" height="315" width="420" align="center"

=Homework=
 * 1) Complete the Webquest questions and table comparing the properties of various fibres (from Tuesday's lesson).
 * 2) Complete the questions from this weeks practical.
 * 3) Write a brief description of a criminal case in which fibres were used as important forensic evidence?

=Student Content= Got something you would like to add? A video, webpage, or comment you would like to make. Go for it!

Ted Bundy was a kidnapper, rapist serial killer and necrophile. Ted confessed to a confirmed 30 cases of homicide which led to his eventual death by electric chair. Forensic evidence played a huge part in the conviction of ted Bundy, after eluding the clutches of authorities for years during the 1970s where he was traced back to the attempted murder, where he left a face mask which would later be tracked back to him. Later evidence of blood splatters, hair samples and smudged finger prints where an extremely important part in the case of Ted Bundy. Without the aid of forensic evidence it would have been extremely difficult to attach ted to the murders of 30 people, and without the input of forensic science, ted would have almost certainly added to his disturbing tally. Ted Bundy died in January in Raiford state prison, Florida by the electric chair at approximately 7.16 a.m.
 * Ted Bundy (contributed by Alex)**