Presentation of Learning: iLEAD Law Enforcement Academy of Detectives (iLEAD)

People of all ages enjoy solving mysteries and crimes—even if it is just on TV or in books. Last spring, the Acton Library keyed into this desire and invited middle and high school learners to train as detectives and to solve crimes using various forensic techniques, such as fingerprint analysis, chromatography, fiber analysis, and blood typing.

The iLEAD Law Enforcement Academy of Detectives (iLEAD) welcomed its newly recruited investigators to Acton headquarters to begin their training as detectives. On the first day, the recruits went straight to work investigating the death of Fred Waldorf as well as the burglary of the jewelry store Jubilee Jewels. The learners questioned suspects and processed fingerprints from the scenes. They also learned how to detect latent fingerprints on non-porous surfaces with a technique called super glue fuming or cyanoacrylate fuming.

The second day of training brought a shock: two new deaths to investigate. The new detectives investigated both and determined that one of the deaths was a possible homicide but needed to question more witnesses. They confirmed the second death was clearly a homicide and after some super sleuthing were able to issue arrest warrants for their suspects. The investigation into the burglary of Jubilee Jewels continued with the discovery of blood at the crime scene and learners had the opportunity to analyze the suspects’ blood types to narrow down their suspects and find the guilty parties.

On their last day of training and after much investigative work, detectives got to the bottom of the burglary of Jubilee Jewels. They processed evidence using fiber analysis and chromatography—a technique that separates a mixture into its various components. When they had completed all their lab work and investigation, they were able to determine who had committed this heinous crime.

This three-day learning experience was a big hit with the learners who attended and would make for some great family learning and fun. Aside from chemistry and other science skills, crime scene investigation also involves asking good questions and making inferences. Give it a try!

Try out this Royal Society of Chemistry lesson with your learner(s):

“A famous painting has been stolen from the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge. The thief left a note at the scene mocking the police and saying they plan to strike again. Use chromatography to discover which black pen was used in the crime, and find the culprit.” Handout

More resources to explore

Crime Scene Lesson options TPT

Fiber Analysis activities

Fingerprint analysis lessons

Blood Type analysis activities