Chapter 16
Casts and Impressions
Embedded Files
End of Chapter Activities
End of Chapter Activities
Below you will find case studies and case file activities students may complete at the end of the chapter. I have included the "Scenario" statements provided in the student textbook for each activity. For cases that do not list a "Scenario" or for scenarios that are extensive, I have provided a description of objectives instead. These "Case Files" will be used to guide each chapter.
Students will engage in many other activities provided by the textbook resource and they will access all activities through the Schoology platform.
Case Studies
Case Studies
Theodore “Ted” Bundy (1978)
Theodore “Ted” Bundy (1978)
Lemuel Smith (1983)
Lemuel Smith (1983)
Tire Evidence Solves a Murder (1976)
Tire Evidence Solves a Murder (1976)
O. J. Simpson Case (1994)
O. J. Simpson Case (1994)
Case Files
Case Files
Forensic Science Investigation Activities
Making a Plaster of Paris Cast
Making a Plaster of Paris Cast
Shoeprints and other impressions made by suspects can often provide evidence that help solve a crime. In addition to photographing the shoe or tire print, investigators produce a cast of the print. In this activity, you will make a plaster of Paris cast of an impression.
Shoe Size, Foot Size, and Height
Shoe Size, Foot Size, and Height
Shoe prints left at a crime scene have been photographed, and casts have been made of the impressions. Is it possible to estimate the suspect’s height based on shoe size? In this activity, you will compare and contrast shoe size and height data from your class and explore the relationships between shoe size, foot size, and height.
Tire Impressions and Analysis
Tire Impressions and Analysis
Mailboxes were being knocked down and vandalized on Oak Hill Drive. Bicycle tire tracks were identified near all the damaged mailboxes. Two neighborhood teenagers were on the list of suspects. Tread impressions were made from their bike tires and compared with tread impressions found at the sites of vandalism. Determine whether the tread impressions made at the crime scene are consistent with the treads of the bicycles.
Vehicle Identification
Vehicle Identification
An eyewitness said that a young, male driver in a blue car ran a stop sign, striking an oncoming car in the middle of the intersection. It appeared that the young man was talking on his cell phone at the time of the incident. Brakes were applied too late, and the vehicle crashed into another car. In a panic, the young driver of the blue car quickly backed up, made a U-turn, and left the scene of the accident. When the police arrived, the blue car was gone. All that was left at the crime scene were tire marks and the other damaged car. The CSIs took photographs and began diagramming and photographing the crime scene. All tire marks were carefully measured and documented. From the tire and tread marks, the investigators obtained information about the accident and information that could be used to identify the car that drove away.
The police located three cars that fit the description provided by eyewitnesses. Based on the tire marks left at the accident and information obtained from the three cars, can any of the suspects’ cars be excluded or included?
Dental Impressions
Dental Impressions
By the end of this activity, you will be able to:
Create your own plastic foam dental impression.
Produce a transparency film impression of the bite marks from your own dental impression or from the bite marks from the professional dental castings.
Analyze images of bite marks on a victim and a suspect’s dental impressions to determine if the suspect can be either included or excluded.
Bertino, A. J., & Bertino, P. (2020). Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations (Forensic Science, Fundamentals and Investigations) (3rd ed.). Cengage Learning.
Possible Teacher Resources
Possible Teacher Resources
Report abuse