"Crack the Code" Forensics Escape Rooms - 3 Set Bundle

"Crack the Code" is an escape room style activity for use in your forensics classroom or as part of any introductory forensics unit. It contains 27 puzzles in total (plus a handful of bonus puzzles), covering the basic concepts of physical evidence like Locard's exchange principle, individual and class characteristics, hairs and fibers, tool mark comparison, ridge pattern characteristics ("minutiae" like bifurcations, enclosures, and ridge endings), methods of developing latent prints, matching prints, blood typing, blood pattern analysis, and DNA fingerprinting. Students must find hidden keys, use decoder wheels, and discover hidden messages to "Crack the Codes" and catch the crooks! The puzzles contain short readings that help students to learn a brief history of forensics as well. Descriptions and solutions are provided for each puzzle. You can use all of the puzzles or choose just a select few in designing your own custom escape room to match your needs. Provided are some suggestions for how to run an escape room in your classroom- from using actual 3 or 4 digit locks with boxes to simple answer sheet style "locks" for a no-cost experience. These simple pdf downloads are a great way to experience your first escape room in your classroom. My students LOVE these! So will yours!

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If you liked season 1 of the Serial podcast, then you will LOVE Bear Brook. This podcast is on many “Top Podcasts of the Year” lists. Listen to episode 1 and I promise you'll be hooked!!! {https://www.bearbrookpodcast.com/}

My listening guide has students answer questions as they listen, then has them pause the podcast part way through and use prompts to further discuss the case. The "interrupted" format can be used in small group or whole class conversations, allowing students to interact and share ideas. Great for remote learning!

Episodes 1-7 are now available !!! The entire podcast in a single downloadable file.

Also see my video guide for the critically-acclaimed Chernobyl miniseries on HBO:

Another activity I love is this podcast activity (link below) that uses the popular Radiolab podcast to introduce the important but complex topic of the CRISPR gene editing technique. This question and answer worksheet has students follow along with the podcast, answering questions as they go, but "interrupts" the podcast to have students think more deeply about the ethics and implications of this powerful new technology. https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/CRISPR-Interrupted-Radiolab-Podcast-printable-worksheet-4329465

You may also be interested in my video guide for Three Identical Strangers- the fascinating account of triplets separated at birth and reunited in their 20’s.  A riveting real-life examination of the nature vs nurture debate. A must see! https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Three-Identical-Strangers-Interrupted-Film-Guide-and-Worksheet-with-Answers-4338684