Being a Forensic Scientist

Last week the Year 5 and 6 Science Club were Crime Scene Investigators when they had to identify suspicious white powders.

They found out that Forensic Scientists look at evidence from a crime scene and test it.

The students were given a mystery powder and had to work out what it was. They tested it with iodine to see if it changed colour. Then they added vinegar to it to see if it bubbled or not. Finally they tested it with indicator paper to see what colour the paper changed.

They then used a chart and their evidence to work out what the powder was. Mostly they got it right.

This picture shows iodine being added to the powder. If the powder was made of starch it would turn the iodine black.