Forensic Mathematics – Using Math to Solve Mysteries

This mathematics unit designed for middle school students in
the 7th and 8th grade examines the use of data and
statistics to complete forensics investigations to solve mysteries of murder
and mayhem. Over the course of five weeks students will learn to predict and
infer information from data, determine their own fingerprint type with the help
of the State Police, determine how probability can limit choices, use logical
reasoning skills, make scaled drawings, interpret a scatter plot, draw a line
of best fit, identify patterns and solve complex problems. Students will
determine which measurements of the body can be used to predict heights, learn
about the patterns found in fingerprints, use a web 2.0 tool to make a scale
model of the crime scene, and use the FBI website to learn about crime in the
United States and present that information to the group. The final activity has
students investigating a crime scene and using their new mathematical knowledge
to determine the perpetrator. Students will present their arguments in a
glogster to the local police.