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L6 Cs Research Packet
L6 Cs Research Packet
Introduction
In this case study you will do the work of a forensic meteorologist, and attempt to determine the
meteorological conditions that occurred prior to an accident that is suspected of being related to
the weather. You will be given a set of facts regarding a slip-and-fall case, and a set of weather
data from a nearby weather station around the time of the alleged accident (Table 1). You are
asked to take all that you have learned about the weather so far — concepts such as phase
changes of water, the freezing temperature, insolation, and exposure — and apply each of them
to the weather data provided. This bit of work is about as close as you will come to a real world
case study. As you will see, what you will come up with is not the right answer, but the best
answer based upon the available data.
Atmospheric Science 1050: Introductory Meteorology 3
CASE STUDY | Forensic Meteorology: A Simple Case of Slip-and-Fall?
3. Research
How did the conditions provided in Table 1 affect the weather? Use the following questions as a
starting point for your research:
• What weather conditions were recorded for the day in question?
• How might the location of the store (i.e., middle of the continent) and the time of year
affect the conditions you observed?
• Do you have enough information to make a decision? If not, what information is still
needed?
• How does the police report influence your opinion?
• With or without ice, could the accident have been avoided? How?
• Try reviewing the textbook first, but also do research at the library, online, or
elsewhere. If you use the Internet for research, it is best to stick to addresses ending
in .gov, and .edu. Specifically, the following websites might be helpful:
Federal Coordinator for Meteorological Services and Supporting Research, Federal
Standard for Siting Meteorological Sensors at Airports
Federal Meteorological Handbook No. 1, Surface Weather Observations and Reports
NOAA's National Weather Service, Cooperative Observer Program
Atmospheric Science 1050: Introductory Meteorology 4
CASE STUDY | Forensic Meteorology: A Simple Case of Slip-and-Fall?
4. Write a Recommendation
In your recommendation to the attorney who has retained your services, you must clearly decide
whether or not Supergrocermart is liable for the customer’s accident and provide solid
reasoning to support your decision. Be sure to write your thought process by thoroughly
explaining, using scientific evidence and reasoning, how you reached your conclusion.
5. Assignment Format
• 1-inch margins
• one single-spaced paragraph (approximately 100–150 words)
• 12-point font size, Times New Roman, Arial, or similar font
• 1 document to upload (.doc, .docx, .txt, or .pdf format)
Atmospheric Science 1050: Introductory Meteorology 5
CASE STUDY | Forensic Meteorology: A Simple Case of Slip-and-Fall?
Grade
6. Case Study Grading Criteria
Your answer consistently does all or almost all of the following:
1. accurately interprets the evidence, statements, graphics, etc. A
2. fully justifies using scientific reasoning and terminology (Hint: Look to the
questions you are asked to consider throughout the case study for ideas (35.6–40 points)
on what concepts you should cover in your reasoning.)
3. contains few or no grammatical and spelling errors
Your answer does most or many of the following:
1. accurately interprets the evidence, statements, graphics, etc., but there B
may be a few areas needing further development
2. adequately justifies using scientific reasoning and terminology, but there (31.6–35.5
may be a few areas needing further development points)
3. may contain a few grammatical and spelling errors, but nothing detracts
from the overall understanding
Your answer does most or many of the following:
C
1. misinterprets evidence, statements, graphics, etc.
2. insufficiently justifies or fails to use scientific reasoning and terminology (27.6–31.5
3. may contain multiple grammatical and spelling errors, which may or may points)
not detract from the overall understanding
Your answer consistently does all or almost all of the following:
D-F
1. misinterprets evidence, statements, graphics, etc.
2. poorly justifies or fails to use scientific reasoning and terminology (0–24.5 points)
3. contains multiple grammatical and spelling errors, which detracts from
the overall understanding