Crime Scene

Lab
Can you solve the mystery?
 A crime has been committed!
The police investigated the scene and found
a mysterious white powder on the ground and
victim. They were able to find nearby several
This morning a jogger Suspects that also had a similar white powder
discovered a murder victim! on them
It is up to you!
• As a crime lab
technician, it is your
job to test and
analyze the results
to determine if you
can use the mystery
white powder to
match a suspect to
the crime scene.
 How do you do this?
1. You compare the results of tests.
2. Some tests will result in a chemical reaction!
3. Others will only involve a physical change or mixing of substances.
4. First you will test some known substances to see what their
properties are.
5. Then you will compare these results to the results of the crime
scene and suspect samples.
6. If the results are identical between a known sample, the crime
scene & a suspect you can conclude that they are the same thing.
7. If this is the case, then you can say that a suspect has been
matched to the crime scene and is probably guilty!
8. If you cannot match results, then that suspect is probably not
connected to the crime scene and is probably innocent!
9. But you may have to interpret imperfect results! So be prepared to
make an inference…
 Known Substance tests:
Each known substance is a white powder that appears to be identical to the
Samples collected from the crime scene and the suspects.
Water Vinegar Iodine Water Vinegar Iodine

For each test, describe the

reaction you observe with one
or more of the following
descriptions:
“No Change”

“Dissolved”
Look for the white color to disappear

“Fizzed”

“Turned (name the color)”

Corn Starch Samples Baking Soda Samples

 Known Substance tests:
Each known substance is a white powder that appears to be identical to the
Samples collected from the crime scene and the suspects.
Water Vinegar Iodine Water Vinegar Iodine

For each test, describe the

reaction you observe with one
or more of the following
descriptions:

“No Change”

“Dissolved”

“Fizzed”

“Turned (name the color)”

Baking Powder Samples Powdered Sugar Samples

 Mystery Substance tests:
Water Vinegar Iodine Water Vinegar Iodine Water Vinegar Iodine

Each of these samples were collected from the indicated location. The white
powders appear to be identical to each other. See if you can match reactions
to the known substances and then match a suspect to the crime scene.

Crime Scene Samples Suspect A Samples Suspect B Samples