Everywhere you go, you leave behind clues: fingerprints on your juice glass, DNA on your toothbrush, bits of fabric on your favorite chair, and footprints in your yard. Criminals leave behind clues, too. Forensic scientists study those clues to help law enforcement officers solve crimes.
Forensics is all about using science to answer questions about crimes (and other things that have happened). In this Adventure, you will practice some of the skills of a forensic scientist.
You will analyze a fingerprint, a footprint, the contents of ink, and some mysterious white powder. Grab your magnifying glass and start detecting!
Safety MomentPrior to any activity, use the BSA SAFE Checklist to ensure the safety of all those involved.
All participants in official BSA Scouting activities should become familiar with the Guide to Safe Scouting and applicable program literature or manuals.
Be aware of state or local government regulations that supersede BSA practices, policies, and guidelines.
To assist in the safe delivery of the program you may find specific safety items that are related to requirements for the Adventure.
Before conducting a craft activity, review the Craft Tips video (2 minutes 34 seconds.)
Explore the term “forensics” and how it is used to help solve crimes.
Analyze your fingerprints.
Make a shoe imprint.
Do an analysis of four different substances: salt, sugar, baking soda and cornstarch.
Learn about chromatography and how it is used in solving crimes.
Find out how officers collect evidence.
Explore the term “forensics” and how it is used to help solve crimes.
Cub Scouts become investigators by observing and analyzing the scene to determine who ate the cookie.
Cub Scouts learn from an expert more about how forensics is used to help solve crimes.
Analyze your fingerprints.
Cub Scouts discover that even if they can’t see their fingerprint with their naked eye, they are still there.
Cub Scouts learn the different patterns in fingerprints and analyze their own fingerprints.
Make a shoe imprint.
Cub Scout investigate how their shoe can leave a print.
Cub Scout investigate how their shoe can leave a print in the dirt.
Do an analysis of four different substances: salt, sugar, baking soda and cornstarch.
Cub Scouts learn how to test for various substances.
Learn about chromatography and how it is used in solving crimes.
Cub Scout learn that not all chemicals are what they appear to be.
Find out how officers collect evidence.
Cub Scouts learn how evidence is collected.
Director, Global Security Innovative
Strategies
Bray Barnes is a recipient of the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award, Silver
Beaver, Silver Antelope, Silver Buffalo, and Learning for Life Distinguished
Service Award. He received the Messengers of Peace Hero award from
the royal family of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and he’s a life member of
the 101st Airborne Association and Vietnam Veterans Association. Barnes
serves as a senior fellow for the Global Federation of Competitiveness
Councils, a nonpartisan network of corporate CEOs, university presidents, and
national laboratory directors. He has also served as a senior executive for the
U.S. Department of Homeland Security, leading the first-responder program
and has two U.S. presidential appointments
Managing Member Calje
David Alexander is a Baden-Powell Fellow, Summit Bechtel Reserve philanthropist, and recipient of the Silver Buffalo and Distinguished Eagle Scout Award. He is the founder of Caljet, one of the largest independent motor fuels terminals in the U.S. He has served the Arizona Petroleum Marketers Association, Teen Lifeline, and American Heart Association. A triathlete who has completed hundreds of races, Alexander has also mentored the women’s triathlon team at Arizona State University.
President, CEO & Managing Director
Stonetex Oil Corp.
Glenn Adams is a recipient of the Silver Beaver, Silver Antelope, Silver Buffalo, and Distinguished Eagle Scout Award. He is the former president of the National Eagle Scout Association and established the Glenn A. and Melinda W. Adams National Eagle Scout Service Project of the Year Award. He has more than 40 years of experience in the oil, gas, and energy fields, including serving as a president, owner, and CEO. Adams has also received multiple service awards from the Texas Alliance of Energy Producers.
