Crime Busters
Welcome to Crime Busters! In this event, given a scenario, a collection of evidence, and possible suspects, students will perform a series of tests. The test results along with other evidence will be used to solve a crime.
The information below should not be interpreted as an extension of the rules. You can find free online copies of the current rules for download on the 2023 Rules page of the Science Olympiad website. The official rules in the current Rules Manual take precedence. This event is generously supported by Ward's Science.
Resources & Links
- American Chemistry Council - Plastics 101
- Spinning the Elements: Wallace Carothers and the Nylon Legacy
- Recommended Lab Equipment List
- Crime Busters Resources from MY SO
- STEM Session Video with tips from previous competitors!
SO Store & Ward's Science Materials
- New! 2023 Crime Busters Starter Pack
- Crime Busters Manual
- Official Ward's Science Science Olympiad Kit for Crime Busters - must have a school account for regulated chemical shipping
- Official Ward's Science Science Olympiad Kit for Lab Equipment
- 2023 National Test Packet
- 2022 National Test Packet
- 2021 National Test Packet
- 2020 National Test Packet
- 2019 National Test Packet
Texas Instruments makes material available to Science Olympiad teams through their Educator Loan program. Teams interested in borrowing equipment to practice with learn more about this program here.
Practice Problems & Tests
- New! Practice Test - 2023 Sierra Vista Invitational
- New! Practice Test - 2023 University of Michigan Invitational
- New! Practice Test - 2023 University of Chicago Invitational
- New! Practice Test - 2022 UT Austin Invitational
- New! Practice Test - 2022 Rickards Invitational
- New! Practice Test - 2022 Highlands Invitational
- New! Practice Test - 2022 BullSO Invitational
- Practice Test - 2022 National Invitational
- Practice Test - 2022 UChicago Invitational
- Practice Test - 2021 UT Austin Invitational
- Practice Test - 2021 Troy High School Invitational
- Practice Test - 2021 BirdSO Invitational
Event Supervisor Resources
In addition to the resources on the Event Supervisors page, Crime Busters Event Supervisors should be sure to use the following resources:
- Recommended Lab Equipment List
- Event Logistics Manual (Updated 12/02/22 to fix an error with regard to resources allowed for Environmental Chemistry)
Career Connections
- STEM Session with SO Alum Mark Tourre of the US Army Criminal Investigations Lab
- CareerOneStop - Forensic Science Technicians Career Video
- STEM Session on Forensics
- Law, Public Safety, Corrections and Security Career Cluster Information
- US Bureau of Labor Statistics - Forensic Science Technicians
- How do Analytical Chemists Help Our World? (with Thermo Fisher Scientist, Kristina Rucker)
