Forensics

Welcome to Forensics! In this event, given a scenario and some possible suspects, students will perform a series of tests. These tests, along with other evidence or test results, 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 2022 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
• FBI Laboratory - Latent Fingerprint Unit
• Spinning the Elements: Wallace Carothers and the Nylon Legacy
• Recommended Lab Equipment List

SO Store & Ward's Science Materials 

• Forensics Training CD
• Official Ward's Science Science Olympiad kit for Forensics - labware & chemicals - must have a school account for regulated chemical shipping
• 2022 National Test Packet
• 2021 National Test Packet
• 2020 National Test Packet
• 2019 National Test Packet
• 2018 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

• Practice Test - 2021 UT Austin Invitational
• Practice Test - 2021 BirdSO Invitational
• Practice Test - 2022 National Invitational
• Practice Test - 2022 SOLVI Invitational
• Practice Test - 2022 MIT Invitational
• Practice Test - 2022 Northwestern Invitational
• Practice Test - 2022 UChicago Invitational
• 2009 National Tournament Forensics Test Scene
• 2009 National Tournament Forensics Test Suspect Interview Sheet
• 2009 National Tournament Forensics Test Key

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 01/05/22 - made a minor edit to Food Science and added the updated ceiling height modifiers for the Flight events) Contains information for the 2022 Event Slate as well as information concerning COVID-19 precautions and Satellite and mini SO tournament formats!

Career Connections 

• 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)