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 2023 Rules page of the Science Olympiad website. The official rules in the current Rules Manual take precedence.
Resources & Links
- Conducting a flame test video series
- Source for mass specs
- American Chemistry Council - Plastics 101
- FBI Laboratory - Latent Fingerprint Unit
- Spinning the Elements: Wallace Carothers and the Nylon Legacy
- Recommended Lab Equipment List
- Forensics Resources from MY SO
- STEM Session Video with tips from previous competitors!
SO Store & Ward's Science Materials
- New! 2023 Forensics Starter Pack
- Official Ward's Science Science Olympiad kit for Forensics - labware & chemicals - must have a school account for regulated chemical shipping
- 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 Columbia University Invitational
- New! Practice Test - 2023 University of Michigan Invitational
- New! Practice Test - 2023 MIT Invitational
- New! Practice Test - 2023 Northmont Invitational
- New! Practice Test - 2023 Ohio State University Invitational
- New! Practice Test - 2023 Carolina Science Olympiad 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 SOLVI Invitational
- Practice Test - 2022 MIT Invitational
- Practice Test - 2022 Northwestern Invitational
- Practice Test - 2022 UChicago Invitational
- Practice Test - 2021 UT Austin Invitational
- Practice Test - 2021 BirdSO 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, Forensics 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)
