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 2027 Rules page of the Science Olympiad website. The official rules in the current Rules Manual take precedence. 

Resources & Links

Current Seasons Resources

• Coming soon!

Previous Seasons Resources

• Crime Busters & Forensics Webinar
• '26 Div C Chemistry Lab Equipment List
• How to Make a Simple Flame Loop
• National Institute of Standards & Technology (NIST) - Forensic Science Resources
• PhET Chemistry Simulations
• Core Lab Expectations/Competencies
• Forensics Classroom - Teacher Resources
• Conducting a flame test video series
  • Part 1
  • Part 2
  • Part 3
• Source for mass specs
• FBI Laboratory - Latent Fingerprint Unit
• Spinning the Elements: Wallace Carothers and the Nylon Legacy
• STEM Session Video with tips from previous competitors!

SO Store & Ward's Science Materials 

• Official Ward’s Science Science Olympiad Forensics Kit. Please note: A school account is required to purchase and ship regulated chemicals and lab materials.
• Texas Instruments offers an Educator Loan Program, allowing Science Olympiad teams to borrow equipment for practice. Learn more here.
• 2026 National Test Packet
• 2025 National Test Packet
• 2024 National Test Packet
• 2023 National Test Packet
• 2022 National Test Packet 

Practice Problems & Tests

• Practice Test - 2026 BullSO Invitational
• Practice Test - 2026 GullSO Invitational
• Practice Test - 2026 Northview Invitational
• Practice Test - 2026 Hawk & Hornet Invitational
• Practice Test - 2025 Bulls SO Invitational
• Practice Test - 2025 UW River Falls Border Battle
• Practice Test - 2025 Purdue Invitational
• Practice Test - 2025 USC Invitational
• Practice Test - 2025 Northview Invitational
• Practice Test - 2025 UT Austin Invitational
• Practice Test - 2025 Mira Loma Science Olympiad Invitational
• Practice Test - 2025 Mason High School Invitational
• Practice Test - 2024 Brown University Invitational
• Practice Test - 2024 Case Western Reserve University Invitational
• Practice Test - 2023 UGA Invitational
• Practice Test - 2023 Columbia University Invitational
• Practice Test - 2023 University of Michigan Invitational
• Practice Test - 2023 MIT Invitational
• Practice Test - 2023 Northmont Invitational
• Practice Test - 2023 Ohio State University Invitational
• Practice Test - 2023 Carolina Science Olympiad Invitational
• Practice Test - 2022 UT Austin Invitational
• Practice Test - 2022 Rickards Invitational
• Practice Test - 2022 Highlands Invitational
• Practice Test - 2022 BullSO Invitational
• Practice Test - 2022 National Invitational
• Practice Test - 2022 SOLVI Invitational
• Practice Test - 2022 MIT 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:

• Event Logistics Resource - coming soon!
• '26 Div C Chemistry Lab Equipment List

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)