Forensic Technology
Description
Participants take a written test of basic forensic science theory to qualify as semifinalists. Semifinalists participate in a skills demonstration onsite.
2024-25 Skills
Be familiar with, and be able to demonstrate, the following forensic concepts:
Tool mark identification
Hair and fiber analysis
Forensic biometrics
SEE RESOURCES BELOW
Einstein MS, Team 2, 2024 1st Place
Event Resources
EVENT EXAMPLES
Click on the links below to view past entries for this event
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
YouTube video - Forensics Expert Examines 20 Crime Scene Investigations from Film & TV
In the Dark podcasts - This podcast did a thorough follow up on forensics in their first and second seasons. It is worth listening to, in part, because their work went to the United States Supreme Court.
https://wsp.wa.gov/forensics/crimlabs.htm - Washington State Patrol Crime Lab materials are particularly good.
https://kingcounty.gov/depts/health/examiner/role.aspx - King County Medical Examiners office.
https://fws.gov/policy/e1445fw3.pdf - Guide on evidence collection and handling that goes very in depth on things you will want to keep in mind while demonstrating your skill
There are excellent series on crime scene investigations, particularly as they relate the media. The series that are available for other topics where professionals discuss movies use of skills that they are familiar with are very well done.
Crime scene investigators and techniques
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRRYBe12FEA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OONfQcGd-uE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YHTz66Jq0Dg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJcNa2-jprs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_gZ7CKKP3MY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0jltioeaEyY
FBI Interrogation techniques
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KfkOSYpMToo
FBI Interrogation techniques with Chris Voss. He has a bunch of fascinating videos on YouTube.
Event Deadlines
January 23, 2025
Upload pdf file
Students will need their Participant ID number, and password, from their advisor. Only the team captain will be able to upload the file.
Students should upload a list of the tools they would need to demonstrate the following forensic science concepts, and a summary of the methods used:
Tool mark identification
Hair and fiber analysis
Forensic biometrics
All students will also take a sample Forensics test. Students will need their Participant ID number, and password, from their advisor.
Link to Forensics test
Students should complete the test without outside resources, in 1 hour. Each student should take the test individually.
April 2025
All students will take a forensic exam on Wednesday evening. Each student must bring a laptop that is capable of connecting to the wifi with a password. Students will have 1 hour for the exam. Individual scores will be averaged for team members.
Once tests are scored, a semifinalist list will be posted.
Semifinalists will compete in a forensic demonstration of skill on Thursday.
Washington TSA Rules
To compete, students must:
Belong to a currently affiliated TSA chapter
Be registered (by their TSA advisor) for competition by December 20, 2024 ($30)
Compete in the January 23, 2025 virtual competition (see individual event pages for details)
Be selected as a top competitor in their event(s) and invited to participate at State
Number of competitors is dependent on specific event
Qualifying competitor lists will be published by February 10, 2025
State Conference registration week February 24-28, 2025 (see state conference page for details)
At the state level, 3 teams of 2 people per chapter may compete.
