BELL WORK

Pick up the Papers on the Back Counter Find your seat Work on Crime Puzzle #4

CRIME PUZZLE #4

Why does Mr. Hudson’s chauffeur think he’s bound for prison?

OBSERVATION, REMEMBERING, & RECORDINGWhat skills are most important in solving crimes?

I CAN… Define observation and perception Describe what changes occur in the

brain during observation Describe some of the problems in making

good observations Relate observation skills to their use in

forensic science Use observation skills to make good

observations during events

HOW GOOD ARE YOUR OBSERVATION SKILLS?

OBSERVE THE PICTURE FOR 15 SECONDS. LOOK AT EVERYTHING THAT YOU THINK MIGHT BE IMPORTANT.

#1

WHAT DO YOU REMEMBER How many people were in the bank? What time was it? What is the date? What’s on the sign? What is the man at the front of the line

handing the teller? What’s on the man’s hat? What is the woman with the little girl

wearing?

TAKING A SECOND LOOK AT THE PICTURE

#1

DISCUSSION What is observation?

WHAT IS OBSERVATION? Observations

Things that you can see but also feel, taste, smell, or hear

Items you need to note carefully

Our perceptions (how we interpret information received from the senses) limit what we observe

It is an active process that takes training to develop

WHAT IS NOT OBSERVATION?

Casually watching what happens

“You see but you do not observe.”--Sherlock Holmes

12OBSERVE THE PHOTOGRAPH FOR 20 SECONDS. NOTE THE DETAILS.

#2

HOW WELL DID YOU OBSERVE? How many women are in the photograph? How many of the women are wearing

hats? How many women are wearing ties? How many women have on boots? How many vehicles are shown in the

picture?

14HOW WELL DID YOU DO?

#2

DISCUSSION In the two examples , what types of details did you

find easy to remember?

What types of details did you find hard to remember?

Which was easier, doing things on your own or working as a group? Why?

How many details about the pictures do you think you could remember by the end of the day? Tomorrow? Next week?

FUNCTIONAL AREAS OF THE BRAINS

HOW OUR BRAIN PROCESSES INFORMATION

Observation• Information from our senses

What We Pay Attention to• Filter out some information

Perception• Fill in gaps from previous knowledge and enriches with

detail what we see, hear, feel, taste, and touch

Short Term Memory• Recently stored information

Long Term Memory• Information that remains in memory – needs

rehearsed & practiced to retain.

18

HOW TO BE A GOOD OBSERVER Observe systematically Do not pay attention to only what you

think is important Make a conscious effort to pay attention

to all the details in your surroundings. Look for patterns and make connections. Do not assume that later on you will be

able to remember everything.

SCENE OF A CRIME -- OBSERVE FOR 30 SECONDS – SKETCH THE SCENE

From: www.shodor.org/succeed/curriculum/FOR/observation.html

#3

HOW WELL DID YOU OBSERVE? Is this a business or residential area? How many vehicles are parked on the sides

of the road? What color is the pickup truck driving in the

road? Any minivans around? How many? What does the blue sign say? What's the speed limit? Are there any pedestrians on the road?

WHAT TO DO TONIGHT

Read pages 3-9 and do the questions listed in your handout.

BELL WORK

Pick up new note sheet on the back counter.

Read pages 3-9 and do the questions listed in your handout.

I CAN… Define observation and perception Describe what changes occur in the brain

during observation Describe some of the problems in

making good observations Relate observation skills to their use in

forensic science Use observation skills to make good

observations during events

HOW WELL DID YOU DO?From: www.shodor.org/succeed/curriculum/FOR/observation.html

#3

RECORDING INFORMATION

Puts observations in long-term memory

Helps you to remember your observations over a long period of time

Keeps the details fresh in your mind

WAYS TO RECORD

Write it down—take notes

Photograph or videotape

Make an audio recording

Sketch or draw maps of scene

HOW WELL DO OTHERS OBSERVE

Break into 2 person teams One person from each group go over to

Mrs. Moran’s room The other person will observe the picture,

feel free to take some notes to help you remember.

OBSERVE FOR 60 SECONDS – REMEMBER YOU ARE GOING TO DESCRIBE THIS TO YOUR TEAMMATEwww.shodor.org/succeed/curriculum/FOR/observation.html

#4

HOW WELL DO OTHERS OBSERVE

Group from Mrs. Moran’s room: Ask questions about what your teammate observed

All the investigators will then have 10 minutes to confer and reconstruct the scene on the whiteboard from the description they got from their partner – no help from the observers at this point

WHAT TO DO TONIGHT

Read over directions for lab #2 Generate 3 ideas for crime scenario you can

act out for Lab #2. Finish the reading and questions if you

haven’t got them completed

BELL WORK

Work on lab scenarios Generate 3 ideas for crime scenario you

can act out for Lab #2.

I CAN… Define observation and perception Describe what changes occur in the brain

during observation Describe some of the problems in

making good observations Relate observation skills to their use in

forensic science Use observation skills to make good

observations during events

HOW WELL DOES YOUR DESCRIPTION MATCH THE SCENE?www.shodor.org/succeed/curriculum/FOR/observation.html

#4

DISCUSSION Did everyone answer the questions

correctly?   If everyone viewed the same photograph,

list some possible reasons why your answers differed.

Did your ability to see more detail and answer more questions correctly improve with practice? Explain your answer. 

Do you consider yourself a good observer?  

DISCUSSION

Does observation only involve sight and not the other senses?

PRACTICE MAKING OBSERVATIONS WITHOUT SIGHT

You will get 1 minute with each box. Then you will switch with another person.

You need to determine what is in each box based on observations you made using your other senses

You are not permitted to open the boxes. Write your hypotheses on your paper. Repeat until you have investigated three boxes Answer the questions on your handout.

37

WHAT IS OBSERVATION? What assumptions can you make about

this scene? How might those assumptions be wrong?

#5

HOW MUCH CAN WE TRUST OUR SENSES?

BLIND SPOT Take a blank sheet of paper Place open hand in the middle of the

sheet. To the right side of hand make a small

dark cross To the left side of hand make a small dark

dot

BLIND SPOT Hold left hand over eye, hold paper at

arm’s length Stare at dot on the left with the right eye

only. (Both items visible) Now move paper slowly towards you and

see what happens Repeat with right eye covered, and stare

at cross with left eye

SOMETHING TO DISCUSS What happened as you moved the paper

towards you? Anything strange? Why do you think this happened?

LAB #2: THAT’S MY STORY AND I’M STICKING TO IT

You and your classmates will enact different crimes. Develop a skit for your crime scenario that you will perform for the class. Your teacher will have a group of items you may use to simulate these crimes or you may bring items in from home as long as they are school appropriate. If in doubt, ask your teacher first.

SOMETHING TO DISCUSS Where was the sun earlier today? Where will it be later today? How did it get from the morning point to

the afternoon point? What is the size of a full moon just above

the horizon compared to its size straight overhead?

OTHER ILLUSIONS IN NATURE In your group, list as many other illusions

in nature as you can Pick a spokesperson to share your list with

the rest of the class.

WHAT DO YOU SEE?

ARE THE TABLES THE SAME SIZE AND SHAPE?

WHAT DO YOU SEE?

WHAT IS HAPPENING IN THIS PICTURE?

ILLUSIONS DON’T HAPPEN JUST WITH SIGHT

All your senses can be fooled in some way or another

TWO IDENTICAL BALLS?Send one person from each group

forward to take a close look at the two balls

In your group, write whether you think the balls are identical and what you think will happen

Watch the demonstrationDiscuss the results as a class

DISCUSSION With all these limitations is observation

still useful?

How can we get around those limitations?

53

HOW TO BE A GOOD OBSERVER Watch for potential illusions. Turn off filters Keep in mind that memory is faulty. Remember that our brains tend to

automatically fill in gaps in our perceptions.

Remember that eyewitness accounts and your own thinking can include prejudices.

BELL WORK

Work on lab scenarios Review vocabulary and notes. Make sure

to note any questions you have and ask them in class tomorrow.

I CAN… Define observation and perception Describe what changes occur in the brain

during observation Describe some of the problems in

making good observations Relate observation skills to their use in

forensic science Use observation skills to make good

observations during events

WHAT TO DO TONIGHT Review notes and vocabulary. Read pages 3-9 and do the questions

listed in your handout if you didn’t get it done last night.

Work on scenario for observation lab.

TOOLS USED TO ENHANCE OBSERVATIONS

Cameras, video recorders… record observations so they can be viewed again.

Microscopes provide fast, low-cost, and definitive results whether it’s simple hand-lenses or more the more powerful types found in labs

Tools that use other forms of electromagnetic radiation like ultraviolet and infrared can reveal hidden evidence our eyes can’t see

LAB #2: THAT’S MY STORY AND I’M STICKING TO IT

You and your classmates will enact different crimes. Develop a skit for your crime scenario that you will perform for the class. Your teacher will have a group of items you may use to simulate these crimes or you may bring items in from home as long as they are school appropriate. If in doubt, ask your teacher first.

BELL WORK

Turn in your questions from the reading for some feedback.

Work on scenario for observation lab with your group.

I CAN… Define observation and perception Describe what changes occur in the brain

during observation Describe some of the problems in making

good observations Relate observation skills to their use

in forensic science Use observation skills to make good

observations during events

HOW DOES OBSERVATION RELATE TO FORENSIC SCIENCE?

OBSERVE FOR 15 SECONDS

#6

YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES TO ANSWER AS MANY QUESTIONS AS YOU CAN

At what location was the photograph taken?  How many cars are pictured?  What color are the cars?   What types of offices are located in the

building?   How many small trees are in the picture?   The photograph was taken in New York

State during which season?   How many people are in the photograph?

OBSERVE FOR 15 SECONDS

#7

YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES TO ANSWER AS MANY QUESTIONS AS YOU CAN

What is pictured in Photograph 2?  Describe the shape of the object pictured.  What are the colors of the object?  What color edged the top of the object?  Upon what is the object displayed?  Describe or sketch the design on the

object.  What is the approximate size of the object?

OBSERVE FOR 15 SECONDS

#8

How many people are in Photograph 3?  What is the sex of the person in the picture?  What is the approximate age of the person in the photograph?  What color is the person’s hair?  Does the person have long hair or short hair?  Does the person have any distinguishing features? Glasses? Can you describe the person’s clothing? Is the person wearing any jewelry? If so, describe it.  Can you describe where the picture was taken?  Based on evidence in the photograph, can you form a hypothesis

about the person’s occupation?  Is it possible to identify the interests of the person based on

evidence in the room?

YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES TO ANSWER AS MANY QUESTIONS AS YOU CAN

DISCUSSION Is your ability to see more detail and

answer more questions correctly improving with practice? Explain your answer.  

69

OBSERVATIONS IN FORENSICS Study situations. Find clues in ordinary details. Work backwards from the evidence to

what led up to the crime. Be patient. Practice.

IMPORTANCE OF OBSERVATION

Basis for all crime scene investigation

Finding the facts without bias (driven by your own emotions or ideas)

Allows you to find clues or tail a suspect

Creates in mind images of what a person sees which can be stored in order for the person to remember later

WHY DO YOU NEED TO REMEMBER YOUR OBSERVATIONS?

To testify in court where you must know the details months after you made your observations

Inadequate information and details will allow a criminal to get off

WHAT DO YOU NEED TO REMEMBER?

You want to describe: Who was involved? What happened? When did it take place? Where did it take

place? How did it happen? Anything unusual or

out of the ordinary

73

HOW TO BE A GOOD OBSERVER On a crime scene you will not know what will turn

out to be important. Start at one part of a crime scene and run your

eyes slowly over every space. Slowly look at every part of a piece of evidence. Leave the final interpretation of data until later The more information obtained, the better will be

the interpretations. It is important to document as much information

as possible.

LAB #2: THAT’S MY STORY AND I’M STICKING TO IT

You and your classmates will enact different crimes. Develop a skit for your crime scenario that you will perform for the class. Your teacher will have a group of items you may use to simulate these crimes or you may bring items in from home as long as they are school appropriate. If in doubt, ask your teacher first.

WHAT TO DO TONIGHT

Review your notes and vocabulary. Finalize your scenarios Don’t forget to bring in your props.

BELL WORK

Finalize scenario for observation lab with your group.

I CAN… Define observation and perception Describe what changes occur in the brain

during observation Describe some of the problems in making

good observations Relate observation skills to their use in

forensic science Use observation skills to make good

observations during events

LAB #2: THAT’S MY STORY AND I’M STICKING TO IT

Position yourself in an area where you can see the location where the crime will take place.

Place your pencil and Crime Report Sheet on the floor beside your desk or chair.

Mentally record the information as you witness each crime. Make use of you all your senses during this process.

On the Crime Report Sheet and under Crime #1, record as much detail as you can about the event you witnessed.

Repeat steps 1 through 4 for the other crimes you will observe. Take this Crime Report Sheet home with you and study your notes.

Think about what occurred. Did you accidentally omit any information? If so, add it at this time.

Use your notes about the crimes you observed to answer the questions on the worksheet .

WHAT TO DO TONIGHT

Finish the lab. Do the review questions on the handout.

SUMMARY

define clues, long-term memory, observation, short-term memory, and tail

explain the importance of observation explain the importance of remembering

events. describe key items that they need to

remember about an event. explain the importance of recording events describe ways of recording events