In the Footsteps of Sherlock Holmes: A Multimedia Introduction to Forensic Science
This project developed as a result of the innovative teaching
techniques which were instituted in the chemistry course
"Chemistry
and Crime: From Sherlock Holmes to Modern Forensic Science"
for the non-science major. In the lecture hall, this approach
involved stimulating the student's interest in the science
topic to be discussed by first discussing a crime in which the
"science" was instrumental in its resolution. In the
laboratory, the same principle manifested itself by stimulating
the student's interest in conducting a series of experiments in
a cohesive investigation rather than simply assigning a
collection of unrelated exercises. The experiments helped the members
of the "investigative unit" resolve a crime to which they had
been called and which scene they had processed. While this
approach should be applicable at many institutions, 
many do not
have the resources to develop laboratory programs along these lines
and, as times have changed, are increasingly concerned with
exposing the students to situations now recognized as
potentially dangerous.
Since forensic science can be used to spark interest in science and since most people are intrigued by computer graphics, it was decided to use computer animated simulations to allow extensive, intensive investigation of scientific evidence collected at simulated crime scenes and studied using simulated scientific instruments. Therefore, a number of computer animated simulation modules are under development for incorporation into an interactive CD-ROM. One module portrays a crime scene. By using this module, the students will be able to process the crime scene and collect physical evidence for later analysis. In another module, the computer simulated crime lab offers the students the opportunity to use a number of instruments to analyze the evidence. The multimedia instrument modules will include the animation of the rendered instrument as well as subroutines instructing users in the necessary theory and interpretation of the data. While these modules are intended to be used as a package, they could be used individually. The individual animated instrumentation modules will enhance not only the laboratory program in the forensic science course but also could be used in the laboratory program or the lecture hall to illustrate the concepts in other science courses.
In other words, our primary goal is to develop software that adds a visual dimension to the teaching of science. This will allow students to visualize events happening on the microscopic and molecular level as well as the macroscopic level. Throughout their studies, students using the software can control the pace of the work and the path they take. They also can adjust the extent of interactivity to be consistent with their learning patterns.
Animations and Graphic Design
Don Durie
Past Members of the Project Sherlock animation team.
Annaliese K. Beery '97 was a Biology major at Williams College
David Furlow, hup! Multimedia
Charles J. Hagenbuch '00, a Computer Science major at Williams College
Daniel W. Nelson '99 was a Computer Science major at Williams College
Benjamin P. Running '99 was a computer graphics student at Skidmore College
Andrew T. Selder '97, was a Chemistry Major at Williams College
Hank Zill '97 was a Computer Science major at Williams College. He now is a working at Tripod, Inc.
Abstract of a presentation made at FRENZY - the Forensic Sciences and Crime Scene Technology Conference and Exposition, Washington, DC, May 2000.
PROJECT SHERLOCK: FORENSIC EDUCATION THROUGH INTERACTIVE MULTIMEDIA, Lawrence J. Kaplan, and Daniel W. Nelson, Department of Chemistry, Williams College, Williamstown, MA 01267, David Furlow, hup! Multimedia.
To enhance forensic science instruction, the production of an interactive, multimedia CD-ROM linked to a web site has been undertaken. This computer assisted instructional tool provides an opportunity to process crime scenes and learn/use a variety of forensic instrumental/experimental techniques through the use of a simulated academy and crime lab. (Partial support: National Science Foundation-CCD grants DUE-9554875 and DUE-9752526).
An invited presentation at the Tenth International Conference on College Teaching and Learning, "Teaching, Learning & Technology: Innovation in a Global Learning Community," Florida Community College, Jacksonville, Florida, April.1999.
CHEMISTRY AND CRIME: FROM SHERLOCK HOLMES TO MODERN FORENSIC SCIENCE. Lawrence J. Kaplan and David Furlow, Department of Chemistry, Williams College, Williamstown, MA 01267 (David is from hup! multimedia.) (Partial support: National Science Foundation-CCD grants DUE-9554875 and DUE-9752526).
Abstract of the paper presented at the 213th National Meeting of the American Chemical Society, San Francisco, April 1997.
SHERLOCK: A MULTIMEDIA FORENSIC CHEMISTRY PROJECT. Lawrence J. Kaplan, Andrew Selder, Annaliese Beery and Hank Zill, Department of Chemistry, Williams College, Williamstown, MA 01267
To enhance instruction in the crime (chemistry) laboratory, the production of an interactive, multimedia CD-ROM has been undertaken. This computer assisted instructional tool is designed to supplement the laboratory program by offering crime scenes and instrumental/experimental opportunities which otherwise might not be available. The CD portrays the crime scene and allows students to move through the scene, take pictures, and collect evidence for later analysis. The students then enter a simulated crime lab and perform experiments on the evidence and control samples. Each computer simulated instrument/experiment provides a real-life sense of what it is like to work with the equipment and perform the analysis. The animated, computer simulated instruments/experiments allow the students to prepare samples, open compartments, introduce cells, make injections, and see the output in the form of spectra, chromatograms or other appropriate results. The theory and background upon which each instrument/experiment is based is presented in an interactive manner and may be used to enhance the lecture presentation of the concepts. The progress achieved with a crime scene, the theory and operation of the GC-MS and other techniques will be presented. (Partial support: National Science Foundation -CCD grant DUE-9554875).
Also see my microcalorimeter page...
