Solve This! Forensics: Super Science and Curious Capers for the Daring Detective in You

by Kate Messner, Anne Ruppert

Overview

C.S.I. meets National Geographic in this forensics-filled adventure. Examine the evidence and consider the suspects to put your crime-solving skills to the test.

Calling all budding sleuths! Solve your way through each entertaining, imaginary G-rated mystery to explore the forensic science of investigating and analyzing evidence. You'll study smudges on a computer keyboard, dust for fingerprints, examine bite marks on a discarded snack, analyze toxicology tests on blood samples, and much, much more. Piece together the clues to see if you can solve each case.

Fans of true crime dramas, escape rooms, mysteries, and preeminent author Kate Messner will love this introduction to forensic science.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781426337444
Publisher:	Disney Publishing Group
Publication date:	03/19/2020
Pages:	160
Sales rank:	516,367
Product dimensions:	7.80(w) x 9.90(h) x 0.50(d)
Lexile:	1090L (what's this?)
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

About the Author

KATE MESSNER is the author of more than 30 current and forthcoming books for younger readers, including science thrillers Wake Up Missing and Eye of the Storm, and informational picture books including Over and Under the Snow and Tree of Wonder, a 2016 AAAS/Subaru SB&F Prize Finalist. Two of Messner's titles have been NSTA Outstanding Science Trade Books, and her books have appeared on more than 20 state award lists. She is a frequent speaker at education conferences, runs the popular Teachers Write online summer writing camp for educators, and facilitates the camp's accompanying online group with 2,500+ teachers and librarians.
ANNE RUPPERT teaches biology, chemistry, and forensics at a public high school in western New York. She is a member of the Science Teachers Association of New York State and has presented at the organization's annual conference for teachers. Before launching her teaching career, she was a medical technologist, working in laboratories to study everything from blood analysis to disease testing.

Table of Contents

Introduction 6

Branches of Science 8

Kinds of Evidence 10

Tools of the Trade 14

How to Use This Book 18

Safety Guidelines 20

Mystery #1

Stolen Species 22

The Scenario 24

The Evidence 26

The Suspects 28

Investigating the Evidence 30

Let's Review 44

The Solution 46

A Closer Look: Fingerprinting 48

Try This!: Dusting for Fingerprints 50

Mystery #2

Bonobo Ransom 52

The Scenario 54

The Evidence 56

The Suspects 58

Investigating the Evidence 60

Let's Review 74

The Solution 76

A Closer Look: Handwriting Analysis 78

Try This!: Analyzing Documents 80

Mystery #3

The Grave Robber's Mistake 84

The Scenario 86

The Evidence 88

The Suspects 90

Investigating the Evidence 92

Let's Review 104

The Solution 106

A Closer Look: DNA Analysis 108

Try This!: Extracting DNA From a Strawberry 110

Mystery #4

Stolen Bones 114

The Scenario 116

The Evidence 120

The Suspects 122

Investigating the Evidence 124

Let's Review 132

The Solution 134

One More Mystery

Forensic Anthropology 136

A Closer Look: Trace Evidence 140

Try This!: Discover How an Accelerated Mass Spectrometer Works 142

So you want to be a Forensic Scientist! 144

Glossary 146

More Resources 150

Index 152

Photo Credits 158

Editorial Reviews

★ 05/01/2020

Gr 3–6—This book sets up four different mysteries that need to be solved using forensic science. Each mystery starts off with an explanation of the scenario, presents evidence, shows readers suspects with motives, and explains how to investigate the evidence. Each case reveals the actual solution and includes a closer look at the tools used to solve the crime. Historical examples are also given for each mystery. Colorful illustrations and photos share relevant information in vibrant text boxes. Some of the experiments require adult supervision, which is indicated with a special text box. Front matter includes a table of contents and an explanation on how to use the book, as well as tools of the trade and the kinds of science involved in forensics. There is also a safety warning to monitor young readers as they carry out any of the featured experiments. Back matter includes an index, a glossary, additional resources, and a list of other National Geographic Kids books that may be of interest. VERDICT A perfect addition to libraries where National Geographic Kids books are popular. This book doesn't talk down to kids and has great STEM activities.—Kristin Joy Anderson, Lewis University, Romeoville, IL

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