P6/7 travelled to Wigtown on Friday to participate in a CSI workshop as part of Dumfries & Galloway’s Science Fair for Schools.

Agent Lyndsay explained to us the crime that had been committed – a very valuable painting had been stolen – and it was our task as CSI agents to solve it! We had to complete various forensic science activities to identify the culprit, such as:

• Analysis of soil samples to identify the type of soil left at the crime scene
• Use of UV light to match the footprint at the crime scene to the culprit’s footwear
• Use of facial recognition software to narrow down suspects
• Use of microscopes to identify fibre fragments from clothing
• Posing for mug shots
• Using DNA coding to identify the suspect
• Examining finger print patterns

A real-life CSI investigator then discussed her job with us and showed us how she would take finger prints from a crime scene.

Finally, we had to piece all the evidence together and identify the culprit from the suspects’ board. The crime was solved and our job as CSI agents had come to an end!