NFB STEM2U Online: Forensic Science Activity Booklet

Science Sleuths: Unlocking Mysteries with NFB STEM2U

The National Federation of the Blind (NFB) is dedicated to showing that blind students can fully participate in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). This year, we’re diving into the exciting world of forensic science through a detective-style challenge!

A top-secret prototype has gone missing from the NFB Freedom Motors design lab, and investigators need your help to solve the mystery. Using real scientific tools and experiments, you’ll analyze DNA, test chemical substances, and study impression evidence to uncover the truth.

After each activity, we will pause the investigation so you can learn the science behind the clues and then apply that knowledge to solve the case.

Detectives use skills like careful observation, critical thinking, and hands-on experimentation to uncover evidence. You’ll do the same as you test hypotheses, collect data, and piece together clues to identify the suspect. Get ready to step into the shoes of a forensic scientist because science solves mysteries!

To access the activity booklet in other formats, visit the NFB STEM2U Online: Forensic Science Curriculum webpage.

Table of Contents

Choose a link below to navigate to the respective section.

The Case of the Missing Prototype

NFB Freedom Motors has been developing a top-secret, eco-friendly prototype engine that could revolutionize the future of cars. But just days before its big reveal, the prototype mysteriously vanished from the design lab.

Security footage offered few clues, but investigators discovered three key pieces of evidence at the scene:

  1. A biological sample that may contain the thief’s DNA
  2. A mysterious residue spilled near a workbench
  3. Distinct tool impressions pressed into a smashed clay car model used during vehicle design

Now it’s up to you, the forensic investigation team, to analyze the evidence. By extracting DNA, identifying the unknown substance, and comparing tool impressions, you’ll uncover who stole the prototype, how they did it, and which tool ties them to the crime.

Detective Briefing: Your Mission

Detectives, the clock is ticking. The prototype’s disappearance threatens to halt NFB Freedom Motors’ launch and could cost the company millions. Your job is to analyze every clue, piece by piece, and uncover the truth before the big reveal.

Work carefully, each experiment represents a vital stage in the investigation:

  • Experiment 1: Extract DNA from a biological sample to identify potential suspects.
  • Experiment 2: Analyze mysterious substances found at the scene.
  • Experiment 3: Compare tool impressions to determine which object left its mark on the damaged clay model.

Document your findings, record your observations, and use your Evidence Chart to connect the dots. Only through careful analysis will you be able to identify who stole the prototype, what ties them to the scene, and how the crime was committed. Reveal the culprit and recover the missing prototype before the public unveiling!

Entering the Forensic Lab

Armed with your case notes and the clues gathered from the scene, you and your team enter the forensic lab. This is where evidence becomes proof. Each workstation has been prepped with tools, samples, and testing equipment designed to help you uncover what really happened in the design lab.

Your job as a forensic investigator is to use science, carefully and systematically, to reveal the truth. Every test you perform brings you closer to solving the mystery of the missing prototype.

Before you begin, review the following sections to master your nonvisual investigation skills. These techniques will help you explore like a true scientist, using touch, sound, and reasoning to detect details that might otherwise go unnoticed.

Nonvisual Skills for Forensic Science

Before beginning your investigation, it’s helpful to practice a few nonvisual techniques that will make your experiments smooth, safe, and successful.

Safety First

  • Wear goggles and gloves when appropriate, and don’t forget your learning shades for nonvisual learning.
  • Use the buddy system when handling liquids, heat sources, or fragile materials.
  • Clearly label all containers with tactile markings or Braille to avoid mix-ups.
  • When identifying odors, always waft scents toward your nose rather than smelling directly.
  • Communicate clearly with your fellow investigators to maintain a safe, organized lab environment.

Organization and Setup

  • Label cups, tools, and materials with large print, Braille, or tactile markers such as bump dots, stickers, or rubber bands.
  • Work over a tray or mat to contain spills and keep small items in one area.
  • Keep materials in consistent positions, such as liquids on one side and solids on the other, to create a predictable workspace.

Liquids and Pouring

  • Use the finger method, liquid-level indicator, or sound cues to measure solutions accurately.
  • Use funnels when transferring liquids into smaller containers.
  • Practice using a pipette or medicine dropper; squeeze slowly and gently to control the flow.
  • A notched syringe can help with precise measurements and tactile identification.

Clay and Impressions

  • Use your fingertips to explore raised lines, grooves, and textures in clay.
  • When comparing impressions, move your fingers side –to side to notice subtle differences in depth and width.
  • Keep all impressions in a consistent orientation (e.g., heel at the bottom, toe at the top, or tool handle to the left) for easier comparison.

Measuring, Labeling, and Recording

  • Use a tactile ruler or Click-Rule for precise measurements; accuracy is key in detective work.
  • Record data using a slate and stylus, Braille writer, note-taking device, or audio memo.
  • Double-check that all samples and notes are clearly labeled and stored securely for later analysis.

A Note About Learning Shades

In these investigations, you’ll often see a reminder to "put on your learning shades." These shades are more than an accessory; they’re an essential tool for exploring the world like a real scientist.

When you wear learning shades, you temporarily block vision so you can focus on nonvisual observation, using touch, sound, smell, and reasoning to gather clues. This strengthens confidence, curiosity, and problem-solving skills in powerful new ways.

This practice reflects the National Federation of the Blind’s philosophy of blindness, which teaches that blindness is not a tragedy but simply one characteristic among many. With proper training, opportunity, and belief in one’s abilities, blind people can live the lives they want.

For blind and low-vision participants, learning shades create an opportunity to experience the world through nonvisual techniques. They provide a chance to demonstrate and refine skills they already use daily in both science and life.

Learning shades remind every investigator that independence and discovery come from skill, not sight.

Return to the Table of Contents

Experiment Briefings

Experiment 1: DNA Extraction

Investigators recovered a small biological sample from the design lab—likely left behind by whoever handled the prototype. It could be saliva, skin cells, or even plant matter stuck to their gloves.

In real forensic science, investigators use DNA analysis to identify people involved in a crime. Each person’s DNA sequence is unique, and by comparing genetic material from a scene to known samples, scientists can determine who was present—even from the smallest trace of evidence.

Your mission: extract DNA from a biological sample to simulate the forensic lab’s process. Once you’ve isolated the DNA, compare your results to the suspect profiles to determine who was really in the lab that night.

Experiment 2: Substance Identification

Near the workbench where the prototype was kept, investigators discovered a strange liquid spill and powdery residue. At first glance, no one could tell whether it was harmless or proof of tampering.

Forensic scientists must always identify unknown substances to link evidence to a suspect. Using your testing tools, you’ll analyze the materials, determine what they are, and connect the findings to the individuals most likely to have used them.

Experiment 3: Tool Impression Analysis

Inside the design studio, investigators found a smashed clay car model with deep impressions that didn’t match any of the designers’ tools. The marks suggest the thief may have pressed one of their own items into the clay while attempting to steal the prototype.

Forensic investigators use impressions, such as tool marks, footprints, and tire tracks, to link people and objects to a crime scene. In this experiment, you’ll recreate and compare clay impressions using everyday tools tied to your suspects.

By studying each mark’s shape, texture, and pattern, you’ll determine which object left the impression and how the thief gave themself away.

Return to the Table of Contents

Suspect Profiles: The People Behind the Prototype

Before any testing begins, every good detective studies the case file.

The evidence may tell one story, but understanding the people involved helps you interpret the clues.

The following ten individuals all work at NFB Freedom Motors, where innovation meets independence. But when the company’s top-secret prototype vanished, every employee suddenly became a suspect. Each one has a story, a motive, and a clue that could crack the case.

Study their profiles carefully, somewhere in this mix of engineers, designers, and dreamers lies the culprit. Their roles, habits, and relationships may reveal the missing links between the biological sample, the spilled substances, and the tool impressions found in the lab.

For the inside scoop, listen to the official suspect interviews (available with the digital materials online) or read the transcript provided. One of them might just give themselves away!

Take notes, form your hypotheses, and prepare to test your theories in the lab. The truth is hiding, and it’s your job to uncover it.

Candy the Chemist

Surrounded by bubbling beakers and strong odors, Candy’s "experiments" might not all be science related. She doesn’t wear perfume, or at least you can’t smell it through the potent chemicals she leaves behind.

Candy always carries her slate and stylus, jotting down formulas the moment inspiration strikes.

DNA Sequence: TGC ATG CCA TAG

Designer Dave

Clay dust and colorful puffy paint stains follow him everywhere. Did his creativity turn destructive? Dave is never without his favorite cup of cola from the local drive-through.

He carries a set of sculpting tools for detailed work, though some wonder if they’ve also helped him uncover things he shouldn’t have.

DNA Sequence: GTC AAG TCC GTA

Eleanor the Executive

Expensive perfume, polished shoes, and a sleek leather briefcase announce her arrival before she even speaks. She thrives on power and appearances, but behind her sharp smile there may be secrets she’d rather hide.

Eleanor reviews documents on her stylish BrailleNote device, a perfect match for her high-end image.

DNA Sequence: AAC TGA CGT CCG

Evey the Engineer

Blueprints and sketches cover her desk, with graphite smudges marking every surface. Could one design be hiding a scheme? Evey is best friends with Candy, and the two might be plotting more than just their next project.

She relies on tactile drafting tools and maintains an organized system that only she seems to understand.

DNA Sequence: TTA CGG ATC GCA

Gabby the Gardener

Muddy boots and grass clippings come with the territory, but could she have dug up more than soil at the test track? Gabby prefers working outdoors and rarely steps inside, except for her steaming cup of herbal tea.

Her tinted glasses protect her sensitive eyes from the sun—but what else might she be hiding behind them?

DNA Sequence: GGA TCC AAT GCT

Janitor Jim

Always scrubbing floors with strong cleaners and navigating the halls confidently with his cane, Jim takes pride in keeping things spotless.

But did his mop bucket wash away more than just dirt? He’s good friends with Sam, and the two are often seen sharing lunches of hamburgers and fries with extra salt and pepper.

DNA Sequence: CCG TTA GCT AAC

Milly the Mechanic

Grease and motor oil trail behind her wherever she goes. Are those stains from fixing cars—or covering up a crime? You’ll never find Milly working without her favorite thermos of coffee.

She keeps a wrench clipped to her coveralls, perfect for quick fixes or quick break-ins.

DNA Sequence: ATG CCT GAA TCG

Security Guard Sam

Keeper of the keys and guardian of secrets. But did Sam unlock one instead? Their shared lunches of hamburgers, fries, and cola with Jim could have distracted them at just the wrong moment.

Calm, steady, and respected for their sharp memory, Sam’s jangling key ring always announces their arrival and perhaps their mistake.

DNA Sequence: CTA TGC AAC GGT

Techy Tanya

Always tinkering with wires, chips, and circuits, Tanya is never far from her coffee, no wonder she’s always wired! But maybe she rewired more than just machines.

Supposed to work closely with Milly, the two rarely see eye to eye and often avoid each other. Outside the lab, Tanya is a home baker who loves sharing fresh loaves of flour-dusted sourdough bread with her coworkers.

DNA Sequence: ATC GGA CTT GCA

Test Driver Tom

Fast cars and tire tracks are his trademarks. Tom takes pride in proving that blindness is no barrier to speed, he’s part of a blind driver challenge that shows how skill and technology make the impossible possible.

But what if his speed helped him sneak in and out unnoticed? The scent of cinnamon air freshener from the track always clings to his jacket.

DNA Sequence: AAC GCT TGG ATA

Return to the Table of Contents

Experiment 1: DNA Extraction

Investigators have recovered a biological sample at the NFB Freedom Motors Design Lab, and it’s your job to determine whether the evidence contains any useful DNA.

To prepare for your analysis, you’ll extract DNA from fruit to simulate the real-world forensic process. Once your extraction is complete, you’ll compare your results to the Suspect DNA Profile Chart to narrow down the list of potential culprits.

Materials

  • Coffee filter (cone shape)
  • Dish soap, 2 teaspoons
  • DNA lab report
  • Evidence Chart and Suspect Cards (provided by program facilitator)
  • Funnel (optional)
  • Gloves (optional)
  • Isopropyl alcohol (91–99%), ½ cup (keep cold until use)
  • Learning shades
  • Measuring cups/spoons
  • Paper cups, 2 6-ounce each (for water and alcohol)
  • Plastic cups, 2 16-ounce (clear)
  • Plastic medicine syringe (optional)
  • Plastic teaspoons, (two)
  • Rubber band
  • Sandwich bag (sealable)
  • Scissors
  • Strawberries, 4 fresh or thawed (leaves removed)
  • Table salt, 1 teaspoon (non-iodized)
  • Timer (optional)
  • Visual Assistance App (optional)
  • Water, ½ cup (warm)
  • Wooden stirring sticks, 2

Note: This experiment works best with strawberries, but you may experiment with other fruits as well. Strawberries usually produce the most visible DNA because they have a large amount of DNA in each cell and their cells are easy to break apart. This makes the DNA easier to extract and observe.

Steps

1. Gear up for the investigation.

Put on your learning shades to sharpen your nonvisual observation skills, you’re now officially on lab duty. All materials are safe to touch, but for the best tactile experience, go without gloves.

If you do, remember to wash your hands afterward. And of course, detective rule number one: never taste the evidence!

2. Mash the fruit and collect your first clue.

Place the strawberries into a sandwich bag and seal it, squeezing out as much air as possible. Gently mash the fruit until it feels smooth through the plastic, like applesauce.

Use the back of a spoon or your fingers, but don’t break the bag! You’re creating the base layer of your DNA evidence.

3. Mix the extraction solution.

In a 16-ounce plastic cup, combine 1 teaspoon of table salt, 2 teaspoons of dish soap, and ½ cup of warm water. Stir gently with a spoon or stir stick to avoid making bubbles. Label your cup: DNA Extraction Solution.

a. Forensic Question: Which ingredients in this solution do you think help release the DNA? Why?

4. Combine and mix the evidence.

Carefully cut the corner off the strawberry bag and squeeze the contents into the extraction solution. Stir slowly and gently for about one minute, no vigorous shaking here! You’re freeing the DNA from its hiding place inside the cells.

5. Filter the mixture and separate the clues.

Place a coffee filter over another 16-ounce cup, securing it with a rubber band or funnel. Slowly pour your strawberry mixture through the filter, letting the liquid drip into the cup below.

Allow it to filter for at least 90 minutes, if possible. While you wait, detectives can begin other case-prep activities.

6. Inspect the filtered evidence.

Once filtering is complete, remove and discard the filter. Gently touch the liquid, it should feel smooth, like soapy water.

Detective Tip: Use a free app such as Be My Eyes or Seeing AI for a visual description. Ask: What color is it? Are there layers or bubbles? What textures or patterns are visible?

7. Add the alcohol layer and observe chemistry in action.

Fill a small paper cup with ½ cup of cold isopropyl alcohol. Tilt the cup with your filtered mixture and slowly pour the alcohol down the inside wall to form a separate layer on top. Pour carefully to keep the layers distinct. A plastic syringe or steady-handed partner can make this step easier.

8. Wait for the DNA to reveal itself.

Set a timer for 15 minutes and observe. Over time, white, stringy clumps will appear at the boundary between the alcohol and fruit layers, the DNA!

a. Forensic Question: Why do you think the DNA collects at this boundary instead of mixing with the liquid below?

9. Spool the DNA—collect your final clue.

Use a wooden stir stick to gently lift the stringy DNA from the liquid. Be patient and precise, DNA is delicate and slippery! The strands will be right at the boundary between the two layers.

a. Forensic Question: What does it feel like? Slimy, stringy, or soft? You’ve just touched real DNA!

Detective Tip: Take another photo using Be My Eyes or Seeing AI for a visual look at your extracted evidence.

10. Analyze the evidence.

Congratulations, Detective, you’ve successfully extracted DNA from the crime scene! Package your "sample" and send it to the DNA lab (figuratively, of course).

When your DNA lab report arrives, review the data carefully and compare it to the Suspect DNA Profile Chart to determine which suspect’s DNA matches your sample.

11. Update your Evidence Chart.

Record your narrowed-down suspects in the Experiment 1 box.

What Did You Discover?

  1. How did the texture feel before versus after adding the extraction solution?
  2. In this activity, we used fruit DNA instead of human DNA. Real forensic labs use a process called Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) to make millions of copies for analysis. Why do you think we could extract DNA from fruit more quickly and easily than scientists can from human samples?
  3. Which suspect or suspects matched your DNA sample on the Suspect DNA Profile Chart? (Don’t forget to update your Evidence Chart!)

Suspect DNA Profile Chart

Suspect: Candy the Chemist
DNA Sequence: TGC ATG CCA TAG

Suspect: Designer Dave
DNA Sequence: GTC AAG TCC GTA

Suspect: Eleanor the Executive
DNA Sequence: AAC TGA CGT CCG

Suspect: Evey the Engineer
DNA Sequence: TTA CGG ATC GCA

Suspect: Gabby the Gardener
DNA Sequence: GGA TCC AAT GCT

Suspect: Janitor Jim
DNA Sequence: CCG TTA GCT AAC

Suspect: Milly the Mechanic 
DNA Sequence: ATG CCT GAA TCG

Suspect: Security Guard Sam
DNA Sequence: CTA TGC AAC GGT

Suspect: Techy Tanya
DNA Sequence: ATC GGA CTT GCA

Suspect: Test Driver Tom
DNA Sequence: AAC GCT TGG ATA

Pause the Investigation: What is DNA?

DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid) is the set of instructions that tells every living thing how to grow, function, and look. Think of DNA as a recipe book, each page is a gene, and together they make up the cookbook for life. Every cell in your body (and in the fruit you’re using) has DNA packed inside its nucleus.

DNA has a unique shape called a double helix. Explore DNA’s structure using the tactile graphics in your Forensic Science Tactile Graphic Booklet*, then compare them to your 3D model* to feel how the spiral shape twists and connects.

*Note: The Forensic Science Tactile Graphics Booklet and 3D DNA model were provided to participants at in-person STEM2U programs. Digital copies and a link to the 3D print file are also available online.

DNA is like a twisted ladder:

  • The sides are made of sugar and phosphate.
  • The steps are pairs of chemical "letters" called bases: A pairs with T, and C pairs with G, like puzzle pieces that fit together only one way.

When you pull DNA out of the fruit, you’re extracting millions of these tiny ladders all clumped together. Normally, DNA is far too small to see, but because so much is packed into the cells, it comes out as slimy, stringy strands that you can spool onto your stick, just like in your experiment.

Did You Know?

Humans have one complete set of DNA in every cell, called a genome. Extracting DNA from fruit is easier because fruits contain multiple genome copies in each cell. For example, strawberries have eight copies of their genome, making their DNA easier to extract and visible to the naked eye.

Return to the Table of Contents

Bonus Activities

Head to the Bonus Activities section for more clues, challenges, and hands-on investigations related to DNA!

Experiment 2: Substance Identification

Investigators discovered two types of evidence near the prototype workbench at NFB Freedom Motors, a mysterious liquid spill and a powdery residue. Was it an accident... or evidence of sabotage?

Your mission: analyze and identify each unknown sample, then match it to a possible suspect based on its chemical properties, pH level, and reaction during testing.

Safety First!

Before you begin, make sure to:

  • Work in a clean, organized area.
  • Keep and label liquids and powders in separate test spaces to prevent cross-contamination.
  • Handle all substances carefully. While all materials in this activity are safe to touch and smell, remember to wash your hands afterward—and never taste or eat any materials.
  • In a real lab, always check with an adult before handling unknown substances.

Safety Shoutout: Safe Smelling

There’s a safe way to smell unknown substances, it’s called wafting. Wafting prevents you from accidentally inhaling strong fumes or tiny particles.

To Waft Safely:

  • Hold the container away from your face.
  • Use your hand to gently sweep air toward your nose.
  • Take a light sniff. Never place a container directly under your nose!

pH Reading Tips

  • The pH scale runs from 0–14, where 7 is neutral, values below 7 are acidic, and values above 7 are basic (alkaline).
  • pH readings are temperature dependent. For best results, test substances at room temperature (22–25°C / 71–77°F).
  • Use a pH guard or stopper to control how deep you dip your probe, it should be submerged but not touching the device’s body.
  • Use small uniform-sized cups for consistent testing.

Part 1: Liquid Identification

Investigators recovered several liquid samples near the prototype station. Your task is to test each sample’s pH and observable properties to identify its likely source.

Materials

  • Accessible pH monitor (voice-output or app-based)
  • Coffee, ½ cup (prepared room temperature) (suspect sample)
  • Cola, ½ cup (suspect sample)
  • Crime scene liquid sample
  • Evidence Chart and Suspect Cards
  • Gloves (optional)
  • Learning shades
  • Lemon juice, ½ cup (suspect sample)
  • Measuring cups/spoons
  • Paper cups, 7 6-ounce cups (one for each control liquid, one for water, one for the crime scene sample)
  • Pipette
  • Vegetable oil, ½ cup (suspect sample)
  • Vinegar, ½ cup (suspect sample)
  • Water, ½ cup
  • Wooden stirring sticks, 6

Note: This experiment works best with strawberries, but you may experiment with other fruits as well. Strawberries usually produce the most visible DNA because they have a large amount of DNA in each cell and their cells are easy to break apart. This makes the DNA easier to extract and observe.

Steps

1. Gear up for the investigation.

Put on your learning shades to sharpen nonvisual observation. All materials are safe to touch, but wash hands after the activity if you skip gloves. And remember detective rule number one, never taste the evidence!

2. Set up your samples.

Pour each suspect liquid into its own 6-ounce cup. Pour water into a sixth cup and the crime scene liquid into a seventh. Label everything—organization helps crack the case. Suspect liquids include:

  • Motor oil (vegetable oil) – Milly the Mechanic
  • Chemical solution (lemon juice) – Candy the Chemist
  • Cleaning solution (vinegar) – Janitor Jim
  • Coffee – Evey the Engineer
  • Cola – Designer Dave

3. Examine the suspects.

Using touch and smell (waft safely!), observe the control liquids.

a. Forensic Question: What textures, temperatures, or scents stand out? Record every clue.

4. Measure the pH.

Insert the pH probe into each liquid just up to the stopper and record the reading. The pH level may point toward a particular suspect.

5. Test for solubility and reactions.

Add a few drops of water to each control liquid using a pipette, then stir gently with a wooden stirring stick. Be sure to use a separate stirring stick for each cup.

a. Forensic Question: Does the liquid mix smoothly, separate, or form layers? Small reactions can reveal big answers.

6. Investigate the crime scene liquid.

Repeat all observations and tests with the crime scene sample. What do you smell (waft safely)? What’s the pH reading? Does water mix with it? Be sure to rinse the probe with clean water between testing each sample to prevent cross-contamination.

Then compare your results to the Liquid Evidence Chart.

7. Record your findings.

Update the Evidence Chart with the suspect that best matches the crime scene sample in box two.

Detective Tip: Several liquids may seem similar. Look for subtle differences—texture, clarity, or mixing behavior—those details separate true suspects from innocent bystanders.

What Did You Discover?

  1. Which liquid did you identify from the crime scene sample?
  2. What tests or reactions helped you make your match?
  3. Did your results match your prediction? Why or why not?
  4. Which suspect’s sample matched your findings? (Don’t forget to update your Evidence Chart!)
  5. What evidence supports your conclusion?

Liquid Evidence Chart

Control Liquid: Motor Oil (vegetable oil)
Properties/pH: Hydrophobic; separates from water; ~neutral pH
Clue at the Scene: Oily slick residue
Suspect: Mechanic

Control Liquid: Chemical Solution (lemon juice)
Properties/pH: Tart citrus scent; thin texture; pH ~2
Clue at the Scene: Empty test tube that smelled like lemons
Suspect: Chemist

Control Liquid: Cleaning Solution (Vinegar)
Properties/pH: Sharp, sour smell; feels thin like water; pH ~2-3
Clue at the Scene: Dried white residue
Suspect: Janitor

Control Liquid: Coffee
Properties/pH: Slightly acidic, pH ~4.5–5, strong coffee smell
Clue at the Scene: Brown stain
Suspect: Engineer

Control Liquid: Cola
Properties/pH: Acidic, pH ~3–4, sweet smell
Clue at the Scene: Spilled sticky liquid
Suspect: Designer

Part 2: Powdery Residue Identification

Detectives also recovered a powdery residue at the crime scene. After interviewing suspects, investigators gathered several comparison samples.

Your task: revive the residue using a forensic blend and determine which known substance it matches.

To "bring your residue back to life," mix it with Substance Revival Powder, a simple blend of equal parts cornstarch and baking soda.

Materials

  • Accessible pH monitor (voice-output or app-based) (optional)
  • Baking powder, ½ cup (for Substance Revival Powder)
  • Cinnamon, 1 tablespoon (suspect sample)
  • Cornstarch, ½ cup (for Substance Revival Powder)
  • Crime scene powder sample
  • Evidence Chart and Suspect Cards
  • Flour, 1 tablespoon (suspect sample)
  • Freeze-dried fruit (crushed), 1 tablespoon (suspect sample)
  • Gloves (optional)
  • Learning shades
  • Measuring spoons (tablespoon)
  • Paper cups, 6-ounce cups (one per suspect and one for the crime scene sample)
  • Plastic cups, 16-ounce cups (one for water, one for Substance Revival Powder)
  • Sequins, 1 tablespoon (suspect sample)
  • Soil, 1 tablespoon (suspect sample)
  • Water, 6 tablespoons
  • Wooden stirring sticks, 7

Steps

1. Gear up for the investigation.

Put on your learning shades to sharpen your nonvisual observation skills, you’re now officially on lab duty.

All materials are safe to touch, but if you’re not wearing gloves, remember to wash your hands afterward. And remember, detective rule number one: never taste the evidence!

2. Make the Substance Revival Powder.

In a 16 ounce cup, combine ½ cup cornstarch and ½ cup baking powder. Label the cup, this is what will activate the residue.

3. Prepare the suspect samples.

In five 6 ounce cups, mix 1 tablespoon of Substance Revival Powder with 1 tablespoon of each suspect powder using a wooden stirring stick. Suspect powders include:

  • Bread dough mix (flour) – Techy Tanya
  • Cinnamon – Test Driver Tom
  • Dried fruit smoothie (freeze-dried fruit powder) – Eleanor the Executive
  • Metal shavings (sequins) – Security Guard Sam
  • Soil – Gabby the Gardener

Keep everything labeled—organization solves cases!

4. Activate the reaction.

Add 1 tablespoon of water to each mixture and stir gently with a wooden stick. Observe closely, something is about to happen.

5. Observe and record.

Use touch and smell (waft safely!) to note changes.

a. Forensic Question: Does it clump, fizz, dissolve, harden, or stay gritty?

6. Compare all suspects.

Repeat the revival process with each sample, comparing your findings with the Powder Residue Evidence Chart.

7. Test the mystery residue.

Using the same method, revive the crime scene residue. Observe how it behaves and record your results.

8. Match your crime scene powder.

Compare the revived crime scene mixture with the known samples.

a. Forensic Question: Which substance reacts the same way?

9. Record your findings.

Update the Evidence Chart with the suspect that best matches the crime scene sample in box two.

Optional Forensic Test: Want extra proof? Detectives can take pH readings for more evidence and a stronger conclusion.

What Did You Discover?

  1. Which suspect’s sample behaved most like the crime scene sample?
  2. What textures, smells, or reactions helped you make your match?
  3. Did adding the Substance Revival Powder change how the samples felt or reacted?
  4. How could pH testing or solubility help you confirm your results?
  5. By comparing both experiments (the liquid and the powder), which suspects can you narrow down to two possibilities? (Don’t forget to update your Evidence Chart!)

Powder Residue Evidence Chart

Substance: Metal Shavings (sequins)
Properties/pH: Neutral, metallic, does not dissolve
Clue at the Scene: Shiny fragments
Suspect: Security

Substance: Soil
Properties/pH: Neutral, gritty, forms muddy mixture, earthy smell
Clue at the Scene: Muddy footprint
Suspect: Gardener

Substance: Bread Dough Mix (flour)
Properties/pH: Neutral, clumpy sticky texture
Clue at the Scene: Smudged residue
Suspect: Tech

Substance: Cinnamon
Properties/pH: Acidic, pH ~4-5.5, spicy sweet aroma, clumpy texture when wet
Clue at the Scene: Crumbled air freshener
Suspect: Test Driver

Substance: Dried Fruit Smoothie Residue (crushed dehydrated fruit)
Properties/pH: Acidic, pH ~3–4, sweet smell, sticky
Clue at the Scene: Spilled sticky liquid
Suspect: Executive

Pause the Investigation: What is pH?

pH stands for "power of hydrogen." It’s how scientists measure how sour (acidic) or how slippery (basic) a liquid is. Think of it as a chemical personality test for substances.

  • A pH of 7 is neutral (like pure water).
  • Numbers below 7 are acidic—sour, sharp, and often corrosive (like lemon juice or vinegar).
  • Numbers above 7 are basic (alkaline)—bitter, slippery, and sometimes strong cleaners (like baking soda or soap).

The pH scale goes from 0 to 14, with each step representing a tenfold difference in strength. For example, pH 3 isn’t just slightly more acidic than pH 4, it’s ten times more acidic!

Scientists measure pH to identify unknown substances, check water quality, test soil for plants, and even in medicine to study how our bodies function.

Did You Know?

Forensic scientists often use pH testing to identify mystery substances at crime scenes! A simple pH reading can reveal if a spill was an acidic cleaner, a basic detergent, or even a neutral liquid like water.

Investigators have used pH clues to trace everything from tampered lab samples to spoiled food products and sometimes, the difference between guilt and innocence can be just a single number on the pH scale!

Bonus Activities

Head to the Bonus Activities section for more clues, challenges, and hands-on investigations related to pH!

Return to the Table of Contents

Experiment 3: Object Impression Analysis

Investigators discovered mysterious marks pressed into the smashed clay car model inside the design lab. These impressions didn’t match the designers’ sculpting tools, which means the thief must have left them behind!

Forensic scientists study impressions, like footprints, tire tracks, and tool marks, to link evidence back to suspects. Now it’s your turn to test and compare tools to help crack the case.

Materials

  • Clay sample (hardened) from crime scene
  • Evidence Chart and Suspect Cards
  • Gloves (optional)
  • Learning shades
  • Polymer modeling clay
  • Model Magic clay (air dry)
  • Paper plates, 11 (6-inch diameter)
  • Suspect crime scene objects, 5

Steps

1. Gear up for the investigation.

Put on your learning shades to strengthen your nonvisual observation skills and gloves if you choose. You’re entering the lab zone!

All materials are safe to touch, but if you’re not wearing gloves, be sure to wash your hands afterward. And remember, never taste the evidence!

2. Prepare your clay evidence plates.

Roll five handful-sized balls of polymer modeling clay and place each on a small paper plate. Label each plate with the object you’ll be testing, one object per plate keeps your case file organized.

3. Flatten for impressions.

Place another plate on top of each polymer clay ball and press down gently to create a smooth, flat surface about ¼ inch thick. This will be your evidence surface.

a. Forensic Question: Why is it important to start with a smooth piece of clay?

4. Collect object impressions.

The forensic team recovered five objects from the scene. Press each suspect test object firmly into the polymer clay to create a clear impression.

The firmer you press, the sharper your evidence will be. Carefully lift the object straight up to preserve the mark, every detail matters!

5. Cast the impressions.

Roll five new balls of Model Magic clay. One by one, press each into the polymer clay impressions. Press firmly enough to capture the details, but not so hard that you distort the print.

Gently peel the Model Magic away and place it beside its matching clay impression (or on a labeled plate). Repeat for the other four objects.

6. Recreate the crime scene evidence.

Use a fresh ball of Model Magic clay to make a cast of the hardened clay sample recovered from the crime scene.

Peel it off carefully and place it on a plate labeled Crime Scene Sample.

7. Examine the clues.

With a light touch, explore the shapes, textures, and depths of each mark. Handle gently—Model Magic is still soft.

Detective Tip: The longer you let your Model Magic dry, the crisper and more reliable your evidence will be. If possible, make your impressions early and analyze them later. A fan, wire rack, or warm air can help speed up drying.

8. Compare your findings.

Match your clay impressions to the Object Impression Chart and the hardened clay sample from the crime scene. Look for identical shapes, ridges, or patterns.

9. Identify the culprit object.

Which object left the same impression mark on the hardened clay sample? Record your conclusion carefully, it’s your key piece of evidence.

10. Close the case.

Link the identified object to its suspect using evidence from your earlier experiments, and update your Evidence Chart in Box Three. Remember, crime scenes may contain DNA or clues from individuals who did not commit the crime.

In this case, the true suspect is the one who appeared at all three scenes. Congratulations, Detective, you’ve cracked another case!

What Did You Discover?

  1. Why do you think tool marks can be as unique as fingerprints or DNA?
  2. How can impression evidence help investigators link ordinary objects to a crime scene?
  3. Which tactile features made your match the clearest (for example, parallel ribs, holes, ridges, or grooves)?
  4. If two impressions felt similar, what additional clues, such as shape, spacing, or depth, helped you make your final decision?

Object Impression Chart

Object Left Behind: Hammer
Impression Clues: Round front stamp leading into a short, flat bar with a slightly curved tail
Suspect: Mechanic

Object Left Behind: Test Tube
Impression Clues: Small, oval-shaped dent with a flat rim at the top and a rounded bottom
Suspect: Chemist

Object Left Behind: Screwdriver
Impression Clues: Long, narrow line with a tip that has small, curved indentations
Suspect: Janitor

Object Left Behind: Leaf
Impression Clues: Vein-like pattern, irregular imprint
Suspect: Gardener

Object Left Behind: Wrench
Impression Clues: Large, curved dent with uneven edges
Suspect: Engineer

Object Left Behind: Tire Piece
Impression Clues: Round tread pattern with ridges
Suspect: Test Driver

Object Left Behind: Drafting Ruler
Impression Clues: Wide flat rectangle with small star, circle, and triangle cutouts
Suspect: Designer

Object Left Behind: Key
Impression Clues: Long, narrow body with a fancy-shaped top and a small square tooth at the bottom
Suspect: Security Guard

Object Left Behind: Screw
Impression Clues: Spiral or ridged groove pattern; narrow circular dent with a central raised line
Suspect: Technician

Object Left Behind: Plastic Comb
Impression Clues: Series of fine, evenly spaced grooves
Suspect: Executive

Pause the Investigation: Impressions Tell a Story

When an object presses into a soft surface like clay, sand, or soil, it leaves behind an impression, a mark scientists can study. In your tool experiment, you compared clay impressions to figure out which tool left the mark.

Footprints work the same way: when a person steps, the tread of their shoe presses into the ground and leaves behind a pattern.

Scientists can learn a lot from these impressions:

  • Shoe tread patterns help match prints to a specific shoe.
  • Footprint size can give clues about a person’s height.
  • Depth of the print may suggest weight or whether someone was running or walking.
  • Stride length (distance between footprints) can even reveal if a person was moving quickly, limping, or sneaking.

This kind of analysis is called forensic podiatry, using footprints, shoe impressions, and walking patterns to help solve crimes.

Just like you can feel clay tool marks, you can also feel different tread patterns to identify footprints.

Did You Know?

Forensic scientists can lift a single footprint from dirt or sand using special gels and casting materials and even match it to a specific shoe brand and size!

In real investigations, tool marks and impressions have helped identify everything from a burglar’s crowbar to the screwdriver used to break into a car. Every scratch, ridge, and groove tells part of the story, just like your clay impressions!

Return to the Table of Contents

Bonus Activities

Head to the Bonus Activities section for more clues, challenges, and hands-on investigations related to forensic podiatry and other forensic science activities!

Bonus Activities!

Ready to take your investigation even further? The following bonus activities give you the chance to expand on the scientific concepts you’ve learned and explore new ways to think like a detective.

Each activity builds on your experiments, helping you strengthen your observation skills, test new ideas, and see how forensic science connects to the real world.

Whether you’re decoding DNA, tracking chemical reactions, or studying impressions, these challenges will help you dig deeper into the mystery, and sharpen your skills as a science sleuth!

Bonus Activity: Build the DNA Code

Detectives and scientists use DNA to identify people and solve mysteries. It’s like a secret code inside every cell that makes each living thing unique. By studying DNA, investigators can connect evidence from a crime scene to the person it belongs to.

In this activity, you’ll build your own model of DNA, the famous "twisted ladder" called the double helix. DNA is the ultimate biological clue, and now it’s your turn to build the code of life and see how it all fits together!

Materials

  • Chenille stems/pipe cleaners, 5 (12 inches long)
  • Craft beads, 44 (6 different shapes), such as:
    • Hearts, 12
    • Stars, 12
    • Rounds, 5
    • Squares, 5
    • Triangles, 5
    • Flowers, 5
  • Scissors

Note: You can use any shapes or substitute materials as long as you have six distinct types.

Steps

1. Create the DNA backbone.

Take two pipe cleaners, these represent the sugar-phosphate backbones of the DNA ladder. String each pipe cleaner with alternating heart and star beads (for example, heart–star–heart–star).

Use twelve beads per strand (six hearts and six stars), leaving about half an inch of space between beads. Make sure both strands follow the same pattern.

2. Prepare the base pairs.

Use the smaller bead shapes to represent the four DNA bases:

  • Round = Cytosine (C)
  • Square = Guanine (G)
  • Triangle = Thymine (T)
  • Flower = Adenine (A)

Remember: C always pairs with G, and T always pairs with A, just like pieces of a puzzle that only fit one way.

3. Build the "rungs."

Cut two pipe cleaners into ten pieces (about 2 inches a piece). Take the short 2-inch pipe cleaners and place one bead from each base pair on opposite ends (for example: round on one end, square on the other).

Leave a bit of space at both ends so you can wrap the "rung" later. Make five C–G strands and five T–A strands.

4. Attach the rungs.

Wrap each 2-inch "rung" around the 2 full-length backbones. Attach each rung above a matching bead shape on both sides, skipping every other bead to keep spacing even.

5. Form the helix.

Once all the rungs are in place, gently twist the two long pipe cleaners together in a counterclockwise spiral.

6. Congratulations!

You’ve created your very own 3D double helix!

What Did You Discover?

  1. What repeating patterns or pairings did you notice as you built the ladder?
  2. How does the "A with T" and "C with G" rule make DNA reliable for storing genetic information?
  3. Where else have you seen codes that follow fixed rules, like Braille, math notation, or computer code?

Challenge Extension

  1. Try building a longer DNA strand with more base pairs to see how the pattern continues.
  2. Create a color key for each base (A, T, C, and G) using tactile stickers or markers.
  3. Build two matching strands and "mutate" one by swapping a single base, can you spot the change by touch?
  4. Write a short reflection describing how DNA is like a language or code used by living things.

Bonus Activity: When DNA Speaks

Investigators recovered a damaged piece of security footage from the NFB Freedom Motors lab. The video was corrupted, but the audio survived, hidden inside a string of DNA-like code.

Your mission: update a short computer program that decodes the sequence and unlocks the sound. When you run the code, you’ll hear exactly what the suspect said while trying to steal the prototype!

Materials

Steps

1. Decode the DNA Secret Code.

Use the DNA Secret Code Chart on page 44 to decode the provided DNA sequence and uncover your secret code word.

2. Unlock the Audio File.

Open the coding playground on Mozilla Developer Network (MDN) at https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/play.

3. Open your DNA Code script file

And copy the entire script into the HTML panel.

Detective Tip: Only input your code in the "HTML" box on Playground. Do not type in the "CSS" or "JavaScript" boxes. You can collapse these boxes to move them out of the way if needed.

4. Update your DNA code script.

Find and replace N="PASSPHRASE" with the secret code word.

Detective Tip: Use your screen reader’s Find feature (Ctrl+F or Insert+F) to locate the text PASSPHRASE in the code. You will find the word "PASSPHRASE" twice in the code.

Only replace the second instance, the one that appears within the code itself, not in the opening signature. Replace that second "PASSPHRASE" with your secret code word.

Keep the quotation marks around the word. Type your code word in ALL CAPITAL LETTERS.

5. Run the program.

A text box will appear on the screen. Type your secret code word into the box to unlock the hidden audio clip.

What Did You Discover?

  1. What six-letter word did you get from decoding the DNA Secret Code Chart?
  2. How is DNA like computer code in the way it stores and transmits information?
  3. What did you have to do as a programmer to reveal the hidden message?

DNA Secret Code Chart

Did you know? DNA is like a recipe written with just 4 letters: A, T, C, and G. A codon is a "3-letter word" in that recipe. Every time you read three letters together (like ATG or CGA), that’s one codon.

Each codon tells the cell to do one small job, like "add this building block" (an amino acid) or "start/stop building."

Use the DNA sequence below to decode the passphrase.

DNA to decode: GGA GAA AAT TAA ATG TTT

Codon: CCT
Letter: P

Codon: AAT
Letter: N

Codon: GAA
Letter: E

Codon: TGC
Letter: C

Codon: ATG
Letter: M

Codon: GGA
Letter: G

Codon: TTT
Letter: E

Codon: GTA
Letter: V

Codon: TAA
Letter: O

Codon: CGA
Letter: R

Codon: AAC
Letter: N

Codon: GGT
Letter: G

Bonus Activity: The Acid-Base Mystery

Testing pH helps scientists figure out whether a substance is acidic, neutral, or basic; clues reveal what it really is and how it might be used.

Investigators often test unknown liquids to uncover the truth. Now it’s your turn: use your tools to discover whether the mystery liquids are sour acids, slippery bases, or neutral suspects.

Materials

  • A set of safe household test liquids (vinegar, orange juice, soda, water, baking soda solution, soapy water, etc.)
  • Labels of each test liquid’s name
  • Accessible pH monitor (voice-output or app-based)
  • pH scale board tactile graphic
  • Pipettes (one for each liquid)
  • Small cups (one for each liquid)

Steps

1. Gather your liquids.

Pour a small amount of each liquid into its own labeled evidence cup.

2. Analyze the samples.

Use the accessible pH meter to test each liquid and record the pH results in your field notes.

3. Build your pH board.

Make a label for each liquid you are going to test. Place the label for each liquid on the pH evidence board at the matching pH number range.

For example, if the pH meter shows water is 7, place the "water" label at number 7 on the board.

What Did You Discover?

  1. Which liquid was the most acidic (lowest number)?
  2. Which liquid was the most basic (highest number)?
  3. Did any results surprise you? Why?
  4. How might knowing a liquid’s pH be helpful in real life?

Bonus Activity: Shoeprints Don’t Lie

Shoeprints can reveal important clues about a crime scene, such as a person’s pace, size, and movement. Just like fingerprints, they leave behind a unique story. Every step is evidence.

Examine and compare the tactile shoeprints, match the mystery print, and uncover how even foot size and tread patterns can expose surprising details about a suspect.

Materials

  • Shoeprint tactile graphic images
  • Suspect shoeprint tactile graphic

Steps

1. Examine and compare the tactile shoeprint images.

Look for circles, zigzags, lines, and other distinct patterns. What makes each shoeprint unique?

2. Analyze the suspect shoeprint.

Compare it to the known shoeprints. Can you find a match?

What Did You Discover?

  1. Could you tell the difference between the tread patterns?
  2. How might investigators use shoeprints to identify suspects?
  3. What other clues, like size, depth, or stride, could shoeprints reveal about a person’s actions?

Challenge Extension: How Tall Are You from Your Feet?

Footprints don’t just show shoe patterns; they can also help scientists estimate a person’s height! Anthropologists have discovered that foot length is usually about 15% of a person’s total height.

Try this mini experiment to see how close the estimate comes for you!

Materials

  • Ballpoint pen (optional)
  • Copy paper (optional)
  • Tactile drawing board (optional)
  • Talking calculator (optional)
  • Talking measuring tool: measuring tape, tactile ruler, or Click-Rule

Steps

1. Measure your foot.

Use a tactile or talking measuring tool (or trace the outline of your foot on a tactile drawing board) and measure the length from heel to toe.

2. Calculate your height estimate.

Multiply your foot length by 6.6 to estimate your height.

3. Compare your results.

Measure your actual height and compare it to your estimate. How close were the two measurements?

What Did You Discover?

  1. Was your estimated height close to your real height?
  2. Do both of your feet measure the same length?
  3. Why might some results be more or less accurate?
  4. How might stride length and foot size together help investigators estimate a person’s height or speed?
  5. How could investigators use this information when solving a crime?

Bonus Activity: Fingerprints Tell a Story

Fingerprints, like shoeprints, can reveal important clues about a person’s identity. Every single person has a one-of-a-kind set of fingerprints; even identical twins have different ones!

Investigators use fingerprint patterns to match evidence found at a crime scene to the person who left it.

There are three basic types of fingerprint patterns:

  • Arches – ridges that flow from one side to the other in gentle waves; these are the least common type.
  • Loops – ridges that enter from one side, curve around, and exit the same side; these are the most common.
  • Whorls – circular or spiral patterns that look like tiny whirlpools.

Each of your fingers can have a different mix of these patterns. That unique combination is what makes fingerprints so valuable in investigations, they help confirm a person’s identity with incredible accuracy.

Materials

  • Basic fingerprint types tactile graphic
  • Suspect fingerprint tactile graphic

Steps

1. Explore each basic fingerprint type with your fingertips.

Move slowly and notice the raised ridges, curves, and loops that make up each print.

2. Examine the suspect fingerprint.

What types of patterns and textures can you detect in this fingerprint?

What Did You Discover?

  1. Which fingerprint pattern was easiest to feel and recognize, arches, loops, or whorls?
  2. How might investigators use fingerprints to identify suspects or confirm someone’s identity?
  3. Why do you think it’s important that each of our fingers has a unique pattern?

Return to the Table of Contents

Science Unlocked: How Forensics Changes the World

Science isn’t just something you learn in a classroom; it’s a tool that investigators use every day to solve real mysteries. The experiments you completed in The Case of the Missing Prototype are inspired by the same methods used in real forensic labs.

Here’s how the science you explored connects to the real world:

DNA: Cracking Cold Cases

Just like you extracted DNA from fruit, forensic scientists can pull DNA from blood, hair, or skin cells found at a crime scene.

Comparing DNA samples has helped solve decades-old "cold cases," identify missing persons, and even free innocent people from prison. DNA really is the ultimate detective tool, a biological fingerprint that can’t be faked.

pH & Chemistry: Following the Chemical Trail

You used pH testing to figure out whether a mystery substance was acidic, neutral, or basic. Forensic chemists use the same kind of tests to identify unknown powders and liquids at crime scenes.

From detecting poison in food, to testing drugs, to finding out if a spill was harmful or harmless, chemistry helps investigators follow the evidence trail.

Impressions & Footprints: Traces That Tell the Truth

When you compared tool impressions in clay or matched tactile shoe/fingerprints (from the bonus activities), you were practicing the science of impression analysis. Investigators use these clues to connect a specific shoe tread or tool mark to a suspect.

In real cases, footprints have shown how tall a suspect might be, whether they were running, or even if they had an unusual limp. These "silent witnesses" often provide the missing piece of the puzzle.

The Big Picture: Evidence in Action

Each piece of evidence by itself, DNA, a chemical test, or an impression, may only tell part of the story. But when scientists combine all the evidence, they build a case that can stand up in court.

That’s why forensic science is so powerful: it brings together biology, chemistry, physics, and careful observation to unlock the truth.

By experimenting like detectives, you’ve seen how science can uncover hidden clues, connect them to suspects, and solve mysteries. Whether it’s in the lab, the courtroom, or your everyday life, science is the key that unlocks the truth.

Return to the Table of Contents

Profiles of Real Investigators

Science and mystery aren’t just for sighted detectives. For over a century, blind detectives in stories have shown that sharp thinking and observation go far beyond sight.

Today, blind scientists and innovators carry on that tradition in real life, cracking codes, solving puzzles, and uncovering mysteries of the universe and natural world. Their work proves that it is curiosity and determination, not vision, that truly unlock the truth.

Dr. Abraham Nemeth (Mathematician & Inventor of Nemeth Code)

Abraham created the Braille math code that is still used worldwide today. By inventing a new way to read and write numbers, he unlocked math and science for blind students everywhere, cracking a code as powerful as DNA itself.

Annalise Diodato (Forensic Chemist)

Annalise Diodato holds a BS in forensic chemistry from the University of Scranton. With a passion for making science accessible for all, she demonstrates how blind and low-vision students can successfully perform lab work.

At Independence Science, she is developing a forensic science camp curriculum and making fingerprint and blood spatter analysis accessible, proving that anyone can pursue a future in forensic science.

Geerat Vermeij (Paleobiologist & Evolutionary Biologist)

Blind since childhood, Geerat studies the shape and texture of seashells by touch. His groundbreaking research revealed how animals adapt and evolve in the ocean, reshaping how scientists understand natural selection.

Longstreet (Fictional TV Detective, 1970s)

A blind insurance investigator turned detective, Longstreet solved cases using sharp reasoning and practical adaptations. He showed television audiences that blindness doesn’t mean the end of independence or detective work.

Max Carrados (Fictional Detective, 1900s)

Created by Ernest Bramah in the early 1900s, Max Carrados was one of literature’s first blind detectives. Celebrated alongside Sherlock Holmes, he solved crimes through sharp observation using touch, hearing, and smell; proving that true detection is about more than sight.

Dr. Wanda Díaz-Merced (Astrophysicist)

When she lost her sight, Wanda pioneered sonification, a way to turn space data into sound. By "listening to the stars," she continues to make discoveries about the universe, showing that blindness is no barrier to big science.

Return to the Table of Contents

Want to Solve Real Mysteries?

Forensic science is made up of many different jobs and blind students can do any of them with confidence, skills, and the right tools. Some examples include:

Forensic Scientist

Analyze evidence like DNA, fibers, fingerprints, and chemical samples in a lab. Accessible tools, such as talking pH meters, tactile models, and sonification software, make lab science possible.

Forensic Chemist or Toxicologist

Study chemicals and unknown substances to solve cases. Many blind scientists work successfully in chemistry labs with accessible equipment.

Digital Forensics Analyst

Investigate cybercrimes by tracking data, recovering files, and finding digital clues. This field uses screen readers and accessible computer tools.

Forensic Psychologist

Study human behavior, interview people, and help investigators understand motives and patterns.

Crime Scene Investigator or Evidence Technician

Collect and catalog evidence, take measurements, and record data. With training, orientation skills, and nonvisual techniques, blind professionals can work in the field or in the crime lab.

Return to the Table of Contents

Paths to a Forensic Science Career

There isn’t just one path. Students can choose what suits them best:

College/University Programs

  • Forensic science
  • Chemistry or biology
  • Criminal justice
  • Psychology
  • Cybersecurity or computer science

Vocational or Trade Programs

  • Lab technician training
  • Cybersecurity certifications
  • Evidence technician or crime lab assistant training

Non-School & Experience Paths

  • Internships with labs or police departments
  • Science camps or career exploration programs
  • Online courses in coding, cybersecurity, or data analysis
  • Robotics, chemistry, or STEM clubs

Whether you want to work in a lab, study clues on a computer, or investigate in the field, there is a place for blind professionals in forensic science and criminal investigation.

Return to the Table of Contents

Share Your STEM2U Experience

If you’d like to share photos or videos of your NFB STEM2U experiments, we’d love to see them! You can email them directly to [email protected].

If you choose to post on social media, be sure to include the hashtag #NFBSTEM2U so our team can find, share, and celebrate your amazing work with the community!

Note: By submitting or sharing media, you grant the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) permission to use your and/or your child’s image or likeness in materials produced by the NFB for promotional, educational, and related purposes.

This includes use in print materials, websites, social media, and news media in any format or medium.

Return to the Table of Contents

Acknowledgments

The National Federation of the Blind extends its deepest gratitude to our supporters who make NFB STEM2U possible.

This program is built on the belief that blind students can and should have full access to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education, and we could not achieve this without the generosity of our partners.

We give special thanks to General Motors, whose generous contribution made this year’s NFB STEM2U program possible.

Their investment not only provided the resources to design and deliver an engaging experience but also ensured that blind students across the country could receive hands-on kits, accessible curriculum materials, tactile graphics, and mentorship opportunities.

Thanks to this support, students were able to experiment, explore, and grow their confidence in STEM fields. Beyond the lessons themselves, the impact of this program is seen in the curiosity sparked, the skills developed, and the futures shaped.

On behalf of our students, families, mentors, and staff, thank you for believing in the potential of blind youth and for helping us build a future where all children can live the lives they want.

Return to the Table of Contents

About National Federation of the Blind

The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness does not define the future of blind and low-vision youth. Through our extensive education programs like NFB STEM2U, we introduce blind children to new possibilities, inspire teachers and families with our positive philosophy on blindness, and empower blind youth to achieve their full potential.

Beyond our education initiatives, we offer more opportunities to advance the life of your child:

To learn more about the National Federation of the Blind and our education programs, visit nfb.org/our-community/parents-blind-children, email us at
[email protected], or call us at 410-659-9314, extension 2418.

Return to the Table of Contents