Scene documentation lab
Document a mock crime scene to SOP standard and examine trace evidence under magnification with a team.
Team scene packet: one photo with scale marker, scaled sketch with orientation, completed evidence log, microscopy sketch at two magnifications, and one contamination risk noted.
- 1Do thisDocument a mock crime scene to SOP standard and examine trace evidence under magnification with a team.
- 2Use this resource
- 3Submit thisLab report: Team scene packet: one photo with scale marker, scaled sketch with orientation, completed evidence log, microscopy sketch at two magnifications, and one contamination risk noted.
- 4Submit it here
- 1CMSD website. Go to clevelandmetroschools.org and click the Clever button.
- 2Clever. Clever opens. Sign in if it asks.
- 3Microsoft (district) login. Use your district Microsoft account (the one for school).
- 4Schoology. Open Schoology, then your class, then Assignments, and find the file named below.
The file to submit is named: Principles of Biomedical Technology (Principles of Biomedical Science) › Unit 1.1 Investigating the Scene: Forensic scene documentation, evidence log, crime-scene sketch, trace evidence, biometric data. › Lab reportOpen Schoology
- CER:
- Claim, Evidence, Reasoning — make a claim, back it with evidence, explain your reasoning.
- SOP:
- Standard Operating Procedure — the exact steps to follow (especially in a lab).
- Tracker:
- Your PLTW progress log where you record completed evidence.
- myPLTW:
- The PLTW course site where you do the online activities — you open it through Schoology.
Minute-by-minute · 80-minute block
💡 Big idea: Forensic documentation is a team SOP: every role is essential, and a break anywhere in the process weakens the entire chain.
- 0:00Assign or confirm roles; review scene SOP as a class; set safety expectations for specimen handling
- 0:10Scene documentation: teams photograph and sketch scene (do not touch items yet)
- 0:25Evidence collection: log each item, bag, and seal with team signatures on custody label
- 0:40Microscopy station: examine assigned trace sample; sketch at 40x and 100x with magnification labeled
- 1:00Record one documentation limitation and one contamination risk in lab notebook
- 1:10Scene packet review as a class; preview Thursday analysis
- • You have your roles assigned from Tuesday. Today is the real thing: a mock scene is set up in the room, and your team has exactly 15 minutes to document it correctly before collection begins.
- • Your photographer cannot move a single item. Your sketcher must include a scale marker and mark which direction is north. Your logger must fill in every field on the evidence log before the collector bags anything.
- • We will also get our first look at trace evidence under the microscope. Trace evidence is the invisible record left behind at every scene, and the only way to see it is magnification.
- • Remember: if you skip a step in the SOP, it is not just a grade issue. In a real case, that evidence might not be usable.
- 1Read the scene SOP and assign roles: photographer, sketcher, logger.
- 2Photograph and sketch the scene with a scale marker and orientation note.
- 3Collect and label trace evidence, recording each item in the evidence log.
- 4Examine a trace sample (fiber or hair) under magnification and describe it.
- 5Record one limitation of your documentation and one possible contamination source.
- • I can document a scene following an SOP with my team.
- • I can describe trace evidence observed under magnification.
- • Scale markers (rulers) and orientation notes (compass direction, room label) must appear in every scene photograph.
- • Trace evidence such as fibers and hair is collected with forceps into labeled, sealed bags and logged immediately on the evidence form.
- • Microscope magnification must be recorded with any sketch or observation so that scale can be interpreted later.
Your PLTW work today
Unit 1.1 Investigating the Scene: Forensic scene documentation, evidence log, crime-scene sketch, trace evidence, biometric data. · Scene documentation lab
Day 3 of this lesson. Open this exact section in myPLTW (reached through Schoology), then do the work below.
Do this: Open myPLTW and locate the Lesson 1.1 Investigating the Scene scene-documentation activity. Record your team roles and case number in the activity log.
Mark the Lesson 1.1 scene-documentation activity started and log your role in myPLTW.
You completed the evidence-log task Tuesday. Today your team's full scene packet (photos, sketch, evidence log) should be done before leaving.
Submitted scene packet including a photo with scale marker, a labeled sketch, and a completed evidence log.
All PLTW activities are completed inside the PLTW course environment — this page only gives direction. Submit producibles on Schoology.
Today's PLTW tracker
Check things off as you work, then submit. This tells Mr. Mendoza how you're doing so he can help the class. It does not replace turning in your producible on Schoology.
Use the code Mr. Mendoza gave you, not your name. Saved on this device.
Unit 1.1 Investigating the Scene: Forensic scene documentation, evidence log, crime-scene sketch, trace evidence, biometric data. · Scene documentation lab
Open myPLTW and locate the Lesson 1.1 Investigating the Scene scene-documentation activity. Record your team roles and case number in the activity log.
You completed the evidence-log task Tuesday. Today your team's full scene packet (photos, sketch, evidence log) should be done before leaving.
This is how Mr. Mendoza sees the class keeping pace with PLTW. Be honest, it only helps if it is accurate.
🎯 Document a mock crime scene to SOP standard and examine trace evidence under magnification with a team.
- Read the scene SOP and assign roles: photographer, sketcher, logger.
- Photograph and sketch the scene with a scale marker and orientation note.
- Collect and label trace evidence, recording each item in the evidence log.
- Examine a trace sample (fiber or hair) under magnification and describe it.
- Record one limitation of your documentation and one possible contamination source.
Lab report: Team scene packet: one photo with scale marker, scaled sketch with orientation, completed evidence log, microscopy sketch at two magnifications, and one contamination risk noted.
Submit on SchoologyUpload by 11:29 PM for full credit.
| Task | Who |
|---|---|
| Read the scene SOP and assign roles: photographer, sketcher, logger. | _______ |
| Photograph and sketch the scene with a scale marker and orientation note. | _______ |
| Collect and label trace evidence, recording each item in the evidence log. | _______ |
| Examine a trace sample (fiber or hair) under magnification and describe it. | _______ |
| Record one limitation of your documentation and one possible contamination source. | _______ |
Working solo? Put your own name in "Who" for every row.
- I can document a scene following an SOP with my team.
- I can describe trace evidence observed under magnification.
Resources & readings
Hand-picked materials for this lesson. Class file items open the document directly; the rest are vetted readings and interactives from other biomedical programs.
Lab & supplies
- • Treat all biological trace samples (hair, fiber) as potentially hazardous: wear gloves when handling and do not touch your face.
- • Used forceps must be placed in the designated container between uses; never lay them on the table surface.
- • Microscope slides are glass: handle with care; report any breakage immediately and use the sharps disposal container.
- • Evidence bags containing trace material must remain sealed after logging; do not open them without teacher direction.
- • Wash hands with soap and water after completing the trace-evidence station, even if gloves were worn.
- • Photograph equipment is shared: wipe down camera surfaces with a disinfectant wipe before and after use.
WebXam practice
Cumulative WebXam review
A quick mixed-review pulling questions from earlier units plus today, so the WebXam material stays fresh.
Where this leads — careers
What today's skills lead to. These are real health-science careers this course builds toward. Tap one to see, on the US Department of Labor's O*NET site, what the job actually involves, what it pays, and how fast it is growing.
What to do if you were absent
As a team, document a home-staged scene (photos, scale sketch, evidence log) and examine a fiber or hair using a virtual microscope, then submit a shared scene packet.
learn.genetics Cell Size and ScaleThen submit your Lab report on Schoology.
Class still runs. Complete the online activity above (it's self-guided). Need the concept taught without a teacher? Use this authoritative explainer:
Khan Academy: using the microscope (Cell biology)- CompleteEvery required part of the artifact is present, nothing left blank.
- AccurateThe science and the data are correct and match the evidence.
- Scientific reasoningYou explain your claim with evidence and reasoning (CER), not just an answer.
- Professional communicationClear, organized, labeled, and written the way a clinician or scientist would.
- SubmittedTurned in the right way (Schoology for routine work) and confirmed.
Drop your Wed, Sep 2, 2026 · Scene documentation lab here. Use a clear file name (your initials + project). Routine work still goes to Schoology (via the CMSD portal).
Upload a project