Mystery Cells Journal

Detective:Type Name Here

Scene:

Westview Community

2021 Sixth Grade Lane

Camarillo, CA 93010

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Setting:

Apartment 6E (ground floor unit)

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The Worrywarts decided to take their family on a much needed trip during Spring Break. Wanda and Peter were excited about visiting Disney World! Mr. Worrywart was concerned about leaving their apartment unoccupied while they were on vacation, so Mrs. Worrywart arranged to have some family friends stop by to check on things until they returned. Unfortunately, when the family arrived home Sunday, they were shocked to find their home was a disaster and all of their valuables were gone!! Mr. Worrywart immediately called 911. When the police arrived, they began to examine the crime scene. It appeared to be a robbery, but no obvious clues to let them know who it could have been! There were no signs of forced entry, and there were no unusual fingerprints that could not be accounted for. It is possible that the perpetrator used gloves to leave no traces of evidence.

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Ventura County’s forensic sciences lab was called in to examine the scene, but they need your help! Forensic testing is used in labs all across the US and many other countries. A forensic scientist or specialist collects traces of evidence, most times not immediately visible or obvious to the naked eye. The evidence they examine is usually small but still in measurable amounts of physical or biological material. Forensic specialists can use laboratory tests that can help tell who was at the crime scene, from anything like a drop of blood to a single strand of hair, even when it seems there is no evidence left behind by the culprits. All forensic scientists need is biological evidence to work with; often, there is little to almost no material left at a scene of a crime.

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Luckily for the Worrywart family, several different pieces of trace evidence and cells were found at the crime scene and have been collected as evidence. This evidence is from the bags the culprit seemed to use to carry the valuables out of the Worrywarts home. Investigators believe that since the bags were heavy, they had to be dragged across the floor leaving traces of evidence. They also found footprints outside the apartment that left evidence from the bottom of the culprit’s shoes.

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Your help is needed to identify the origin of the evidence, classify it, and later, record your findings in a Forensic Lab Report that will be used in the court proceedings.

Evidence Notice and Wonder

The Suspects:

Mr. J.Birdman

Suspect: Mr. J. Birdman

Hair Color: Brown

Eye Color: Brown

Height: 180 cm

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Personal Belongings:

The suspect was wearing a black t-shirt, blue jeans, a Dodgers baseball cap, and black Nike tennis shoes that were covered in dirt and grass from a nearby field. He was wearing a gold watch and a leather wallet containing $13.56. The suspect was also in the possession of a salami and cheese sandwich with lettuce, onions, and a container of hummus. The suspect had a large cotton bag that had scuff marks on the bottom. The suspect was also observed to have a bandage and seemingly new cut on his arm.

Dr. Roland Thunder

Suspect: Dr. Rolland Thunder

Hair Color: Black

Eye Color: Brown

Height: 178 cm

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Personal Belongings:

The suspect was wearing a blue Dodgers shirt, tan cargo shorts, and white Nike tennis shoes that look recently soiled with grass stains. He was wearing a gold ring, a black leather band watch, and a leather wallet containing $24.90. The suspect was in the possession of a large roast beef sandwich, a side salad, and a small glass container of almonds that had a chip in it. The suspect had a large plastic bag that had scuff marks on the bottom. The suspect also recently celebrated an anniversary with his wife where he gave her a big bouquet of flowers.

Ms. Holdjafer Ransom

Suspect: Ms. Holdjafer Ransom

Hair Color: Blonde

Eye Color: Blue

Height: 173 cm

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Personal Belongings:

The suspect was wearing a black blouse, black pants, and black shoes that were wet from the suspect walking through the local pond. She was wearing gold earrings, a diamond bracelet, and a small leather purse containing $6.75. The suspect was in the possession of a large tossed salad and a ripped plastic baggie of turkey jerky. The suspect had a large cotton tote bag that had scuff marks on the bottom. The suspect is also known to have a serious lollipop habit.

Thinking About Our Suspects