Page 6 - Strands of Evidence Hair And Fiber

Teaching

Timeline

GROUNDWORK
Before conducting this laboratory exercise, the details of The Investigation should be shared with the class to
provide the context of the crime. Covering this material once should be sufficient for all laboratory modules.

DAY 1

Cover background material for Hair and Fiber Analysis
Distribute lab procedures.

Assign pre-lab questions for homework.

DAY 2

Set up lab with at least six microscopes, one per lab group, however, two per lab group is
recommended. Ensure 500 mL beakers, 500 mL Erlenmeyer flasks, funnels, and filter paper are
available.

Review the hair and fiber identification sheet, the lab procedure, and the hair and fiber data collection
sheets with students. It is imperative that students understand the process they will follow to properly
analyze the hair and fiber samples given to them and keep collections from different sources separate.

Instruct students to follow the lab procedure to process the samples collected from the truck.

If time permits, instruct students to process the samples collected from the cabin.

DAY 3

If samples from the cabin were not processed the previous day, begin by processing them.
Introduce the samples from the suspects as if they have just recently arrived from New Mexico
authorities. Instruct students to follow the lab procedure to process these samples.

Hold a discussion with the class about what conclusions can be drawn when comparing samples from
the three collections.

6 THE MYSTERY OF LYLE AND LOUISE