Lesson 1: What is Time of Death
Duration of Days: 5
Lesson Objective
Students will be able to describe the physiological changes that occur after death and explain the underlying biological processes.
Students will be able to apply the principles of algor mortis, rigor mortis, and livor mortis to estimate the TOD.
Students will be able to analyze data from forensic investigations and draw conclusions about the TOD.
Students will be able to evaluate the limitations of different methods for estimating the TOD.
Students will be able to model the heat loss of a body, and explain how environmental factors affect it.
Why is it important to establish time of death?
How do you establish time of death?
How accurate are the results?
Rigor mortis
Liver mortis
Lividity
Forensic entomology
HS-LS1-2: Develop and use a model to illustrate the hierarchical organization of interacting systems that provide specific functions within multicellular organisms.
HS-LS1-3: Plan and conduct an investigation to provide evidence that feedback mechanisms maintain homeostasis.
HS-LS1-7: Use a model to illustrate that cellular respiration is a chemical process whereby the bonds of food molecules and oxygen molecules are broken and the bonds in new compounds are formed, resulting in a net transfer of energy.
HS-ETS1-2: Design a solution to a complex real-world problem by breaking it down into smaller, more manageable problems that can be solved through engineering.
Science and Engineering Practices:
Developing and Using Models
Planning and Carrying Out Investigations
Analyzing and Interpreting Data
Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions
Engaging in Argument from Evidence
Crosscutting Concepts:
Cause and Effect
Systems and System Models
Energy and Matter
Mathematical connections
Computational thinking
Day 1: Introduction to Time of Death and Postmortem Changes
Activity:
Introduce the concept of TOD and its importance in forensic investigations.
Discuss the basic physiological processes that cease after death.
Introduce the main postmortem changes: algor mortis, rigor mortis, livor mortis, and decomposition.
Show a short video or presentation illustrating these changes.
Begin a class discussion on factors that might affect these changes.
Assessment: Informal questioning, class discussion.
Ted Bundy victims.
The difference between time of death and post mortem interval.
Provide differentiated case studies with varying levels of complexity.
Offer visual aids and graphic organizers for students with learning disabilities.
Provide opportunities for advanced students to conduct independent research or explore advanced topics in forensic science.
Allow students to present information in multiple ways. (written, oral, visual)
Conduct a summative assessment using slightly changed phenomena.
Book
Ted Bundy documentary
When Did She Die lab