Detective Science: 40 Crime-Solving, Case-Breaking, Crook-Catching Activities for Kids [Paperback]

Jim Wiese (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 9 and up | Grade Level: 4 and up

Children/Science

Become a super science sleuth with . . .

Detective Science

40 Crime-Solving, Case-Breaking, Crook-Catching Activities for Kids

Search for evidence, gather clues, and discover how science can help solve a mystery. From dusting for fingerprints to analyzing handwriting, these easy, fun-filled activities give you a firsthand look at how detectives and forensic scientists use science to solve real-life crimes.

Make a plaster cast of a shoe. Identify lip prints left on a glass. Examine hair and clothing fibers. Practice chemistry to identify mystery substances, and much more.

In no time at all, you'll be thinking like a detective and performing experiments like a real forensic scientist!

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

An elementary introduction to such concepts as forensics, voice-prints and DNA testing, Detective Science: 40 Crime-Solving, Case-Breaking, Crook-Catching Activities for Kids by Jim Wiese shows how detectives and forensic experts use science to do their jobs. Through a variety of easy, at-home experiments, readers learn how to take and analyze fingerprints, identify blood and detect counterfeit bills. With black-and-white illustrations by Ed Shems. (Wiley, $12.95 paper 128p ages 8-12 ISBN 0-471-11980-6 Mar.)
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-7?Wiese offers readers the opportunity to delve into the world of crime detection and forensic science. Through 40 projects and experiments, youngsters are encouraged to develop their skills of observation and creative thinking; investigate the scene of a crime; analyze evidence by means of chemistry; use biology to learn more about a crime; and analyze documents to solve it. Each project includes an introduction, a materials list, step-by-step procedures, questions, and an explanation. For many of the projects there is also a "More Fun Stuff to Do" section for extending the investigation. Notes on the need for adult help and safety cautions appear in bold print. Scattered throughout the text are "Detective Science in Action" inserts that relate the science principles behind an activity to its use in solving real-life crimes. Robert Sheely's Police Lab (Silver Moon, 1993) and Robert Gardner's Crime Lab 101 (Walker, 1992) also explore crime-detection methods, but the range of projects and Wiese's clear, lively writing make his book a particularly fine choice for this audience. It will be a valuable addition to collections where science activities are in demand, especially where Wiese's Roller Coaster Science (1994) and Rocket Science (1995, both Wiley) are popular.?Carolyn Angus, The Claremont Graduate School, CA
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 1 edition (February 6, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0471119806
• ISBN-13: 978-0471119807
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 7 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #36,329 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Buy this book!, March 14, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Detective Science: 40 Crime-Solving, Case-Breaking, Crook-Catching Activities for Kids (Paperback)

This book contains fantastic activities that can easily be done inside a classroom. They are easy to understand and lots of fun for kids. I developed a mystery unit using this book, and my students loved it.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Science experiement book? I'd say so!, February 7, 2010

By 

S. Donohue (Boston) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Detective Science: 40 Crime-Solving, Case-Breaking, Crook-Catching Activities for Kids (Paperback)

This book, along with all of Jim Wiese's books, are a complete essential for any science teacher, curious adult, curious kid, student who has to complete a science project, or parent of a student who has to complete a science project.

I can't say enough about this line of books. When I taught biology, I used ideas in these books to run experiments in my classroom. One of my students lifted fingerprints off of tin foil via the method outlined in this book, I created an ink chromatography lab based on a lab in this book. My stories connected to these books are endless.

And I revently turned my friend who teaches elementary school onto these books. He's bought every one- more than the three I have. Rollercoaster Science looks neat. My favorite is Detective Science, then Magic Science. He's bought ones I didn't know exised and is starting a science club, which no doubt will revolve around these books. He did a fingerprinting activity in class last week, which sent the kids into a frenzy! They thought it was the coolest!

You'll never regret getting this book or any others from Jim Wiese. I only wish I had them when I was a kid!!!

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book for elementary and middle school aged-children, September 25, 2011

By 

Hotep1978 - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Detective Science: 40 Crime-Solving, Case-Breaking, Crook-Catching Activities for Kids (Paperback)

I initially got the book from the library and liked it so much that I decided to purchase it. The activities are a great introduction to the types of observations that need to be made at crime scenes. If you are teaching in a classroom, afterschool program, or a summer camp, you can teach the children the techniques then set up a faux crime scene for the children to gather evidence and solve the crime