CSI Whitechapel

This Triple Crossed activity, from the Centre for Science Education and supported by the Astra Zeneca Teaching Trust, follows on from the Jack the Ripper: Whitechapel 1888 activity. Students consider what the police investigators of 1888 would have been able to discover if they had had access to the forensic science the police use today.

Students are provided with evidence ranging from blood groups to pollen sample and asked to investigate six suspects to identify who they think was Jack. With that in mind they are then asked to consider the ethical issues surrounding capital punishment and participate in a structured debate.

Students are encouraged to construct a reasoned argument concerning capital punishment. The activity ends with a self-assessment sheet through which students can evaluate what they have learned and the evidence they have used to argue their case.

The activity sheet is accompanied by a set of teachers' notes and teachers' tools comprising debate role cards and 'for' and 'against' information sheets.