Forensic Science
Description
Participants take a written test of basic forensic science theory to qualify as semifinalists. Semifinalist teams will examine a mock crime scene and demonstrate their knowledge of forensic science and crime scene analysis. Students will be expected to survey the scene and use proper techniques to collect evidence from the mock crime scene. Students then will collect their data and perform a detailed written analysis of the crime scene.
See resources below
Redmond HS, Team 2, 2026 1st Place State, 2nd Place National
Tesla STEM HS, 2026 3rd Place National
Event Resources
EVENT EXAMPLES
Click on the links below to view past entries for this event.
Additional Resources
Crime scene documentation simplified
YouTube video - Forensics Expert Examines 20 Crime Scene Investigations from Film & TV
In the Dark podcasts - This podcast did a thorough follow up on forensics in their first and second seasons. It is worth listening to, in part, because their work went to the United States Supreme Court.
https://wsp.wa.gov/forensics/crimlabs.htm - Washington State Patrol Crime Lab materials are particularly good.
https://kingcounty.gov/depts/health/examiner/role.aspx - King County Medical Examiners office.
Crime scene investigators and techniques
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRRYBe12FEA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OONfQcGd-uE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YHTz66Jq0Dg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJcNa2-jprs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_gZ7CKKP3MY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0jltioeaEyY
FBI Interrogation techniques
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KfkOSYpMToo
FBI Interrogation techniques with Chris Voss. He has a bunch of fascinating videos on YouTube.
Event Deadlines
January 21, 2027
Students will need their Participant ID number, and password, from their advisor. Only the team captain will be able to upload the pdf file, but all students should take the test individually.
If you were called to this crime scene, what techniques would you demonstrate? Write up the crime scene using the Mock Crime Scene Analysis form, including a list of the techniques.
EACH/EVERY student on the team must also take the Forensics test. Students should complete the test without outside resources, in 1 hour. Each student should take the test individually.
April 2027
All students will take a forensic exam on Wednesday evening. Each student must bring a laptop that is capable of connecting to the wifi with a password. Students will have 1 hour for the exam. Individual scores will be averaged for team members.
Once tests are scored, a semifinalist list will be posted.
Semifinalists will analyze a crime scene on Thursday. Each team will have 45 minutes to analyze the crime scene, and write up their analysis, including notes, sketches, photos, etc.
At the conclusion of the event, teams that did not make semifinals will be able to see the crime scene for future reference.
Washington TSA Rules
To compete, students must:
Belong to a currently affiliated TSA chapter
Be registered (by their TSA advisor) for competition by December 18, 2026 ($35)
Compete in the January 21, 2027 virtual competition (see individual event pages for details)
Be selected as a top competitor in their event(s) and invited to participate at State
Number of competitors is dependent on specific event
Qualifying competitor lists will be published by February 7, 2027
State Conference registration week February 22-26, 2027 (see state conference page for details)
At the state level, 3 teams (may be a team of 1 at advisor’s discretion) per chapter may compete.
