Powder Analysis – Forensic Science for Kids
Powder Test is a fun forensic science experiment where a kind of powder was found at the crime scene. This one test would give us further links. We have to conduct a powder analysis to find what it was that was found at the crime scene. This is necessary to deduce the crime.
Safety First! Adult Supervision Required. Wear safety goggles where ever required
Materials and tools required for the Experiment
Materials from your Kitchen / Home
- Food Color
- Pipette
- Spoons
- Plastic Cups : 3
- Salt
- Sugar
- Water
Youtube Video for the Experiment
Images & Step by Step for Instructions for Experiment
Step 1: Take a little powder from each sample and place it on the slide.
Step 2: Take a magnifying glass and check if it looks like crystals or not
Step 3: Add some of the sample to water and stir it.
Step 4: Now, Add some sample into a bowl of vinegar and observe the reaction.
Step 5: Take a little sample out of the container and feel the texture.
Step 6: Place some of the sample on the slide and figure out if there is any smell.
Step 7: Record all the data on the recording sheet.
Powder Analysis :
In this experiment, you conduct various tests on the powder that was found from the crime scene.
The various tests are:
Appearance: Examine what each powder looks like. How would you describe the powder’s shape (crystalline/amorphous)? For e.g. Sugar is crystalline.
Texture: Examine the powders further by rubbing each powder between your fingers. For e.g. Flour is smooth.
Smell: Determine if there is a smell to any of the powders. For e.g. Talc has a particular smell.
Water solubility test: Dissolve some of the white powder in water and observe its solubility. For e.g. Salt Dissolves in water.
Reaction with Vinegar: Dissolve some of the white powder in Vinegar and observe its solubility. For e.g. Baking soda reacts with vinegar.
Other Recommended Forensic Experiments for Kids ( Click to Read)
- Hair Analysis
- Finger Print Test
- Blood Splatter
- Foot Print Analysis
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