Putting a Face on History with Forensic Science

Have you ever wondered, when a skull is found, how experts determine what the person looked like when they were alive?

Thanks to a generous grant from the Snoqualmie Valley Schools Foundation, our students are learning real-world scientific techniques used by experts through a memorable hands-on lesson in Forensic Anthropology. With Career-Connected Classroom education kits purchased from KIMSeattle, our students are introduced to Facial Reconstruction. In authentic laboratory lessons, students take on a career role at the intersection of art and science while being exposed to a myriad of related occupations. 

This engaging lesson is based on the recent real-life discovery of King Richard III’s remains. Students literally put a “face on history” while learning cranial anatomy (with life-size bones, craniometric landmarks, facial muscles and facial structures) and using durable polymer clay to represent soft tissue. Bonus: these kits are reusable, so the number of students benefiting from this investment will increase over time.

"This grant for facial reconstruction is growing the program in a huge way - students get to learn about the many careers involved and also experience a real-life, hands-on activity that so few schools offer. It continues to put Mount Si at the top of its game both statewide and nationally! We couldn't have done this with our budget, and I can't thank SVSF enough," explained Mount Si Forensics & Criminal Justice Teacher Liz Steiner.

As a Career & Technical Education (CTE) course, the classes also discussed the broad range of careers that use 3D Reconstruction. In addition to artists and anthropologists, related careers include medical examiners, coroners, CT/X-ray/ultrasound techs, clinical researchers, anatomists, statisticians, lab techs, law enforcement, medical illustrators, science writers, and others.

When asked what students thought of this lesson, three commented:

• “I really liked it! I’d seen a documentary film where they dug up a skeleton and used a similar process to see what the person looked like when they were alive – so I liked having the chance to try it myself. Also, I'm interested in art and history, and this combines both.”
• “I want to be a criminal lawyer so this will be useful.”
• “I’m interested in both art and science, so I like that this involves both and is used in a variety of careers.”

Through SVSF contributions, Snoqualmie Valley students now have this amazing opportunity: to analyze soft-tissue re-creation, learn the importance of reconstruction in the identification process, and explore compelling careers they may not have previously considered. Thanks to all who donate to the Snoqualmie Valley Schools Foundation (svsfoundation.org).