TY Forensic Workshop

Today, our Transition Year students took part in an engaging JFK Forensic Fun Workshop. The session began with a brief recap of the events surrounding the assassination. Presenter Patrick then guided students through ten evidence stations, explaining each exhibit and what they were examining. Armed with worksheets, students spent about an hour gathering evidence—and quickly realized there were serious questions about the official verdict! Some of the key questions they explored included: Backyard Photo – Is it genuine or not? Students even recreated Oswald’s famous pose with the rifle and newspapers for a photo opportunity. Fingerprints – They took their own prints and investigated who might have left the unidentified fingerprint found on the sixth floor. Ballistics – If the “magic bullet” was planted, why? Students learned about striations and discovered the critical differences between a semi-automatic pistol and a revolver. Gunshot Residue (GSR) – They replicated the test performed on Lee Harvey Oswald and compared their results to the original—revealing some inconsistencies. Autopsy Report – Students examined the official report, compared the average human brain weight to JFK’s reported brain weight, and asked the big question: Where is JFK’s brain now? Finally, students regrouped to piece together their findings. They ended the workshop with more questions than they started with! This hands-on workshop was packed with props and resources, making it an enjoyable and thought-provoking experience for all.