Observational Skills and deductive reasoning

Using the statements:
If it is Friday, then I will get paid.
It is Friday.
Write the conclusion.

• It is not Friday
• It is Friday
• I will not get paid
• I will get paid

Using the Law of Syllogism, which of the following completes the statement to form a valid conclusion?
If it is snowing heavily, then school will be canceled.
If school is canceled, the big test will not be given today.
It is snowing heavily, then...

• Look out for the snowplows while driving to school.
• The big test will not be given today.
• The roads will be hard to drive on.
• You should call the school to see if school is canceled.

Investigators must discriminate between ________ and __________

• good /bad

• black/white

• fact/opinion

• dead/alive

All of the following are ways to improve our observational skills except 

• be sure to look at the entire area, not just the body, weapons, or signs of break in

• observe everything no matter how big or small

• when collecting evidence, record only those things that you are sure are important

• write down and photograph everything you find.

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS1-3

a person who has seen someone or something and can communicate these facts

• eyewitness

• scientist

• detective

• victim

interpreting information received from the senses

• opinion

• perception

• logical

• fact

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-8

deriving the consequences from the facts using a series of logical steps

• logical

• deductive reasoning

• analytical skills

• observation

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS3-2

NGSS.HS-LS4-4

Perception

• is faulty

• is not always accurate

• does not always reflect reality

• all of these choices

relating the application of science to law/the criminal justice system

• Forensics
• Forensic Science
• Forensic Investigator
• CSI Effect

A good observer should...

• observe quickly

• leave documentation to someone else

• jump to conclusions

• observe systematically