Forensic Chemistry: Mysterious Powder and Maggots

Today, we discovered how to identify unknown white powders! Using known samples, we were able to identify the unknown by comparing the reactions of the powder when exposed to different things such as heat, hydrochloric acid, and silver nitrate just to name off a few.

During this lab, we discovered that one of the powders, when exposed to heat, melts and smells like roasted marshmallows! Of course, then we all wanted roasted marshmallows for lunch, but unfortunately, they were not on the menu.

We also got our maggots today. We are going to observe their life cycle because, in murder cases, this life cycle is used to help determine a time of death. Some of the kids have even given their maggots names!

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