Fandom High School

Today's classroom was lined with lab benches, complete with stools and high-tech equipment.

"For this last workshop, we're going to be talking DNA," said Mohinder, standing, sleeves rolled up, at the front of the lab. "Our complete genetic blueprint can be found from a discarded cigarette or a torn out hair; blood, skin, saliva - everyone in this classroom will have left a trail between here and wherever they woke."

"As a species humans have remarkably similar DNA profiles, with only specific areas varying between individuals. From that there's the possibility of identifying biological traits from a person's genetics," he continued, explaining the mechanisms behind genetic testing, veering off into bioinformatics before dragging himself back on topic with a cough.

"But today isn't the time to go into that detail," he said, picking up a swab. "You all have these." Mohinder brushed the inside of his mouth, collecting a sample. "And these instructions to try your hand at finding your own profiles."

"Good luck," Mohinder sat down, saying, "And it's been a pleasure teaching you."

[OCD is here!]

"Counterfeiting is, fortunately, no longer likely to see the perpetrater burned alive or hung, drawn and quartered," Mohinder told the class cheerfully. "Despite the sizable range of goods and money forged today - stamps, coins and banknotes, artwork, music, as well as drugs both medical and illegal."

"It's a lucrative market and there are as many attempts to forestall copies - digital coding in music, holograms and strips in banknotes," said Mohinder, holding up a note in one hand, "As there methods for detecting fakes. Of course," he shrugged, flicking open a lighter with the other, "knowing the fake burns with a different flame," and lit the banknote, "can be less than helpful."

Dropping the note in a glass of water, Mohinder stood up and began passing out documents and parcels, summarising the details of document testing. "You'll want to take note of the details - handwriting or printing traits, stamps, postmarks, inks that don't match the rest of the document, details that are ahistorical - words that weren't yet coined, sketches of objects that didn't yet exist." He settled back at his desk, smiling, "After all, you wouldn't want to make the same mistakes."

[OCD is up!]

Mohinder stood by the classroom door, handing out earmuffs as the students walked in. "You'll need these. But not until after the lecture."

The Dangershop resembled an open field. Mohinder leaned back against a table with an assorted range of projectiles - and a pyramid of limes - while a range of targets littered the near and middle distance. "How many of you have fired a gun?" he asked, looking around for a show of hands before continuing. "Ballistics is where we study projectiles. This usually means identify the gun or bullets by impact pattern, bullet path or striation of the cartridge or casing. The bullet's shape, composition, calibre and casings can all help find not only the type of gun, but the weapon itself." Mohinder carried on in more detail.

"There are targets," Mohinder pointed them out - round and humanoid, "And weapons." An array of handguns, crossbows and slingshots as well as things totally moddable that were more sports-related - javelin, discus, hammer and a tennis pitching machine. "Take a look at the damage, the identify marks that they leave behind. And I hope I don't need to say this, but be careful with these."

OCD is up!

"Good morning," Mohinder said, sitting on the desk at the front of the classroom. He looked round at the students, noting new and familiar faces. "I am Dr Mohinder Suresh, instructor for this forensics-based workshop, and the TA is Adah Price," he said, nodding at her assuming she's there. But to start, I'd like to know who I'm teaching. Your name, when and where you were before Fandom, and your most useful tool in an investigation."

After the introductions were complete, Mohinder continued in this vain. "Applying science to an investigation follows certain procedures. We need to be sure of what is - the weapon was this gun, he was there then, this document came from that printer."

"With that in mind, write a short physical descriptions of someone in Fandom." Mohinder pointed at the sketchpads lying on the desks. "Then sketch from each others' descriptions. How accurate a picture can you make?"

[OCD is up!]