Crime Busters B

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Re: Crime Busters B

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I have a question about powders regarding mixtures. Will it be indicated whether something is a mixture or not (ie. Labelled something like "Mix") or will it be just stated as being a powder and we have to figure out if it is a mixture? At our regional competition, the mixture was labeled "Mix," which was convenient for my partner and I, but will the same thing be done at States? This is my first time doing mixtures, as our version of the event last year did not include mixtures. :P
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Re: Crime Busters B

Post by chalker »

daydreamer0023 wrote:I have a question about powders regarding mixtures. Will it be indicated whether something is a mixture or not (ie. Labelled something like "Mix") or will it be just stated as being a powder and we have to figure out if it is a mixture? At our regional competition, the mixture was labeled "Mix," which was convenient for my partner and I, but will the same thing be done at States? This is my first time doing mixtures, as our version of the event last year did not include mixtures. :P
Since it's not explicitly addressed in the rules, issues like this will be up to the individual event supervisor.

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Re: Crime Busters B

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chalker wrote:
daydreamer0023 wrote:I have a question about powders regarding mixtures. Will it be indicated whether something is a mixture or not (ie. Labelled something like "Mix") or will it be just stated as being a powder and we have to figure out if it is a mixture? At our regional competition, the mixture was labeled "Mix," which was convenient for my partner and I, but will the same thing be done at States? This is my first time doing mixtures, as our version of the event last year did not include mixtures. :P
Since it's not explicitly addressed in the rules, issues like this will be up to the individual event supervisor.
Based on what you have encountered in past competitions, what has been done?
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Re: Crime Busters B

Post by Skink »

It's reasonable enough to expect mixtures to be labeled as such*; I see it all the time. As for how much that actually helps you, I'm unsure. You can tell for many combinations that it's a mixture.

*a good reason for supervisors to do this, aside from being nice, is so that you, as a participant, know that they don't exceed the maximum amount of mixtures that they can give you at your competition level. You can always ask them, too, and see what they say if mixtures are not labeled as such.
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Re: Crime Busters B

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Skink wrote:It's reasonable enough to expect mixtures to be labeled as such*; I see it all the time. As for how much that actually helps you, I'm unsure. You can tell for many combinations that it's a mixture.

*a good reason for supervisors to do this, aside from being nice, is so that you, as a participant, know that they don't exceed the maximum amount of mixtures that they can give you at your competition level. You can always ask them, too, and see what they say if mixtures are not labeled as such.

Thank you so much! :)
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Re: Crime Busters B

Post by boomvroomshroom »

samlan16 wrote:
drcubbin wrote:Ah yes, I see that. Much appreciated. I was asking because Rule 2. c. iii. states that "the supervisor may provide candle and matches if fibers given." So fibers may be burned during the competition. Am I interpreting this correctly? :roll:
Yes, that is correct, and hair may be burned as well.
Depends on the competition grounds. In both Div. B Crimebusters and C Forensics, I've been in situations where a) the particular room on that campus did not allow open flames (which really slowed down flame tests for powders) or b) the proctor didn't read the rules and never requested it. It's helpful to learn multiple identification methods (such as using a microscope, or, if you're desperate, by touch and texture alone) in case the event runners are irresponsible - which doesn't normally happen, but I like to prepare for the worst. Every year, there's always someone who got pulled in at the last minute and has never done something like this before.
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Re: Crime Busters B

Post by Panda Weasley »

My partner and I are feeling really confident about this event based on regionals, and we aren't really sure what to do during practices to get ready for state besides practicing mystery powders and other topics over and over. Does anyone who has had state already have any advice?
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Re: Crime Busters B

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Panda Weasley wrote:My partner and I are feeling really confident about this event based on regionals, and we aren't really sure what to do during practices to get ready for state besides practicing mystery powders and other topics over and over. Does anyone who has had state already have any advice?
Hey, I have States coming up in about a week, so I might not be able to give too much advice, but I would suggest practicing more mixtures. Now that we are in States, they can throw in three powder combinations instead of just two, and there will be 2-4 of them. Faster analysis would be better too; the minimum will be 10 powders, which means you need to analyze more in the same time frame AND save time for the analysis.
If the event leaders really wanted to test you, I bet they would throw in talc or something that doesn't have a "stand out quality" into a mixture just to see if you can identify it, but I can't say for sure because I have never gone to state level on Crime Busters before. I live in NC, so our rules are slightly altered in that we only do powders, chromatography and tire tracks/shoe prints. :? I hope this helps, though! :)
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Re: Crime Busters B

Post by Panda Weasley »

daydreamer0023 wrote:
Panda Weasley wrote:My partner and I are feeling really confident about this event based on regionals, and we aren't really sure what to do during practices to get ready for state besides practicing mystery powders and other topics over and over. Does anyone who has had state already have any advice?
Hey, I have States coming up in about a week, so I might not be able to give too much advice, but I would suggest practicing more mixtures. Now that we are in States, they can throw in three powder combinations instead of just two, and there will be 2-4 of them. Faster analysis would be better too; the minimum will be 10 powders, which means you need to analyze more in the same time frame AND save time for the analysis.
If the event leaders really wanted to test you, I bet they would throw in talc or something that doesn't have a "stand out quality" into a mixture just to see if you can identify it, but I can't say for sure because I have never gone to state level on Crime Busters before. I live in NC, so our rules are slightly altered in that we only do powders, chromatography and tire tracks/shoe prints. :? I hope this helps, though! :)
Ok thanks for this information! Just FYI Talc is not on the list of powders this year. I'm not sure if that was just a slip of mind since it has been previously, but I thought I would go ahead and let you know.
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Re: Crime Busters B

Post by vivian_t »

I have a question regarding the mixed powders. My school is unable to provide all of the materials needed for the competition so we can't test the mixed powder reactions. I tried to look around for some sources online, but most of it only covers the one-powder part. If there are two powders I can try to wing it and give an educated guess but on the rules it said "4a. At the state level, teams will have 15-18 unknowns and may have at least two mixtures containing 2-3 of the solids with asterisks." With three powders mix in, you have to be extra precise. Does anyone know any links or pages that can link me to a chart with two-three powders mix? Thank you, help is much appreciated! :D
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