The Black Market: Unraveling Illegal Organ Trade Operations – Forensic Science Reading Comprehension Worksheet

Engage your students with this powerful reading comprehension worksheet, delving into the complexities of forensic science and its role in dismantling illegal organ trafficking networks. Focused on forensic investigations, this worksheet uses real-world examples to explore the black market for organs, the forensic techniques used to trace illegal transplants, and the ethical dilemmas surrounding this dark industry. Students will learn how forensic scientists analyze medical records, perform DNA tests, and work with international agencies to identify victims and prosecute traffickers in a global fight for justice.

What’s Inside:

• Reading Passage: Detailed, easy-to-follow information about the organ black market, forensic methods, and ethical challenges, including a case study on the notorious Kosovo organ trafficking scandal.
• Primary Source Excerpt: Quotes from reports by the World Health Organization and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.
• Questions & Answer Key: Multiple-choice, matching, fill-in-the-blank, and short-answer questions that encourage critical thinking and reinforce key forensic concepts.
• Learning Objectives:
  • Understand the role of forensic science in investigating and prosecuting illegal organ trafficking.
  • Identify the forensic techniques, including DNA testing, used to trace the origin of harvested organs.
  • Discuss the ethical and legal challenges posed by organ trafficking.

Standards and Suggested Courses:

• Common Core Standards

  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.9-10.2: Determine central ideas of a text and analyze its development.
  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.11-12.4: Determine the meaning of symbols, key terms, and other domain-specific words.

• Suggested Courses

  • Forensic Science
  • Criminology
  • Biology

Perfect for high school and college courses, this worksheet is a great tool for deeper learning, helping students connect forensic science concepts to pressing global issues. Use it as a standalone lesson, homework, or sub plans to spark thoughtful discussions on crime, ethics, and justice.

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