The Ghost Ship Fire: Forensic Evidence in Fire Investigation – Forensic Science Reading Comprehension Worksheet

Introduce your students to the intense field of forensic fire investigation with this reading comprehension worksheet on the tragic 2016 Ghost Ship warehouse fire. This worksheet uses real-world investigative techniques to uncover the complexities behind one of California's deadliest fires. Students will explore how forensic experts analyzed burn patterns, tested for accelerants, and investigated building safety violations to determine the cause and legal accountability in this harrowing case.

What’s Inside:

• Reading Passage: A detailed account of the Ghost Ship fire, including fire investigation techniques, safety hazards, and the ethical and legal questions that arose from the tragedy.
• Primary Source Excerpt: A powerful survivor testimony on the lack of safety features in the building.
• Questions & Answer Key: Engaging multiple-choice, matching, fill-in-the-blank, and short-answer questions designed to deepen understanding and encourage critical thinking.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify the steps involved in forensic fire investigation, from finding the point of origin to testing for accelerants.
• Analyze how unsafe building conditions contributed to the rapid spread and tragic outcomes of the fire.
• Explore the ethical and legal responsibilities in fire safety, focusing on how negligence can impact public safety.

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
• Fire Science
• Criminal Justice

This worksheet serves as a great tool for deeper learning, critical thinking, and discussion on fire safety, forensic science, and legal responsibility. Perfect for a full lesson, homework assignment, or sub plans, it allows students to engage with real forensic methods while exploring ethical dimensions in fire investigation.

Ready to unlock your students' critical thinking potential? Explore my store for a treasure trove of reading comprehensions that tackle diverse themes and inspire insightful discussions. From historical mysteries to scientific explorations, there's something for every classroom!

Support a fellow educator and get rewarded! Purchase this resource, leave a review, and earn TeachShare credits you can use on any product on the platform. Your feedback helps others and benefits you too!

Related Products

Crime Scene Investigations

• Unleash your students' inner detectives with this engaging bundle of 10 forensic science investigations. Each case includes detailed evidence, witness statements, and guided questions to challenge critical thinking and analytical skills.

Cults and Crime: Forensic Science Reading Comprehension Bundle

• Explore how forensic science uncovers the hidden agendas of notorious cults with this 10-worksheet bundle. Each worksheet delves into real-life cult cases, using forensic evidence to solve crimes and deepen students’ understanding of criminal investigations.

Forensic Mysteries

• Unleash the CSI in your students! Explore 10 real-life forensic mysteries with this captivating reading comprehension bundle!

Forensic Files 

• Unleash the detective within your students with this captivating bundle of 12 reading comprehension worksheets that explore the diverse wonders of forensic science!

Forensic Case Files

• Become crime scene detectives! Captivating forensic science cases through reading comprehension, igniting critical thinking skills.

Menendez Brothers Case Bundle

• Immerse your students in the infamous Menendez Brothers case with 10 detailed worksheets that explore forensic evidence, trial drama, and psychological insights, perfect for fostering critical thinking and comprehension.

Serial Killer Reading Bundle

• Unravel the chilling narratives of history's most infamous serial killers with this in-depth reading comprehension bundle!

Unsolved Mysteries Reading Bundle 

• Unravel the mysteries of true crime with 10 engaging reading comprehension worksheets, fostering critical thinking and analysis of real-world cases.