Frank H.
Reviewed in the United States on February 26, 2025
This kit was a fantastic find for me as a true crime enthusiast and lover of all things forensic science! This kit lets you step into the shoes of a real investigator by learning to make a detailed, permanent cast of a footprint left in dirt. It comes with everything you need, from two 2-pound bags of casting powder to a plastic casting container, a bottle of dirt hardener, and a set of evidence labels. There’s even an activity insert that walks you through the process, providing fascinating background on the techniques used by forensic experts. It was a blast trying out something that actual crime scene investigators do in the field!The instructions were clear and made the whole process easy to follow, even for a beginner. After preparing the area and adding a bit of the dirt hardener, I was able to pour the casting powder mixture into the footprint. Watching the print turn into a solid cast that can be compared against other shoeprints was incredibly satisfying! The kit even includes a small container for the casting process, but fair warning – it doesn’t provide any kind of barrier or edge to stop the mixture from spreading into other low points in the area. This could have been a little operator error on my part, but things did get a bit messy as the mixture spread out a bit. So, make sure to work in an area where you don’t mind getting things a little dirty.Another cool aspect is that it includes one year of free “detective access” to their virtual environment. I haven’t fully explored the website yet, but I checked, and it’s active and seems like a fun way to learn even more about forensic techniques. I think it’s a great addition, especially for people who want to take their detective skills to the next level.Overall, I would definitely recommend this kit to anyone aged 16 and up with an interest in forensics or crime-solving. It’s not just for teens – I think anyone who’s curious about how investigators analyze crime scenes would enjoy this. Despite the minor messiness, it was a lot of fun, and I ended up with a cool cast of a footprint that I can actually use to compare with other prints. The ForensiKit really does a great job of replicating the tools and techniques used by professionals, making it an engaging, hands-on learning experience. Five stars!