Thames & Kosmos Master Detective Toolkit Review

Reviewed by Louise Totton

Science has come a long way over the last 20-25 years, so it naturally follows on that science kits have too. They are so much varied and interesting than when I was pestering my mum and dad for one, and back then, the only options were chemistry sets. These days, there are all manner of different kits available that span the whole range of science subjects, from electronics kits to geology to chemistry and even forensic sciences.

My eldest daughter’s school recently held a forensic science day, where the kids and their parents were charged with solving a crime based on a crime scene and various clues as well as having the opportunity to try out different forensic techniques. We did everything from securing a crime scene and sifting through evidence through to handwriting and ink analysis, to footprint comparisons, fingerprinting and note taking and alibi checking. It was a superb day and my daughter loved it and it seems to have sparked a genuine interest for her in forensic science and detective work.

Thames & Kosmos actually have a range dedicated solely to forensic science and the choice of products is extensive. What I really like about the Thames and Kosmos ranges is that they make small, inexpensive starter sets that give kids the chance to try out a new stand of science very cheaply, as well as more expensive and involved kits for when something really piques their interest. The Three Detectives range includes five of the ‘mini’ kits, including UV light codes, cryptology and listening bugs at £9.99, as well as a more involved and thorough Master Detective kit at £36.

We were sent the Master Detective kit for Abigail to try out, which was perfect for her as she had already experienced a range of forensic techniques at school and was chomping at the bit to try some out for herself. This kit contains all a budding forensic scientist would ever need to get cracking on solving crimes, as well as an instruction and experiments guide, all contained in a sold plastic briefcase. The set contains twenty-four items for crime-solving, including:

• Barrier tape
• Fingerprint powder
• Fingerprint tape
• UV Light
• Plaster powder for taking footprints
• Ink
• Forceps
• Petri dish
• Test tubes

The instruction manual is set out as a detective’s guide, walking the would-be forensic scientist through a crime from the beginning. They will start off with simple tasks like making their detective’s doorplate and ID badge before moving on to some real detective work; their first case is a jewellery store robbery, but as they move through the book, there are many different crimes to crack and forensic techniques to practice. As well as bog-standard observation, they will soon be placing invisible door seals, learning about following and pursuing suspects and cordoning off crime scenes.

We have had great fun, with the kids drawing around each other’s ‘bodies’ with chalk on the patio, taking fingerprints from plastic boxes and even casting footprints in plaster to preserve them for court! My eldest has been walking around the house and garden with a real air of suspicion and authority, carrying her notebook and pencil and questioning everyone about their whereabouts at the time that the last chocolate muffin went missing, and has resorted to fingerprinting the plastic container they were stored in to try to catch the guilty party (spoiler alert – it was her little sister!). One of the things that I really liked about this kit is that the component parts actually do work. We were able to life some good quality fingerprints from the plastic box, and she thoroughly enjoyed the painstaking task of comparing everyone in the house’s prints to the ones she had lifted.

One of our other favourite activities was the invisible ink activity, whereby we used the special pen that comes with the toolkit alongside the UV light. I remember doing something similar when I was a child using lemon juice and a hot iron, but this is far safer and easier! The kids loved writing invisible messages to each that were totally secret from me, and it kept them entertained for ages.

This kit is absolutely superb and is such good fun, as well as needing the kids to think and being educational. It is perfect for the school holidays as some of the experiments are ideal for getting the kids outside, like the footprint casting and chalking around a body, whereas other bits like fingerprint analysis and cryptography are just right for keeping them entertained on a rainy day when we’re all stuck inside.

This kit is good value, high quality, educational and great fun – what more could you want?

Rating: 5/5

RRP: £36

For more information or to buy visit www.smythstoys.com