Every crime scene tells a story-even when the storytellers are invisible to the naked eye. In this course, students take on the role of investigators, using microbiology to solve weekly case-study mysteries drawn from real and fictional forensic events. Each week begins with a puzzling scenario-mysterious illnesses, spoiled food, environmental contamination, or suspicious DNA evidence-and ends with students uncovering how microbes hold the key to the case. Along the way, students explore how the scientific process works in practice, learn how evidence is tested and validated, and reflect on the ethical questions raised when science meets the courtroom.