L.LEA 195 – Crime Scene Investigation

Overview: This conference is a ten-day immersion in Crime Scene Investigation for highly motivated high school students. Through classroom lecture, visiting guest speakers, interactive small-group work, and a final Inquest presentation, students will be exposed to a broad array of current issues relating to many dimensions of forensic science. In addition, students are taken through LeadAmerica’s leadership curriculum, which is designed to enhance their ability to lead in their personal, academic, and professional lives. Students who complete the course earn one college credit from Loras College (with a second credit option). Lecturing is performed by collegiate-level lecturers and law enforcement professionals with the assistance of Team Leaders, who are typically recent college graduates and undergraduate upperclassmen.

Course Content: Some or all of the topics listed below will be covered in the Crime Scene Investigation conference.

Readings: Students will be given approximately 60 pages of collegiate-level background reading assignments in crime scene analysis and forensic science. In addition, they will be given approximately 20 additional pages of material to read for the Crime Scene Investigation simulation.

Simulation: Throughout the course of the program, students will collect and analyze evidence from a true-to-life simulated crime scene using the techniques they learn in the classroom. At the end of the program, teams will present their findings at an Inquest.

Classroom Activities: In addition to lecture and discussion, students will:

          • Discuss the educational requirements necessary to succeed professionally in Crime Scene Investigation and forensic science
          • Analyze and debate inaccuracies in TV portrayals of crime scene analysis
          • Participate in laboratories and activities designed to introduce students to the hands-on aspect of forensic science
          • Be on call to perform nighttime analysis of crime scenes
          • Collect and study insect larvae to determine time of death
          • Take tire track casts with dental stone
          • Use computer software to reconstruct facial features

Off-site experiences: In addition to field trips intended to expose students to the city in which the conference is held, conference participants take trips to some or all of the following: crime laboratories, famous crime scenes, and museums with forensic-themed exhibits.