Science Sleuths Forage into Forensics

First responders, sketch artists, photographers and more were on hand recently in Dr. Ryan’s classroom investigating two crime scenes riddled with evidence.

Barbie dolls, plastic brass knuckles, crumpled napkins and more were cordoned off behind yellow crime scene tape. Gingerly, students in Dr. Ryan’s Forensic Science class began the onerous task of examining, categorizing, and packaging the clues in order to solve the case – a case precisely planned and thought out by Dr. Ryan.

The popular Upper School elective course is now three years in the making and has a prerequisite of chemistry, while encompassing such science fields as physics, anatomy, and several branches of biology.

“This is completely different from what students see on television. This course offers students a career option to pursue that incorporates science, as many believe that their only choices are doctor or scientist,” explained Dr. Ryan.

Senior Michala Katz worked with junior Ryan Delfini at one of the crime scenes. Just based on the preliminary evidence, the inquisitive students made a couple of initial observations.

“I think they made it to look like a suicide,” proclaimed Michala.

Ryan remarked that a note had been left at the scene, which contained some blood.

A second crime scene contained plastic brass knuckles and a toy gun, leading senior Sal Rosa to make a couple pronouncements of his own.

“We have a woman dead with four potential marks on her,” he said. “But there’s no DNA or blood on the brass knuckles. So I don’t think the brass knuckles have the potential to cause this fatality.”

To aid in their investigative activities, students had check lists pertaining to each job. The first responder was advised to approach the scene cautiously to determine whether the site posed any danger. Once on scene, the recorder had to document weather conditions, available light, unusual odors, and other environmental conditions. The photographer was responsible for taking photos of the crime scene while taking into account the four points of the compass, the entrance and departure points into the area, and any disturbances at the scene. The evidence collector had to properly bundle and package all materials considered evidence and complete an Evidence Inventory Sheet for each evidence bag. Finally, a sketch artist was tasked with preparing two sketches of the crime scene – a rough sketch and a more detailed version with directions labeled and drawn to scale.

The mock crime scene was part of the course's introduction unit

“We try to be as realistic as we can,” said Dr. Ryan as she checked in on each student’s progress, doling out advice here and there as warranted.

“You guys cannot collect the body because that goes to the medical examiner,” she advised one group.