Biomed students got to be CSIs for an assignment with the help of Captain Pat Cicero, Chief of Detectives giving useful information.
“The focus of our discussion related to a career in crime scene investigations. I addressed current employment trends, prerequisites, training and educational paths,” Cicero stated.
“He came and spoke to all of my classes and he’s a crime scene investigator with LaPorte County Sheriff's department,” Tonya Aerts, the biomedical PLTW teacher added.
“I really enjoyed having the CSI investigator because it gave us an understanding of what the job is really like and not just what we see on TV,” added Lizabeth Martinez.
The students got to use basic measuring tools. Soon they will be learning how to determine blood spray patterns.
Students used their iPads to take pictures of the staged crime scene to be able to look at the mock crime after evidence was gathered. Then they used basic measuring tools like meter sticks and rulers to determine the blood spatter pattern and size.
Students measure “to decide if the victim was standing or sitting when she started to bleed,” added Aerts.
For this mock investigation students got to use a staged crime scene. It had a fake body with many pieces of artificial evidence arranged on the floor around it such as medicine, blood, and fingerprints on some objects.
“After our classroom discussion, we visited a mock crime scene and discussed the CSI protocol and investigative approach to evaluating a crime scene,” Cicero stated.
“He even went into our crime scene and explained how he would conduct the search.” added Landi Newcomb.
The artificial crime scene was created with the help of Aerts’ student aides Maddie Andrysiak and Makenzie Scarborough. Some props used were also lent by Kortney Brennan, theater teacher.
Students seemed to really enjoy having a CSI come in and talk about his career.
“It was interesting to learn what not only the job is about but also what people in that position have to deal with over the years,” Sophie McGrew stated.
The speaker also showed the students that being a CSI isn’t like what it looks like on television.
“I didn’t know what being a CSI was really like until he came to visit.” stated Austin Blanchard.
“I really enjoyed having the CSI investigator because it gave us an understanding of what the job is really like and not just what we see on tv.” added Lizabeth Martinez.
To become a CSI it isn’t always required but usually an individual must be a sworn police officer. In LaPorte a candidate must be a police officer first to then become a CSI.
“CSIs in LaPorte County are sworn law enforcement officers. Anyone interested would have to become an officer first,” Cicero stated.
Each law enforcement agency has officers who are selected to investigate crime scenes. The LaPorte County Sheriff’s office doesn’t have an open position at this time.
The CSI’s visit to the biomed class really helped to clear up misconceptions and show how a real crime scene investigation is conducted.
“I thought the guest speaker was definitely beneficial,” stated Josephine Fleming.
“Overall, I believe the biomedical students left with a better understanding about crime scene investigations,” Cicero remarked.
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