Forensic Science is the structured and scientific approach to investigating. In Forensic Science, students investigate crimes of assault, accidental death, domestic violence, abuse, neglect, homicide, and the psychology of criminal behavior. They learn terminology and procedures of crime scene investigation, questioning, truth detection, and criminal behavior characteristics. Students use scientific methods and analysis to collect evidence through case studies and simulated crime scenes, in simpler terms; they use science to solve crimes.
“An easy way to think about it is if you’ve seen it on CSI we will talk about it,” said Heathar Parker, the Forensic Science teacher.
Hailey Richardson, President of the Law and Public Safety Club, who took the Forensic Science course as a sophomore, expressed her enjoyment of the class and the many interesting important topics they cover.
“My favorite unit in Forensic science would be the blood spatter unit or the fingerprinting unit. During the blood spatter unit you analyze fake blood and compare the samples to suspects, and after you have to figure out who committed the crime,” Richardson said. “In the fingerprinting unit, you learn the difference between arches, loops, and whirls. You also got to analyze your own fingerprints.”
Not only does the class go behind the scenes of a crime but students learn about the law and their human rights.
Richardson said, “In this class you will learn more about your rights as a person, what occurs when you die, and it’s overall a very interesting course.”
This class is available to all students who have completed either Biology, Chemistry, or ICP, as a CTE or science credit. What you will learn in Forensic Science will not only help students succeed if they plan on going into the field of public safety but in all careers.
“Everything I learned in Forensic Science is very important, but the most important thing is that it’s not what you see on TV, you can’t just plug everything into a computer and get an answer. There is a lot of work behind Forensic Science, but it is interesting and fun,” said Richardson.
Parker’s goal is to make sure students leave thinking like a forensic scientist rather than planning to become one.
“More than any of the the science, I want them to think logically and to look at a problem from all angles, because I think that’s something that helps them regardless of what field they plan on going into,” said Parker. “Being able to look at a problem, look at all the evidence, analyze the evidence and come up with a conclusion, I think that’s something that helps with whatever you’re going into, if it’s Law Enforcement or Accounting.”
Creative Title!