Discovering a body, analyzing blood and fingerprints, and measuring tire skid marks are all part of the daily routine in the New York Mills forensics class.
In the class for sophomore, junior, and senior students, Jason Boe offers a unique opportunity to really see how the justice system works.
Two weeks ago, the class discovered a 'murder scene,' complete with a body - a mutilated scarecrow.
Since then, the class has analyzed distance, height and angles of blood spatters. Students have also measured skid marks left at the 'crime scene.'
Working in small groups, the students gather evidence, take measurements, and record data.
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Many of the students bring their cell phones to the 'crime scene' to help collect data more efficiently. Shooting pictures on scene, students email the photos directly to their accounts from their phones.
The upcoming weeks look busy for students in the forensics class. They have to finish collecting the evidence while the weather is still cooperating with them.
The class will be taking a closer look at tire tracks, hair fibers, DNA analysis and voice analysis. Students really see how much evidence there is in the smallest details.
On a project they worked on last week, students were able to figure out how fast the car was moving before it went into a skidding stop.
In addition to the evidence side, the class also studies the criminal justice process.
As the semester progresses, the forensics class will determine who committed the 'murder.'
The final project will include charging a suspect for the 'murder,' and participating in a mock-up of the court process that follows.
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