Evidence in, Forensic classes popular
St. X, other schools offering course
By Melissa Gagliardi
The Courier-Journal
December 11, 2006
Popcorn kernels, red fibers and four used matches were catching Martin Woods' eye, but their significance was a mystery.
"We don't know if it's poor cleaning ethics at the lab, or evidence," he said. "It could just be messy kids."
Martin, 17, was trying to determine who committed a murder as part of his final exam for a forensic science class, which was offered for the first time at St. Xavier High School this semester.
The victim -- a stuffed shirt and pair of jeans -- lay on the floor of a lab as the class scoured the room for evidence.
The class is taught by Jennifer Haycraft, who proposed the idea last year. In all, 42 seniors learned about everything from blood spatter to fingerprinting to how long it takes for a chicken carcass to skeletonize.
The class is open only to seniors, and each student had to have chemistry and biology credits to get in.
St. X is among a handful of schools across Jefferson County to incorporate forensic science into its curriculum.
At Fairdale High School, which is a public-safety magnet school, former detective Alan Wolfe is teaching forensic science for the third year, and there is a waiting list to get in.
At Trinity, where Joyce Riggs is teaching the class for the first time, twice as many students are signed up for next semester as turned out for this semester.
She attributes the popularity of the class in part to the television show "CSI" and to the hands-on nature of the class. The lessons are carrying over into students' home lives: One parent told her it has ruined her "CSI" viewing because her son comments all through the show, "That's not how that's done," she said.
Nick Norwood, 18, a St. X senior, agrees that the class has altered his television viewing.
"You see what's fake about it and how things fall together so easily," he said.
The course is not for the faint of heart. It deals with some real-life crimes, such as the murder of Lacey Peterson, and the crimes of serial killer Ted Bundy. Students consider the evidence that led authorities to the culprits.
"It's gruesome sometimes," said Norwood, who added that he enjoyed the class because it was so interactive. "We're more involved," he said.
Paul Clark, 17, agreed.
"You learn something new every day here," he said, predicting that more students will want to sign up for future classes.
Haycraft said she hopes to incorporate more lessons next semester, such as computer programs that produce police sketches of suspects, and hopes to add more on hair and fiber analysis.
But the students who have already finished the course were satisfied with what they covered. Before the final exam, in which students worked in groups to collect evidence so they could re-create a crime scene, the doors to the lab were locked and covered in yellow crime-scene tape.
The class crowded around the door peering through a small window, anxious to get started.
Jonathan Bickel, 17, and Tom Melchior, 17, tried to keep quiet as they discovered evidence they hoped other students might miss. Bickel said he wished the course extended to next semester.
"Once we started doing stuff like real-life cops do, it's been interesting," Jonathan said. "It's made the year go by quicker, that's for sure."
Tom used tweezers to collect evidence that he wrapped in freezer paper and tucked into an envelope. He said he hopes to have a career in the music industry, but after taking forensic science he has a backup plan.
"If that doesn't work out, this is definitely something I'd be interested in doing," he said.