This Monday, students from our Police Department’s Community Engagement Division’s Junior Citizen Police Academy had the unique opportunity to step into the shoes of detectives and crime scene investigators.
Detectives from the Burglary and Theft Division visited the class to share insight into their work. They discussed real cases, investigative methods, and how suspects typically operate. Students got a behind-the-scenes look at how cases are solved and what it takes to work in this specialized unit.
They also had the chance to interact with the Crime Scene Unit during a hands-on workshop. Students participated in a staged crime scene, learning how to sketch the scene properly and understanding why sketching remains such an important part of crime scene documentation—especially when measurements and spatial relationships need to be preserved beyond photographs.
The class also explored the basics of fingerprint identification, including the three main types: loops, whorls, and arches. In addition, students were introduced to the importance of DNA evidence and trace materials like hair follicles and how all these small details play a major role in building a case. The session even touched on body decomposition and how scenes are processed in real-life investigations.
The students were fully engaged, asking thoughtful questions and showing a strong interest. It was an incredibly informative and eye-opening experience that brought forensic science and criminal investigations to life in a way many had never seen before.
