'CSI' techniques taught in new course

DNA, fingerprinting, crime scene analysis and reconstruction.

It is not CSI or NCIS, familiar television shows that use these tools to unveil the nature of crimes. It is an introductory forensic science class.

Twenty one students are learning how to do the work of the professionals.

The class is cross-listed and team-taught by professors in the Life Sciences, Chemistry and Justice Studies departments. This is the first time Winston-Salem State has offered a forensic science class.

Denise Nation, assistant professor of Justice Studies and program coordinator, said that students will be required to view several television shows, including NCIS and CSI, to interpret the steps of the investigations.

"The students will soon be able to identify what police did right and wrong," Nation said.

The scientific method will play a major role in this course. Nation said that students will evaluate the scientific methods that are used to analyze physical evidence based on their current research.

Morris Clarke, associate professor of Life Sciences, said that he is surprised and excited by the level of interest from the students so far.

"I challenged the students to critique a ‘Dateline' program," Clarke said.

"They did a great job in crime scene analysis, physical evidence gathering, and psychological profiling."

Nickolay Hristov, adjunct of Life Sciences, said that the course requires students to participate in the Center for Design Innovation [a multi-campus research center for the UNC system] website.

"My contribution to the class is the application of advanced digital techniques in forensics such as image analysis; 3-D surveying and reconstruction with multi-camera arrays; high-speed videograph; long range laser scanning; and 3-D modeling for simulation," Hristov said.

Each professor said that they have their own expectations of the students and the course.

 "As a hard scientist, I hope the students deepen their scientific literacy and that they become advocates for the application of scientific methods in not only forensics, but also environmental justice, health disparities, and lifestyle choices," Clarke said.

"I believe that students in this course will ultimately come to the conclusion that science and inquiry have a major role in everyday life."

Nation said that she wants students to understand the primary concerns of a forensic scientist, to determine the exact nature of a crime. The course syllabus provides an explanation of how to properly handle a crime scene, to survey and collect evidence that is relevant to the case.

Guilford College and Forsyth Technical Community College are the only colleges in the Triad that have a forensic science track.

Nation said that the long-term goal is a forensic science track in the justice studies major.

"Students will be more attractive for careers with these skills," Nation said.

"It will make the major more attractive and students more marketable in the job field."