"Wherever he steps, whatever he touches, whatever he leaves will serve as a silent witness against him." Edmund Locard
FORENSICS: The SCIENCE Detectives 2008
Forensic Science Experience

June 10-27, 2008
Updated: 2008.07.15 |
What is FORENSIC SCIENCE?
"The word forensic comes from the Latin word forensis: public; to the forum or public discussion; argumentative, rhetorical, belonging to debate or discussion. From there it is a small step to the modern definition of forensic as belonging to, used in or suitable to courts of judicature, or to public discussion or debate. Forensic science is science used in public, in a court or in the justice system. Any science, used for the purposes of the law, is a forensic science." From: The American Academy of Forensic Sciences
BIOLOGY, ANTHROPOLOGY, PATHOLOGY, ENTOMOLOGY, ENGINEERING, FORENSIC TECHNOLOGIES. Experience molecular biology, chemistry, microscopy techniques, field techniques, latent print analysis, reporting of findings, public speaking, plus others...
Interested in learning more about forensic science?
Course Description:
Popularized by TV shows such as CSI, forensic science has become an attraction for many seeking a college education and a meaningful career. Life and physical sciences play critical roles in forensic casework. The interdisciplinary nature of forensic science provides an ideal avenue to bridge basic sciences, mathematics and engineering together as it relates to our culture and society. The "FORENSICS: The SCIENCE Detectives" summer camp at The University of Arizona is an intensive college preparatory course designed to be fun and exciting experience. Students entering the 11th and 12th grades, as well as students entering the freshman year of college are exposed to "real-life" career possibilities in a multitude of disciplines represented in forensic science. This college prep course is modeled as a professional workshop and builds on concepts introduced in high school curriculum and expanded to cover state-of-the-art applications in forensic science.
High school students entering the 10th grade are accepted on a case-by-case basis and must demonstrate superior science grades (provide a letter of recommendation from their science teacher). Because of the intensive nature of the course load in this workshop, this program is not appropriate for students who just completed middle school. Students are expected to report to daily training,8 hrs per day for almost 3 full weeks. Successful attendees will earn a certificate of training.
Students will hear from scientists, practicing experts, law enforcement and law officials and learn the path to their careers. We will explore biology, chemistry, anthropology and other relevant sciences in a lecture and “HANDS-ON” laboratory based format. And, of course, there will be opportunities to act as “CSIs” in crime scene investigations and role-playing as forensic analysts while testifying in a court of law.
Credit for this Course:
Question: Will I earn high school credit or college credit for this course?
Answer: No. This course is for students who wish to pursue intensive immersion and hands-on training in a myriad of disciplines represented in forensic science. It is not structured like a high school course. Instead, it is structured as a professional training workshop. As mentioned above, students are expected to report to daily weekday training 8 hrs per day for 14 training days (weekends not included). Successful attendees (without absences) will earn a certificate of completed training and attendees with missed days will earn certificates of attendance documenting the total hours of attendance.
To register :
Course Development:
This course is co-developed with the staff of the Tucson Police Department - Crime Laboratory and the Pima County Office of the Medical Examiner to foster interest in higher education/learning in life, physical and medical sciences. The ARL - Division of Biotechnology aims to promote the understanding of biotechnology and the role of science in our society.
Introduction to Forensic Science
Crime Scene Training
Processing and Evidence Handling
Crime Scene Practical Exercises
Scientific Foundation and Instrumentation Training
Forensic Biology (Biotechnology)
Forensic Pathology
Forensic Anthropology
Forensic Entomology
Forensic Toxicology
Forensic Engineering
Questioned Documents
Others, to be announced
Scientific Analysis of Physical Evidence
Introduction to Science and Law
Training in Scientific Documentation and Public Speaking
Mock Expert Witness Testimonies
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Arizona Research Laboratories |
Tucson Police Department |
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Forensic Science Center Office of the Medical Examiner, Pima County |
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Course Information:
Foci in 2008: Human Identification and Cause/Time of Death
Qualifications:
Completion of 10th, 11th or 12th grade Science and Math Courses (students entering the 10th grade in the fall requires submission of a letter of recommendation from their science teacher).
Have mature demeanor.
The experiments and techniques that we use in the labs replicate or mimic real-life forensic situations. Some activities are realistic. Students must be able to tolerate graphic images and smells associated with death investigations.
Excited and committed to learning applied science.
Instructor: Al Agellon (U of A)
Co-Instructor: Cathy Burg (Amphitheater Public Schools)
Dates: June 10-27, 2008
Class Times: 8:00AM - 5:00PM (typically). Please see the schedule for details. Meeting at 7:45AM daily.
Course Schedule & Guest Lecturers: SEE THE COURSE SCHEDULE
NOTICE: Many of the lectures are given by practitioners in their field; because of this, last minute cancellations may occur and changes to schedule will apply.
Locations: Various places on the U of A campus and the Tucson area. View the GOOGLE MAP for locations.
Textbook: Criminalistics: An Introduction to Forensic Science (College Edition), 9/E, Richard Saferstein, INCLUDED WITH THE TUITION.
Tuition: The normalized cost per hour for this course is $4.78 per hour of training.
Early Registration (now up to Feb 29, 2008) $465.00
Regular Registration (March 1 - June 3, 2008) $535.00
Late Registration (one week before class starts and day of): Regular Registration Fee $535.00 + $75.00 = $610 .00
(Fee Structure, Refund Policy)
Enrollment: There is a total of 30 spots for HS students available. There are also 2 additional spots for K-12 teachers in professional development.
Spots Available |
****Out-of-town Students: Students not living in the Tucson area may take the course. Please read the housing information update here.
Student and Parent Information
Dress Code:
We expect the students to follow the typical school dress code. Shorts or skirts are not permitted while off-site or during days where there is a biology or chemistry lab exercise.
On Campus : Wear comfortable clothing. Nothing loose or dangling, no sandals or flip-flops, ALL FOOTWEAR MUST BE CLOSED-TOED. Formal footwear may be open-toed when off-site.
Off-Site: We will be visiting the Southern Arizona Law Enforcement Training Center, the Pima Regional Training Center and the Tucson Police Department Crime Laboratory - Students must wear their course T-shirt. Semi-professional attire is expected when we visit the AZ Superior Court in Pima County. Expectations will be reinforced during the first day of class.
What to Bring:
Always bring something to write with.
Bottled water, sun protection such as sunscreen and hats, picture I. D., etc.
Pack a LUNCH with ice packs if you will not buying meals - we do not have a refrigerator for food storage.
$$MONEY$$ - if you are going to buy lunch at the Student Union. There are shops for stuff there and at the UA Book Stores. You'll also need money to park a vehicle at the parking structure.
Special Rules:
Students are expected to behave professionally, do the assigned work, complete assigned homework and participate in class.
*****************PLEASE READ**********************
DISRUPTIVE and UNCONTROLLABLE BEHAVIORS WILL NOT BE TOLERATED. The use of cell phones and other electronic devices during class hours are NOT permitted. Students are permitted to use them during the LUNCH HOUR ONLY. First violation will be a warning. The second violation will result in TERMINATION from the program. NO EXCEPTIONS.
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Unlawful conduct will result in immediate termination from the program- Student will be turned over to the UA Police Department for handling.
Students are not permitted to separate from the course during lunch or breaks without a written permission from a parent or guardian (unless 18 yrs. or older). Students are required to notify the course staff.
Where to Meet:
On the first day of class, parents are required to sign the students in (unless 18 yrs. or older). At this time we will ask parents to check the list of adults that are approved to pick up students.
Parents may authorize their children to drive and check themselves in. A note authorizing the student to do this must be submitted prior to or on the first day of camp.
Roll call will always occur at the DESIGNATED MEETING PLACE - Marley Building, 1145 E 4 ST/Santa Rita. VIEW GOOGLE MAP here. The map also shows the locations of our activities.
If students are authorized by their parents to drive in, they may park their car in the Second St. Garage 114, Sixth St. Garage 18o or Cherry Ave. Garage 115. There is a daily charge to park - please contact the Parking & Transportation Services for questions and rates. Students must report to the designated meeting area (will be reminded of location 1 day prior).
Dismissal:
Dismissal will generally be at 5:00PM. Please refer to the course schedule for dismissal times and locations.
Scholarships
NONE AT THIS TIME
Collaborators, Sponsors and Supporters
See the organizations helping to make this course possible. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
Post-Course Update
Arizona Daily Star | Published: 06.03.2008
Tucson Citizen | Published: 06.17.2008
KVOA 4 News@4| Aired: 06.26.2008
The Chronicle Workshop Newspaper | Published: 06.2008
Arizona Republic | Published: 07.01.2008
Tucson12.TV | Aired: 07.07.2008

Picture taken on June 18, 2008 by Old Main at the University of Arizona, Tucson AZ
Picture taken on June 23, 2008 at the TPD Headquarters Lobby, Tucson, AZ
******* LINK TO MORE CLASS PICS *******
Previous Programs
2007 FORENSICS: The SCIENCE Detectives
2006 FORENSICS: The SCIENCE Detectives
2005 FORENSICS: The DNA Detectives
INTERTESTED IN THE 2008 PROGRAM?
Closed.......Get on the "2009 Roster Here".
Need additional info?
Contact Al Agellon agellon@email.arizona.edu




