Photos by Ralph Freso / Slideshow
Blood splatter, shoe impressions, glass reconstruction.
Sounds like evidence that would only be found at Grand Canyon University’s Forensic Science Day.
Fifty Arizona high schools visited GCU's campus Thursday for an interactive and immersive Forensic Science Day with a chance to participate in various crime investigation activities, tour DNA labs and meet GCU forensic science faculty and students.
“Our goal is to show juniors and seniors our beautiful campus as well as talk about careers in forensic science,” said Melissa Beddow, associate professor and program director of forensic science. “We hope to inspire students to pursue a career in science and hope they will do so at GCU.”
Forensic Science Day has taken place annually at GCU since 2012 and has exponentially grown since.
“This is where we get to show off the amazing seniors in the Forensic Science major and minor,” added Beddow. “They work in small groups to create a hands-on activity to share with our visitors and introduce them to basic forensic science concepts.
"We have had quite a few students decide to pursue their degree at GCU as a result of attending Forensic Science Day. They love all of the interactive exhibits, activities and things to see and do while they are here.”
More than 1,500 students filled the Global Credit Union Arena, swarming tables, booths and exhibits with curiosity. One featured a Crime Scene Challenge, where students investigated a mock crime scene to try to discover what happened, a blood analysis that showed students how to understand the different affects created by blood droplet size, shoe impressions that revealed evidence, and more.
The events reminded Catherine Hendrick, a senior forensic science major, of her time as a high school senior coming to GCU to participate in the day.
“I already knew I would want to major in forensics, but after I attended this event as a high school senior I thought, ‘Oh yeah, this is a lot of fun.' The activities really convinced me that I definitely want to do this as a career,” she said.
Now she is a college senior just weeks away from receiving her degree in forensic science and encouraging incoming college freshman to do the same.
“Even though I have to volunteer, I do find it really fun and engaging,” she said. “I get excited seeing other students because maybe they will be forensic science students here.”
One activity seemed to attract most students: the blood splatter and analysis.
“Who doesn’t like a little blood?” exclaimed senior forensic science major Faith Lauer.
GCU forensic science seniors walked prospective students through two phases of the blood analysis. First, they discussed blood stain patterns and explored two different analyses examining the velocity of blood droplets leaving the body or weapon.
In the second phase, students examined blood transfers using paint, how blood can be transferred from one surface to another and how it is identified.
“High school students love making messes. Blood splatter is always the most popular,” Hendrick said.
While some students were captivated by the sample hand blood prints and weapon splatters, others were captivated by how much evidence a simple shoe impression can carry. Size, shape, design, even the residue left on the bottom of a shoe, can play a significant role in discovering necessary details, explained senior forensic science major Erandi Lugo Martinez.
But what was most captivating was learning that what they own is among the most common pieces of real crime evidence.
“For example, the Air Forces are the number one shoe print we find in crime scenes," said Lugo Martinez. "They are surprised because a lot of them are wearing them.”
GCU seniors used exhibits to show off their class projects to prospective students and share everything they study and create in the GCU program.
Phoenix Police Department also had tables showing off some of their collected evidence from real crime investigations and the various devices they use on real cases.
The event also attracted GCU freshman and sophomore students.
“It’s fun to see freshman and sophomores that are forensic science and talk to them about it because then I can give them help for classes,” said Delaney Richardson, senior forensic science major. “No matter what anyone says about it being difficult, you should do it and stick with it because college is hard no matter what.”
Phoenix Police K9 unit dog demo attracted a large gathering of students and GCU faculty to the Quad to watch Urosh, a 6-year old Belgian Malinois, respond to commands and perform acrobatics.
“I love it, seeing everyone come together and have such an interest in it,” said Lauer. “It’s so cool to see how the field is growing.”
GCU's staff writer Izabela Fogarasi can be reached at [email protected]
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GCU News: Catching the 'bad guys' at Forensic Science Day - GCU News
GCU News: Conclusion drawn: Forensic Science Day was a hit - GCU News
