Riverhead High School turned out some super sleuths for the 2015 CSI Challenge, which was held on Friday, April 24, 2015 at Long Island University.
The CSI Challenge, an effort of FORENSICS WORLD™, is a contest held yearly since 2001 that presents high school students with a unique opportunity to “conduct a realistic and comprehensive criminal investigation of a fictional crime” to show off their knowledge of forensic science, criminal investigation and the law.
Riverhead forensics teacher Kelly Evers put together a crew of “forensic detectives” to attend the competition (see photo).
“The students investigated the death of Homer Sampson–a centerfielder for the NY Yankees,” said Evers. “He was killed following an awards ceremony where he won athlete of the year. The suspects were the other athletes that were nominated for the award, but did not win.”
The students processed all aspects of the crime scene. They documented the crime scene with photos, notes, and, sketches. They collected and tested all evidence. The tests conducted include: serology, anthropology, microscopy, odontology, entomology, and other tests. Students interrogated suspects and also used a forensic computer technology program to analyze digital data. They had a short amount of time to complete all tasks, then work together to formulate a hypothesis and issue an arrest warrant.
Riverhead CSI students have participated in this event seven times previously, taking home first in 2011. Evers said of the team this year that they “performed very well. They were able to process all of the evidence and solve the murder. They worked as a team to accomplish all the tasks that were involved.”
“The CSI Challenge was a truly wonderful experience. Despite the fact it was initially difficult, it’s my favorite of all the activities and competitions I’ve done in high school,” senior Pam Karwowski said.
Photo Caption for Group Photo: The following students participated in the 2015 CSI Challenge on Friday, April 24, 2015, at Long Island University. Group photo: Front row: Pamela Karwowski, Liana Salgado, Erin Plitt, Meiko Vail; Middle row: Victoria Carroll, Maria Anderson, Jessica DeMaio, Emily Apicello, Joseph Zawada: Back row: Skylar Westlake, Caitlyn Peters, Kimberly Searles, Zackary Siegmund
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