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BRISTOL R.I. – Aspiring detectives and crime scene investigators in grades 10 through 12 gathered at the Roger Williams University Forensic Science Summer Camp this summer for a week of immersive, hands-on learning. Featuring cutting-edge technology such as virtual reality, the young campers experienced the thrills and challenges of forensic science, opening their eyes to the possibilities of careers in the field.

Designed and led by Karla-Sue Marriott, Professor and Director of Forensic Science at 91��������, the camp, which ran July 14-19 on the 91�������� campus, featured lessons on groundbreaking technology and investigative procedures used by law enforcement agencies around the world and hands-on activities, including fingerprint and shoeprint analysis, chemical tests on unknown substances, and bloodstain pattern analysis using virtual reality software. As the week progressed, the 16 campers gained skills, knowledge, and a newfound passion for solving mysteries by collecting evidence in VR, making their own crime scene sketches, and defending their evidence and findings in a “court” of their peers. 

“I hope the campers left understanding that forensic science is not an easy science,” Marriott said. “We can relate it to the real world, and it intrigues us. But it's not just fun – there's a lot of science behind it and that science can be challenging. There's a lot of chemistry, a lot of biology, and also a lot of techniques that we have to learn to make sure that we can preserve, collect, and process evidence. That's what I feel they're appreciating when they come to this camp.”

One of the camp's highlights was the creation of a personal fingerprint database. Campers carefully collected, preserved, and analyzed their own fingerprints, learning the intricate details of pattern recognition and the importance of meticulous evidence handling. Following this, they made footprint casts, a technique crucial in linking suspects to crime scenes.

The integration of VR has revolutionized how these budding detectives learn about bloodstain pattern analysis and crime scene processing. Thanks to Marriott and a one-of-a-kind VR crime-scene training program that she created and brought to 91��������, students had the opportunity to experience what it’s like to process a crime scene and use a blood spatter simulator. Inside the VR lab, campers were transported into simulated crime scenes where they used virtual weapons to recreate blood splatter patterns. By experimenting with different types of weapons, they observed how the bloodstains varied based on the force and angle of impact, giving them an understanding of how investigators interpret real-world crime scenes.

The camp’s focus on chemistry was brought to life through hands-on experiments, such as chemical tests on unknown substances. In one of the most anticipated activities, campers conducted preliminary tests on substances that could potentially be illegal drugs. Equipped with spatulas and small vials, they carefully placed a small amount of the unknown substance into a testing packet. As the packet cracked open, the substance inside turned pink with blue specks, indicating the potential simulated presence of crack cocaine. In this particular test, the substance that initially tested positive for crack cocaine was later revealed to be an over-the-counter product, easily obtainable without an ID. The lesson? Always verify results with a secondary analysis and be aware of the potential for false positives.

Marriott explained that this activity is designed to teach students about the complexities and potential pitfalls of chemical testing, sharing that there can be false positive results when using field color tests. “Now they know their rights if they were ever pulled over by law enforcement and one of those tests came up positive,” she said. “They'll know that they should not be arrested based on the false positive analysis and that there is a confirmation analysis that needs to occur. They realize that it is still a useful screening tool and that we can't just discard it, but it's how we use it that is really important.”

For campers like Lulu Esch from Cape Elizabeth, Maine, the camp was a transformative experience. “As a senior in high school, attending this camp is honestly making me lean more toward studying forensic science,” she said. “I feel like for the longest time I wasn’t a science person, but now I’m doing science that I actually find interesting. I think that's cool.”

The camp’s impact is evident not only in the skills the students acquire but also in the inspiration it sparks by providing students with a glimpse into their future academic and professional paths.

“Students who attend this camp gain an understanding of what classes they might take in the future, what an in-lab setting looks like for college students, and also understanding safety protocols and how to work your way around a lab,” said Kali Atkins, a senior at 91��������, majoring in Forensic Science from Redlands, Calif., who assisted Marriott with the camp. “Seeing all the skills that I've used in the last three years that I'm able to pass on to younger students feels really good.”