The School of Criminology and Criminal Justice, in partnership with the Missouri State University Public Safety Training Center, launched its first crime scene investigation (CSI) summer camp July 17-20, 2023.

The entire camp, which was constructed around solving a real-life criminal case, gave 33 high schoolers from Missouri, Arkansas and Kansas a crash course in investigative strategies and forensic techniques. Hands-on activities included fingerprint dusting, lifting and fuming; blood stain and splatter analysis; shoe print casting; firearm tool mark analysis; packaging evidence; report writing and more.

Dr. Michael Kyle, a former police commander who supervised an investigative unit in Kansas, envisioned, organized and led the camp.

“I was very pleased we were able to provide a quality experience,” Kyle said. “We think several of the campers developed a stronger interest in attending MSU because of their involvement.”

Dr. Samantha Tjaden, a former Alabama patrol officer who taught several camp sessions, enjoyed demonstrating fingerprints and bloodsplatter techniques the most.

“The greatest part of [the] experience was watching the passion and interest for criminal justice and forensics,” Tjaden said. “I wish I had an opportunity like this when I was in high school.”

Student and parent feedback was very positive.

One student camper comment reflected several others: “I really liked the staff, learning about how to do fingerprints, learning how to process evidence, and just everything.”

Several university employees volunteered significant time to make the camp a success.

Cody Brewington from the Public Safety Training Center was pivotal in marketing the event and setting up a registration process.

Dr. Ethan Amidon, criminology academic advisor John Hall, and two graduate assistants, Samara Mizutani Cesar and Josh Woolfington, served valuable counselor roles.

Christy Titus, the School’s office administrator, worked on camp shirts and registration, and Dr. Jennifer LaPrade contributed to the final camp shirt design.

Putting the event together “required a ton of heavy lifting and teamwork for its first go-round,” said Dr. Brett Garland, Director of the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice. “Because of the tremendous volunteer spirit, we will have revenue going back to develop our crime scene lab and support our growing criminal investigation certificate and future camps.”

Many participants look forward to attending again, and the CSI Camp crew is already gearing up for next year.

To learn more about next year’s CSI Camp or about a career in criminology and criminal justice, contact the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice at 417-836-3799.

News written by Dr. Brett Garland, edited by Reynolds College Communications Team.

Photos by John Hall.