Reynolds College Blog

CSI Camp brings future crime solvers to MSU campus

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The first of two CSI Camps, hosted by Missouri State University’s School of Criminology and Criminal Justice, was held June 10-13.

High school students from around the Midwest, including Missouri, Arkansas, Kansas and Illinois, attended this year.

The camp offers introductory training in basic criminal evidence-gathering techniques, such as fingerprinting, blood spatter analysis and plaster casting.

Now in its second year, the June camp enjoyed full enrollment of 40 students. The second camp will be held July 8-11.

Expanded training, smaller groups for 2024 camp

According to assistant professor Dr. Samantha Tjaden, camp organizers used what they learned from the 2023 camp to base the 2024 experience on what students want to learn.

“We have added more hands-on experiences to our camp from last year,” Tjaden said. “For example, we were very lucky to have Springfield Police Department investigators come share their experiences with our campers this year. We have also evolved the blood spatter component of our camp to include Luminol.”

“Both years that we have had the CSI camp have been an amazing experience but—like anything—we are learning and adapting to the needs of our campers,” she added.

Teacher explains a procedure to a student
Kamina Andrisevic listens as Dr. Tjaden explains fingerprinting techniques.

Ideas for 2025 camp in the works

Tjaden is not only one of the camp faculty instructors, she also serves on the planning committee with fellow camp instructor Dr. Michael Kyle. Tjaden lends her professional expertise and assists with content delivery and development.

“Professors Kyle and Tjaden are superb at connecting and building rapport with high schoolers, and they both have a wonderful ability to explain complex aspects of forensics in very down-to-earth ways,” said Dr. Brett Garland, head of the criminology and criminal justice school.

Camp organizers are already planning more techniques and topics for 2025, according to Garland.

“I’m looking forward to us integrating more on the search and seizure and interrogation side—since both are critically important to successful investigations—and maybe running interactive scenarios in those areas,” he said.

[Read more…] about CSI Camp brings future crime solvers to MSU campus

Now taking applications for CSI Camp 2024

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The School of Criminology and Criminal Justice crime scene investigation (CSI) summer camp will return for its second year June 10-13, 2024, on the Springfield campus of Missouri State University. Sessions run from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. daily.

UPDATE: Due to popular demand, a second CSI Camp has been added for 2024. It runs July 8-11. Applications accepted until June 16.

Incoming high school students freshmen through seniors are eligible to attend.

Early applications are encouraged, as space for the summer camp is limited. Online applications are now being accepted.

Camp tuition is $275 per camper. Tuition fees include a camp t-shirt and lunch daily. Lodging is not provided.

What is CSI Camp?

CSI Camp covers topics like basic criminal investigation, forensic analysis techniques, crime scene processing and collection and packaging of evidence.

Camp activities include lifting and examining fingerprints, casting tread impressions, identifying and examining blood spatter/stains and more.

Apply now

Assistant professor of criminology Dr. Michael Kyle returns to lead the camp this year. Kyle was instrumental in envisioning and leading the first CSI Camp in 2023. Dr. Samantha Tjaden, assistant professor of criminology, will also facilitate camp sessions again this year.

Also returning to ensure a quality camp experience are Dr. Brett Garland, director of the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice and Administrative Assistant Christy Titus.

For more information, contact the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice at 417-836-3799 or criminology@missouristate.edu.

Check out CSI Camp

Lt. Annesha Umbarger proudly serves as Springfield Police Officer

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Lt. Annesha Umbarger wasn’t sure what she wanted to do when she left the military.

But a “ride along” with a police unit pointed her toward a career in law enforcement.

“Being a police officer was not always on my radar,” Umbarger said. “All it took was that one day, and I knew at that moment, this is what I wanted to do. I loved the thought of helping people.”

Since then, Umbarger has proved to be a valuable member of the Springfield Police Department. Now a 16-year veteran of the force, Umbarger was promoted to Lieutenant in Nov. 2021, moving from patrol watch commander to supervising criminal investigations.

“As a patrol watch commander, it was my responsibility to oversee the allocation of our resources and deployment of officers in response to incoming calls for service and crime trends,” Umbarger explained. “It was also my responsibility to command critical incidents and major crime scenes.”

Now, a typical day for Umbarger ranges from briefings to monitoring calls for service to, at times, media interviews.

[Read more…] about Lt. Annesha Umbarger proudly serves as Springfield Police Officer

Mock Trial Team brings home big wins

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Missouri State’s Mock Trial Team won multiple awards at the Derek Morehead and Irene Downs Tournament hosted by University of Missouri-Kansas City Nov. 18-19.

Two teams within the MSU group won first and third place, and six members of the group won individual awards.

MSU competed against such schools as the University of Arkansas, the U.S. Air Force Academy, the University of Mississippi, Creighton University, the University of Kansas and St. Louis University.

This was the team’s third tournament of the season. Already the team has won 15 individual and team awards, according to assistant professor of criminology and Mock Trial Team coach Dr. Jennifer LaPrade.

“To have this kind of success so early in our history is a testament to the talent and work ethic that our students have,” LaPrade said. “I am so proud of our team, and I thank everyone who helps support this program.”

“What an incredible achievement,” said Dr. Brett Garland, Director of the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice. “I’m so very proud of what these exceptional students have accomplished and for representing our School, the Reynolds College and MSU with such class.” [Read more…] about Mock Trial Team brings home big wins

School of Criminology and Criminal Justice holds first CSI summer camp

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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. [Read more…] about School of Criminology and Criminal Justice holds first CSI summer camp