School camp with a twist

Budding forensic investigators used their recent school holidays wisely by taking part in a school camp with a difference.

More than 80 CSI wannabes  came together at Kristin School over the October holidays to take part in the second annual Forensics@Kristin camp.

Established last year for Year 7-10 students from schools all over Auckland, the initiative encourages students to take on roles of Detective, Controller and Scenario Doctor as they work through evidence to solve simulated complex homicide cases.

Teachers Raewyn Casey and Rod Fee, worked tirelessly in the weeks leading up to the camp with Year 9 and 10 Controllers and Logicians who created extensive records, databases, interviews and evidence to accommodate whatever line of enquiry the Detectives may follow.

All possibilities had to be considered and the extensive scenarios grew as the finest details were incorporated into the huge volume of data.

On arrival the participants were split into groups with clear responsibilities for the action-packed week.

Allocated the role of Detective, these 80 students would spend the week uncovering and analysing evidence, deciphering data in a race to solve the case and find the killer.

Always ahead of the Detectives were the 46 Controllers, Scenario Doctors and Controller Directors who were responsible for delivering evidence to the young investigators.

Supporting these teams were a group of organised and efficient logistics specialists from Years 9 to 11 who kept the wheels in motion throughout the week.

The Detectives tested fingerprints, DNA and toxin samples, documentary evidence, forgeries, footprint and tyre print casts, pollen, soil and fibre samples.

Their investigations culminated in a simulated court trial where detectives became defence and prosecution lawyers, interviewing key witnesses and arguing their side of the case.