Students in charge of campus crime scene

Posted: 04.25.2012 at 5:18 AM

CMU created a simulated murder scene, spreading the bones of three plastic skeletons across a grassy, wooded section in the middle of campus.

MT. PLEASANT -- A portion of Central Michigan University’s campus was transformed into a mock crime scene as students from a forensic anthropology class participated in the first-ever mock CSI investigation.

Cathy Willermet, CMU assistant professor of anthropology, created a simulated murder scene, spreading the bones of three plastic skeletons across a grassy, wooded section in the middle of campus.

“What you see on TV is a stylized version of crime scene investigation,” said Willermet. “This exercise, while simulated, is a real-life example of what it takes to investigate a crime scene in the woods.”

Rather than a written final exam, students in Willermet’s Forensic Anthropology class had the opportunity to apply what they learned in the classroom throughout the semester in a hands-on laboratory exercise.

“This brought what they’ve learned all semester in the classroom to life,” said Willermet. “It’s a chance for students to get a sense for whether they want to pursue forensic science as a career.”

As part of the investigation student teams, dressed in actual crime scene protective wear, mapped, measured, recorded, photographed and bagged evidence. In analyzing the crime scene, the investigative teams were each required to prepare a written summation on how the crime was committed, based on the evidence.

“For the past couple weeks in class we’ve been talking about what you actually do on a crime scene,” said Jessica Slavin, Dearborn junior. “This brings it to life, so you get a lot more hands-on instead of just book work and lectures.”