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Duke TIP Students Learn Forensic Science Through Mock Trial

tipmurder.jpg
TIP students examine the crime scene.

It was murder most foul right here on West Campus, and the students of the Talent Identification Program were gathered in a Biological Sciences Building classroom to solve the mystery.

The classroom was packed tight with TIP students, with stacks of cardboard evidence boxes towering in the rear of the room. Two young lawyers sat up front, preparing their separate cases in front of the judge.

This was the forensic science class of the summer Duke Talent Identification Program (TIP). The group performed a mock trial on July 1st, using skills they learned over a 3-week period to examine and perform forensics on a simulated crime scene.

An internationally known gifted child identification program centered at Duke, TIP identifies talented children and allows them to explore advanced topics in an atmosphere that encourages creativity and collaboration.

The forensic science class is an example of how TIP challenges the students. The trial followed three weeks of intensive exploration of how investigators collect and analyze evidence and the mistakes they might make.

“The students had 36 hours to prepare for the trial,” said Megan Rue, instructor of the forensic science group. “It was a culmination of everything they learned in the course.”

 “It’s a great environment where it’s okay to be smart and intuitive,” said Krystal Taylor, educational coordinator of the program. “They receive the full residential and academic experience.”

The forensic science students took sessions on lab methodologies and theory in the CSI effect, crime scene mapping, evidence collection protocol, forensic entomology, forensic insect toxicology, shoe print analysis, and many more.

All this prepared the students for the mock trial, where two of the students served as prosecutor and defense attorney while teaching assistants took on the roles of judge, jury and witnesses.

The trial itself wasn’t cut and dry, as students had to deal with uncooperative witnesses and incomplete evidence.

The students had a simulated crime scene on campus at Few Quad, and took in evidence such as shoe prints, and people present around the scene. They followed the chain of custody of the different pieces of evidence and asked questions about evidence tampering and other issues related to the process of justice.

Through their examinations and evidence, the prosecution eventually convinced the jury, beyond a reasonable doubt, that the suspect was guilty. After Rue gave the students feedback on the trial, smiling faces exited the room and conversed with each other about the case.

crime scene clues

Clues from the crime scene. Photo courtesy Talent Identification Program

Typical of TIP, this was not the kind of learning the students would engage in school.  Other classes this summer included “Writing to Change the World,” “A History of 20th Century Music” and “Cryptology and Number Theory.”

It’s not all academics, however, as planned evening activities add a layer of social fun. “We have dances and get-togethers every week,” said Cecila Poston, a 4th year student of the program. “I was really sad at the last dance, but I’ve really enjoyed this camp.”

Taylor said students often take their experiences and friendships beyond the summer camp. “We end up becoming a family because we are all together a lot.”.

Poston agreed, saying she counts her former TIP classmates among her friends. “I still keep in touch with some of my classmates from previous years. We facetime, skype keep in touch,” she said. “It’s amazing that I still have friends from my first year here and this year.”

For the instructors, the opportunity to watch these students take to challenges is rewarding. “Working with Duke TIP has been an amazing experience,” said Rue, the forensic science instructor. “The students are great and the staff in the program are very supportive,” she said. “I really enjoy the alternative teaching environment of the Duke TIP program.”

Eric O'Neal and Staci Green are students at NC Central University who are working this summer with the Duke Office of News and Communication.