Yellow caution tape surrounded desks, chalk outlines filled the front of the lab and fingerprint examinations replaced tests this week for the forensics classes’ unit on crime scene investigation. This approach gave students a chance to use their knowledge for real-world scenarios and not multiple-choice questions.

“Students got to see what investigators do with a real crime. I want them to know how to process an actual crime

scene,” forensics teacher Cecilia King said. “They have to physically measure all of the evidence, make sure they’ve collected all of the data in a scientific manner and read fingerprints. People learn better when they touch things with their bare hands.”

The theory that students absorb knowledge better through kinesthetic means may be true. Some Wildkats believe that the opportunity to work on a life-like crime scene helped them retain information.

“Doing this assignment helped me understand how to search for evidence properly in a crime scene,” junior Annabelle Dahlberg said. “I think it helps us because it gives students experience. The assignment shows us not just how to do something, but what to do in certain scenarios.”

The physical style of learning proved beneficial to some students. It may even be an improvement on old teaching tactics. 

“This way of doing work is definitely more effective for me because I got a great grade on the assignment,” junior Miracle Carter said. “Having my actual hands on the scene rather than a piece of paper definitely brought other parts of the unit to my attention.”