RAYLAND - "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" may be just a television show, but Buckeye Local High School students are getting their own lesson in forensics during their after-school program.
Science teacher Amy Basinger has been instructing the six-week class since fall and it wraps up before Christmas. Basinger said the class gives the pupils a look at what it could be like as a CSI, and the course has sparked interest in the real deal.
"I teach them how to lift fingerprints and I talk to them about crime scenes," she said. "We also do CSI rookie scenes on the computer."
Photo provided Students in Buckeye Local High Schools after-school program look at their own fingerprints during a forensics class. The 12-week program winds down this month, and teacher Amy Basinger said it has spurred interest in students to study it further in college.
About 12 pupils have participated in the sessions and the forensics component has been part of the after-school program for the past two years. Basinger, who instructs high school physical science, biology and medical mysteries, said she also introduced forensics into her classroom lessons before adding it to the current program.
"I love forensics," Basinger commented. "Four or five years ago, I added it to the classroom. When they were adding the after-school program, I said I would add this class."
She said the response has been positive.
"They love it. We've had a couple of kids go on to become accepted to West Virginia University's forensics program."
The forensics course is one of many offered during the after-school program and is available from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. on Tuesdays.
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Buckeye Local students get a lesson in forensics