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Crime scene tape blocked off half the room.

Past the tape was a tipped-over chair with a boot print on the back, a can of green tea and a dirty glove. Shattered glass from a nearby window was on the floor, along with two types of bullet casings and a wrench.

Crime scene investigators took in the scene, making sure not to disturb evidence as they walked around, snapping photos.

But it wasnt your typical crime scene. The glass was made of aluminum foil. The shattered window was drawn onto a piece of paper on the wall. And the investigators were all high school students documenting evidence on their smartphones, learning what it means to be a crime scene investigator.

About 40 teens participated in the Omaha Police Departments second annual CSI Day on Saturday. The high school students learned everything that goes into analyzing a crime scene, from gathering evidence, fingerprinting, analyzing handwriting and even using a 3-D laser scanner to map out a crime scene.

Were really trying to educate them on what we do, so they can decide if this is a career they want to do, said Sgt. Erin Payne, a member of the Omaha Police crime prevention unit.

Part of that education, Payne said, is realizing the difference between crime scene investigation in real life and on the screen.

So many times you see these TV shows, and its just misleading to students that are looking for a career as a crime scene investigator, Payne said. Thats what they think it is. Its not quite as glamorous as the movies make it out to be.

No Hummers or fancy clothes, like Horatio Caine on CSI: Miami. Attire tends to be all black, to mask any mess made on the job.

No guns, because most investigators are civilians and not sworn officers. And no six-figure salaries, Payne tells the students. Instead, investigator salaries average about $45,000 a year.

That surprised some students.

On TV, theyre not working 24/7, 365 days a year, said Kelsie Watson, a senior at Westside High School, after hearing that some homicide investigations can last over 16 hours. Seeing the pay difference and knowing they get paid less than what they do is an eye-opener.

Most of the lessons Saturday were nothing new for recent graduate Stephen Miali. Hes been an Omaha Police Department Explorer throughout high school, getting to know officers and learning from members of each department.

Miali was born into a military family and has an uncle who is a policeman. He said he plans to pursue criminal justice in the fall at the University of Nebraska at Omaha.

In todays day and age theres a lot of scrutiny over police departments, Miali said. This lets (students) learn what police officers have to deal with on a daily basis. Theres a lot they have to see.

Payne said programs such as CSI Day and the Explorers Post serve as Police Department recruiting tools, and the hands-on activities help kids decide whether law enforcement is for them before getting to college.

Payne even knows some Omaha police officers and state troopers who started off as Explorers.

Its really cool to see these kids come through starting early in their high school career, Payne said. And now you get the opportunity to work alongside them after theyve moved into law enforcement.

Brownell Talbot's Madison Whitmore practices taking crime scene photos at the Public Safety Training Center.

Bennington's Isaac Jacobs, left, and Brownell Talbot's Madison Whitmore practice taking crime scene photos at the Public Safety Training Center on July 8. The Omaha Police Department Crime Scene Investigators hosted a C.S.I. Day in Omaha for high school students.

Brownell Talbot's Madison Whitmore watches forensic manager William Henningsen demonstrate a Leica ScanStation P30 to make a 3-D scan of a mock crime scene.

Forensic investigator Molly Reil

Forensic manager William Henningsen talks about making 3-D scan of crime scenes at the Public Safety Training Center.

Forensic manager William Henningsen

Forensic manager William Henningsen demonstrates how to make a 3-D scan of a mock crime scene. The Omaha Police Department hosted a C.S.I. Day in Omaha for high school students on July 8.

Forensic tech Krystal Kirwan

Bennington's JJ Rischling dusts a can for fingerprints at the Omaha Police Department's C.S.I. Day in Omaha.

Papillion-La Vista South's Alison Falkinburg compares fingerprints with one she lifted from a can during the Omaha Police Department's C.S.I. Day.

Brownell Talbot's Madison Whitmore practices taking crime scene photos at the Public Safety Training Center.

Bennington's Isaac Jacobs, left, and Brownell Talbot's Madison Whitmore practice taking crime scene photos at the Public Safety Training Center on July 8. The Omaha Police Department Crime Scene Investigators hosted a C.S.I. Day in Omaha for high school students.

Brownell Talbot's Madison Whitmore watches forensic manager William Henningsen demonstrate a Leica ScanStation P30 to make a 3-D scan of a mock crime scene.

Forensic investigator Molly Reil

Forensic manager William Henningsen talks about making 3-D scan of crime scenes at the Public Safety Training Center.

Forensic manager William Henningsen

Forensic manager William Henningsen demonstrates how to make a 3-D scan of a mock crime scene. The Omaha Police Department hosted a C.S.I. Day in Omaha for high school students on July 8.

Forensic tech Krystal Kirwan

Bennington's JJ Rischling dusts a can for fingerprints at the Omaha Police Department's C.S.I. Day in Omaha.

Papillion-La Vista South's Alison Falkinburg compares fingerprints with one she lifted from a can during the Omaha Police Department's C.S.I. Day.

Original post:
Omaha police's CSI demonstration gives students a look at life as a forensic investigator - Omaha World-Herald