Aspiring Detectives Get a Clue at Sandburg's Criminal Justice Youth Camp
Aaron Frey
Friday, July 30, 2021 10:41 AM
Campus News
Galesburg, IL
A group of detectives was on the case of a burglary at Carl Sandburg College this week, but these weren’t officers in uniform. They were students ranging from ages 11-14 taking part in a two-day criminal justice camp.
“It’s been really fun,” said 12-year-old Aubrey Hall of Monmouth. “I knew we were going to investigate something, but I had no idea what it would be or what to expect. I really like investigating.”
Participants in the Get a Clue camp walked through key elements of criminal investigations, such as how to examine a crime scene, search for evidence and properly collect it, all while using the same techniques and materials as actual law enforcement officials.
“We broke down how everything evolves from the commission of the crime to the conviction of the suspect,” said Sandburg coordinator of criminal justice Dr. Christopher Barber, who led the camp.
Highlights for the students included dusting for and lifting fingerprints as well as using an electrostatic dust lifter to collect footprints. They also created shoe castings for footprints they had found outside at the crime scene. Campers also learned an important lesson that crimes aren’t necessarily solved in a tidy 60 minutes like they might find on shows like “CSI” or “Law & Order.”
“One of the biggest benefits is it gives them the idea that what they see on TV doesn't quite happen that way in reality,” Barber said. “It really shows them that there's a lot that goes into doing investigative work.”
To learn more about other youth camps and programs at Sandburg, visit the Corporate & Leisure webpage on www.sandburg.edu or email community@sandburg.edu.
Carl Sandburg College coordinator of criminal justice Dr. Christopher Barber (middle) goes over how to dust for fingerprints with a participant in the Get a Clue criminal justice youth camp on July 28 at Sandburg. The two-day camp walked through key elements of criminal investigations while using the same techniques and materials as actual law enforcement officials.