October Blog

Happy October Everyone!

We are so excited to have inducted 47 new members into Science NHS this year! We are grateful to continue growing our club and expanding scientific outreach throughout the community.

To fit the Halloween theme, our science topic of the month is forensic science! Forensic science is the application of different branches of science, including biology, chemistry, and physics, to solve crimes and answer legal questions. Rather than relying only on eyewitness stories, forensic scientists examine the hard, physical evidence left behind at a crime scene. They use techniques such as mapping DNA profiling, fingerprints analysis, and digital data forensics to connect suspects to a crime or prove one's innocence.

Inside of forensics, there are many different branches that specialize on specific aspects of crime investigation analysis. Some examples of these disciplines are DNA analysis, toxicology, anthropology, and ballistics examination. Ultimately, forensic scientists collect and analyze evidence from a scene and turn it into solid, scientific facts that can be used to serve justice in a courtroom.

How Can You Get Involved?

There are plenty of ways to get involved in forensic science, starting with right here at CGHS!

Introduction to Forensics

Juniors and seniors are eligible to take a course called Introduction to Forensics (3092). In this class, students use scientific inquiry in order to identify, collect and analyze valid forensic evidence. Some topics that are covered include historical applications, case studies in criminal justice, clean laboratory techniques, blood typing, blood spatter analysis, fingerprint, DNA analysis, forensic entomology, processing a crime scene, firearms and tool marks examination and evidence storage, and mock trials.

HOSA Forensic Science Competition

HOSA's State Leadership Conference has a competition event called Forensic Science. In this event, HOSA members work as a team to apply their knowledge and skills in creating a solution to a forensic science-related problem.

This competitive event consists of two rounds, and each team consists of two (2) people. Round One is a written test that evaluates the team's understanding of forensic science. The test score from Round One will be used to qualify the team for Round Two. In Round Two, teams will be given a case study to analyze, including physical evidence and written information such as police reports and an autopsy. Teams may have time to view a "crime scene" and/or review resources to write their conclusions with supporting evidence. This event aims to inspire members to be proactive future health professionals and critically examine elements of a forensic case.

Also, there are summer opportunities to further explore forensic science. These are a few excellent programs in Indiana to look into:

Ball State University Forensic Science Summer Camp

• This is a 5-day residential program that is open for rising sophomore, juniors, and seniors. Students will learn through educational workshops and laboratory experiences by academic and career professionals. The application for the 2027 program (early June) will open in February 2027.
• If interested, you can find more information here: https://www.bsu.edu/academics/collegesanddepartments/csh/academic-programs/forensic-science/high-school-summer-camp

Indiana Wesleyan University Forensic Science Camp

• This is a 5-day residential program that is open for rising sophomores to graduating seniors. Students will learn about major areas of forensics such as fingerprinting, blood spatter analysis, and forensic anthropology, which will be applied through solving a simulated crime scene. The registration for 2027 has not yet been posted.
• If interested, you can find further information here: https://www.indwes.edu/events/academic-youth-programs/summer-academy/forensic-science-camp

Saint Mary's College Forensic Science Institute

• This is a week-long residential program that is open for high school girls entering grades 9-12. Students will solve a simulated murder using skills learned through the program, analyze evidence using specialized equipment in the Saint Mary's lab, and take a tour of the local police station and experience a real crime lab. The registration will be available later this fall.
• If interested, you can find further information here: https://www.saintmarys.edu/camps/forensic

We hope this helps provide guidance for ways to get involved in forensics. On top of these opportunities, our Scientific Guest Speaker Panel on October 22nd will feature Ms. Lamer, who is a DNA analyst at an Indianapolis crime lab. This is a great way to learn more about forensic science from someone working in the field.

Along with our speaker panel, we will have our October morning meeting on October 20th. We are excited to see you then!