April 29, 2006
Print Press Release

The Arizona Foundation for Legal Services & Education is pleased to announce the State Champions of this year’s 1st Annual Forensic Science Competition. The winner of the Middle School division was the team from Centennial Middle School from Yuma, coached by School Resource Officer Alan Ienn & Teacher Elaine Potes. From the High School division, the winner was North Canyon High School Team 3 from Phoenix, coached by School Resource Officer Merry Huffman & Teacher Don Davis.

Other teams competing, all receiving “Outstanding” ratings, were Clarkdale/Jerome Elementary School from Clarkdale, Desert Sands Middle School Teams 1 & 2 from Phoenix, East Valley Institute of Technology from Mesa, North Canyon High School Teams 1, 2 & 3 from Phoenix, Superior High School from Superior, and Willcox High School from Willcox.

The competition was held on Saturday, April 29, 2006 at Isaac Middle School, 3402 W. McDowell Rd., Phoenix. Each team was provided a realistic crime scene scenario, and was required to gather and analyze the evidence to solve the crime. The teams were judged on the evidence gathering process, critical thinking skills, and oral presentation of their findings.

The Forensic Science Competition was hosted by the Arizona Foundation for Legal Services & Education with the support of the Arizona Department of Education and the Phoenix Police Department. This will be an annual event in honor of "Access to Justice" month.