TOP ARIZONA SCHOOLS TO COMPETE IN “CSI ARIZONA” FORSENSIC SCIENCE SHOWCASE

May 16, 2007
Contact: Amy Koenig (602)340-7357
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What:    
The second annual “Arizona Forensic Science: Crime Scene Investigation Showcase” gives students from around the state the opportunity to showcase their investigation, analytical and presentation skills. Each team will be presented with a simulated crime scene and will be evaluated on the processing, documentation, examination, and interpretation of the crime scene, as well as their interviewing skills, and the final presentation of their hypothesis.

When:              
Friday, May 18, 2007
8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Where:
Black Canyon Conference Center
9440 N. 25th Ave. Phoenix, AZ 85201

Who:      
The Arizona Foundation for Legal Services & Education is the host of the competition, with support from the Phoenix Police Department.

Judges for the competition include Phoenix police officers, crime lab personnel, and science professionals. Representatives from the Arizona Domestic Violence Legal Services Project, attending the state wide Legal Services Conference at the same location will be acting as witnesses in the case.

The teams were selected based on a report they submitted documenting how the evidence from a mock crime scene was processed, preserved, analyzed and interpreted. Each of the 20 reports submitted were evaluated by a panel of police officers and the top 5 Middle School and top 5 High School submissions were invited to the State Showcase.

State Finalists and Coaches:

  • Centennial Middle School* – Yuma - Officer Alan Ieen, Vicky Farland,  Elaine Fortes
  • Crane Middle School - Yuma - Officer(s) Ben Olivas/Ken Vandersloot, Cindy Karvel
  • Desert Sands Middle School  - Phoenix - Officer Jason Corona, John Halverson
  • Sierra Vista Middle School – Sierra Vista - Officer Wanda Leikem
  • Cibola High School – Yuma- Officer Ken Vandersloot, Shawn Ferry
  • East Valley Institute of Technology – Mesa - Officer Art Motroni, Brian Kennedy
  • North Canyon High School* – Phoenix - Officer Chris Huffman, Don Davis

(*Note: some schools are sending more than one team to the state showcase)

About Arizona’s Forensic Science Program
CSI Arizona is a Forensic Science program which combines science and law to provide students with the opportunity to develop skills in both fields through the application of crime scene analysis, evidence gathering, critical thinking, and communication and presentation skills. Students are able to engage in practical experience of applying the law and science to a real life scenario. The Foundation provides training and support for teachers in the program through the Law Related Education Academy, and hosts the competition. The only other state to hold a forensic competition is New York.
 
About the Arizona Foundation for Legal Services and Education
The Foundation provides technical and financial assistance to legal aid organizations, schools and community groups working toward “access to justice for all Arizonans” through law-related education and free legal services.
 
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