Forensic students in Ms. Miller’s fourth period class recreated crime scenes in their science lab with the help of Wylie Police Department Sergeant Tommy Walters.  With trifold cardboard posters, white butcher paper, fake blood, a protractor, measuring devices and a hammer they investigated how the forensic specialist is able to determine whether the case was an act of self-defense or brutal beating.

“In 2003 a lady was accused of murder. She claimed it was self-defense,” Sergeant Walters said.  “With lab investigations we were able to see that the man was actually crawling while she was beating him.”

Students in the forensic science class covered their cardboard poster with the butcher paper and elevated it at different angles. They calculated the approximate place of origin of the aggressor.

“Another case was in which six football players jumped two kids and also tried to claim self-defense,” Sergeant Walters said. “I traced back the blood drops and found the origin of the attacker. By obtaining this information we were able to see that he had this kid huddled up in a corner while he kicked his head.”

The forensic students also recreated a blood spatter scene in which the blood would be drawn in scattered amounts depending on the velocity of the throw. It was recreated by soaking the edge of a sponge with the fake, protein based, blood and hitting it had with a hammer.
“I really enjoyed this blood spatter unit,” senior Lexie Brown said. “I’m really glad I didn’t get my white pants stained with the blood.”