CSM Forensics Class visits Kansas City crime lab

College of Saint Mary Advanced Forensic Science students recently toured the Johnson County Crime Lab in Kansas City, KS. The students were able to witness how a large forensic science lab functions and see the equipment and skills forensic scientists use on a daily basis.

Dr. Amanda Roe, Assistant Professor of Biology, says it was an amazing experience for her students.

“I think the most important part was the ladies had the opportunity to ask very specific questions about techniques and protocols that the scientists use every day and relate it back to what we discuss in lecture. We toured the Lincoln Police Department's forensic lab earlier this semester. It's smaller, with less equipment, and with fewer people. So It was eye-opening for the students to see the difference.”

Students spent time with each unit: toxicology, trace evidence, ballistics, DNA, crime scene investigation, fingerprints, and chemistry.

“This field has a lot of room to grow and hearing concerns from professionals who are in it every day gave our students the knowledge to change the system for the better as they strive to become forensic science practitioners.”

Checking out the crime scene van.	Ashley Tagert, CSM nursing student, using a technique to ‘see’ a filed off serial number, typically seen with firearms.
Learning about fingerprinting techniques.	In the toxicology lab, discussing drug overdoses and how they test for them.