Collection of Crime Scene Evidence is Taught at Affton High

Many thanks to the Affton School District's Erica Chandler for sharing this information with the community. Have some news to share? Email Lindsay.Toler@patch.com or post an announcement directly to the site.

Members of the St. Louis County Police Department spoke to students in the Project Lead the Way Biomedical program at Affton High School on Wednesday, Oct. 24. Detective Sam Crespo, from the Crime Scene Department of the St. Louis County Police, and Ryan Campbell, Forensic Scientist III – Chemistry, related how their professions involve the biomedical sciences. 

The HOSA (Health Occupation Student Association) students learned about the tests and data collection that goes on in a crime scene from Detective Crespo, including how the collection of blood, fingerprints and other physical evidence is gathered and properly documented for further investigation. The information covered was an extension of the very first activity the students completed during the first year of the biomedical program.

Additionally, Mr. Campbell related how the testing done in the St. Louis County Crime Lab is performed in the biomedical program at Affton. These include Gel Electrophoresis, Polymerase Chain Reaction and Forensic Anthropology testing. Included in the presentation was a detailed explanation on the importance of the molecular structure and DNA tests when comparing evidence that has been gathered.

“One of the most important things we can do as educators is provide our students exposure to see how what they’re learning is applicable to life outside of school,” said Tim Knox, lead teacher for the Project Lead the Way Biomedical program. “These students are taking away tangible knowledge they couldn’t otherwise receive in the classroom.”

For more stories from the Affton School District, please see the following articles:

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• Affton Teacher Awarded Missouri Teacher of the Year
• Affton Student Recognized as Chamber's Student of the Month