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Every summer of June, the Maui Police Department hosts a Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) camp that consists of 40-hour week classes of demonstrations and activities for those interested in the field of Forensic Science. For 2021, a total of 10 students attended the CSI Camp. Among these individuals were Maui High School Sabers, Juniors, Joleen Alexander and Mackenzie Chun, and Seniors, Lee Jae Daguio, and Norlito Ranchez.
Before attending, students underwent a selection process which included submitting an application form with a student essay, teacher letter of recommendation, and resume. Selected students then participated in a short Zoom interview with Police Evidence Specialist II, Maureen Clayton. According to Clayton, the selection process is challenging each year. The MPD Crime Scene Unit, consisting of Clayton, Tony Earles, and Maria Vishnyakova, ensure to know each student better by paying attention to certain factors that indicate interest and seriousness about the camp. They consider when the application was turned in and how much effort was put into the essay. Although time-consuming, Clayton prefers students to have a similar full application process like when applying for higher education, jobs, or even careers in the future.
Sabers wanted to attend the CSI Camp due to fundamental interests. Joleen explains, she had a passion for Forensics in middle school and wanted to expand her learning.
Sabers wanted to attend the CSI Camp due to fundamental interests. Joleen explains, she had a passion for Forensics in middle school and wanted to expand her learning. “Once I realized I was too young to attend the camp, I was so disappointed but eager to wait until my junior year to apply.” The CSI Camp is only available for upcoming Juniors and Seniors. For Mackenzie Chun, crime scene investigation has always intrigued her from a young age but needed a way to help her decide whether or not to consider CSI as a full-time career. Lee Jae was simply fascinated with how the professionals proficiently handle the course of solving the mysteries in crime scenes.
The CSI Camp enabled the Sabers to digest multiple procedures in criminalistics through particular schemes. They engaged in Evidence Collection, Cybercrimes, Scene Diagramming, and many more held in the Forensic Facility. Two new activities were included this year, in which pairs worked to process small crime scenes and testify the findings in the Wailuku Courthouse on their last day of camp. Approximately 31 guest presenters such as the Maui Police Department, Maui Fire Department, Maui Prosecutor's Office, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Evidence Response Team attended this year's CSI Camp. Polygraph, bloodstain pattern, drug, and firearm analysis were some of the vast, forensics-related topics covered by the guests. When the program didn't have time to cover during the day, attendees at the CSI Camp also gave small lectures on subjects including anthropology, entomology, psychology, and trace evidence during their lunch break.
Out of all the activities, Sabers most enjoyed seeing a human autopsy. “These are experiences not many my age can say they’ve witnessed, and I think the autopsy has made me a lot more comfortable with accepting the fact that life doesn’t last forever,” Mackenzie says. The experience educated the students on how an inspection of a corpse is processed by the pathologist. “The pathologist pulled out the heart, dissected it, and showed us various underlying health problems,” Lee Jae illustrates.
According to Clayton, she was a bit worried that with such a jam-packed schedule, others would have trouble fitting everything in and would feel overworked. But, participants rose to the occasion and made the schedule (with some tweaking) roll seamlessly. They were prepared and asked great questions during each section. Courtroom testimony is stressful for even the most experienced, so Clayton was surprised and impressed that everybody presented a calm demeanor while taking the night before to review their pictures, notes, and scene sketches. Meaningless to say, Sabers felt otherwise and wished the CSI Camp was extended days more. Joleen wanted to learn and spend more time on each topic. Still, all were filled with excitement!
At first, the camp taught Joleen and Mackenzie to improve their public speaking, a valuable skill due to the months of quarantine at home for the virtual school year. Each Saber interacted with students from Baldwin High School, Hawai’i Technology Academy, Kaiser High School (Oahu), Kamehameha School - Maui, and Kihei Charter! The experience led Sabers a step closer towards their college, career, or personal goals they deem to accomplish. Furthermore, it certainly helped Mackenzie decide and pursue her career path in Forensics once she graduates. "I saw that the people who work there also have their own lives, which put my number one fear about this career path to bed—being married to my job." Lee Jae says he can apply the basic understanding of Forensics into his science classes.
Overall, the Sabers were grateful to attend this once-in-a-lifetime experience and would encourage others to join too! Joleen emphasizes there are multiple things you wouldn't be able to learn through TV and books; it’s a great way to do hands-on experience you can't get anywhere else at a mature age. Moreover, she mentions how others will meet teens your age interested in the same field. Lee Jae confirms that students can indulge in various interactive activities even if the individual is not interested in Forensics. Mackenzie believes that other factors in the camp beyond science can be appealing to students, considering how other occupations came, “The camp isn’t just about CSI and lab work like some people think it is.”
Apart from the attendees, Clayton voices on behalf of the MPD Crime Scene Unit in insisting on holding this event because “We love what we do! Being a crime scene investigator is a wonderful and rewarding profession that allows us to combine work in the field with work in the lab. It is a profession with a lot of diversity, both in topic/expertise and in our day-to-day schedules. We want to share what we do with students and discuss the different aspects of forensic science to encourage student interest and to demonstrate the different opportunities available.”
The MPD Crime Scene Unit serves the community in providing youth and students with education and opportunity. The County of Maui, Maui Police Department, and other agencies, successfully provide the CSI Unit with hands-on and integrated learning training for the students. Furthermore, participating students do not have to worry about the cost, as the program is made free.
Clayton also explains the CSI Camp is an excellent way to network with their instructors and peers. All guest instructors are open to further communication after camp, including answering questions and providing recommendations on advancing in the field. Participation at the CSI Camp helps with Senior Projects and resume building to assist with future school programs, internships, or job opportunities. “When getting into the field of forensic science, there are so many career choices and opportunities, whether you want to practice crime scene investigation in general, or you want to sub-specialize. Many school programs are built to allow entry into some of these specialized fields, such as majoring in forensic biology, forensic chemistry, forensic anthropology, etc.,” Clayton says. In general, Clayton believes both schools and employers like to see well-rounded individuals who spend their free time gaining experience and knowledge in the field that they enjoy. An empty resume can indicate a lack of determination and motivation.
Past CSI Camp participants have moved on to attend a college or university with forensic science as their major. Students have also entered forensic-related internships, such as at the MPD Drug Analysis Unit after Camp. This year, a CSI Camp student started a forensic science club at their high school. These kinds of reports and feedback make instructors, especially Clayton, heartened because it demonstrates that the CSI Camp has fulfilled its duties. “We love sharing our knowledge with students, and seeing those same students thrive! We hope that students keep applying to our program because it is our motivated and enthusiastic participants who make the program a success.”
Because of the new activities included this year, small changes to the schedule are planned to improve the camp flow next year. Regarding new topics, Clayton would like to expand the Digital Forensics section and might add a presentation by the MPD Traffic Section. The Traffic Section does a lot of work that different sections do not, such as 3D scanning (with a scanner or with a drone), scene reconstruction, tire/skid mark analysis, infotainment system, etc. The specific dates for CSI camp in June 2022 have not been determined; however, applications will likely be available at the end of March or the beginning of April next year.
Author’s Note:
Attending this CSI Camp has for sure set my endeavors. When I was in elementary school, I had always been intrigued by the fields of health and criminal law. A Forensic Scientist is one of these occupations and something I aspire to be. At first, I didn’t hear about the camp until my friend, Lee Jae mentioned it. I immediately started working on getting the application finished, putting my heart into it. Hearing that I was selected, I couldn’t wait for the time to come and complete the numerous activities Clayton and others planned! Many of the activities that caught my attention, especially during the autopsy, courtroom testimony, and shooting my first handgun for evidence, felt all surreal! Lee Jae and I also had a HOSA (Future Health Occupations) International Leadership Conference, competing for Forensic Science; however, we did not place. With much grit and perseverance, we strive to use the knowledge we gained through the CSI Camp for this year’s competition and use this opportunity to complete my Senior Project. I know that I would want to make a difference amongst environments in the future, and majoring in a science-related to my dream occupation will set these high standards. Genuinely, it was all about a “Manner of Passion.” I continue to strengthen my professionalism and leadership skills implemented from the camp towards the extracurriculars at my school while expanding the horizons of Forensics. My words of encouragement to others are to just take any chances you come upon as you never know where it may lead you.
