Crime scene houses help provide real world experience for students

Fingerprints? Check. Blood stains? Check. Murder mystery? Check.

Students at West Virginia University in the Forensics Department have the chance to analyze a crime scene – a simulated one, that is.

WVU's crime scene houses serve as makeshift scenes of what students could possibly see in the future, said Casper Venter, director of the Forensic Facilities.

"We have fingerprints, equipment to make blood stains on the walls and ceilings, dummies and ballistic investigation," Venter said. "The advantage of the crime analysis is to make it as real as possible for the students."

Solving a crime in the houses is a process of trial and error, Venter said. Possible scenarios include shootings, beatings and fires.

The students are allowed to use cameras, test the bloodstains and analyze the fingerprints as if it is a real crime scene, he said.

Once the students finish analyzing the area, they present their opinion of what they think happened and find out the truth, he said.

By setting up different scenes for students each year, it allows them to get as much knowledge and skills as possible, Venter said.

"It is not just about knowledge," Venter said. "I can sit here and tell you facts and how to do things, but having the hands-on experience lets you learn the skills."

Students participate in the program based on the focus of their major, Venter said. Forensic chemistry, forensic biology and forensic investigation majors work in the houses.

By focusing on their specific majors, Venter said it gives them the opportunity to work on their shortcomings.

"It allows us to see what our students need help the most on," Venter said. "It not only lets us help them, but allows them to see what they need to work on."

The houses not only help

forensic students but also allow students who are incorporated with forensics to get experience.

Over the summer, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) came and let students involved in forensic accounting work in the houses as well, said Arron Scott Fleming, assistant accounting professor in the College of Business and Economics.

"It was nice that the students got to see what solving a crime was like," Fleming said. "In solving white collar crimes, most crimes have a financial aspect."

Students were able to apply the financial side of forensic accounting to solving crimes in the houses, Fleming said.

"The houses are a closer look into the real world," Fleming said. "It has helped a lot of our students get job placements, especially with the ATF."