Students studying criminal justice at UIndy receive practical forensic science training

Indianapolis, Indiana – The University of Indianapolis’ criminal justice students are studying the ins and outs of crime scene investigation through a practical method.

Future generations of forensic scientists require some practice before they go out and begin examining crime scenes for themselves. At the university’s Criminal Justice Education Lab, housed in an ancient house on campus, UIndy students can do just that.

Every week, a new crime scene is revealed as you enter the residence. Additionally, there is a group of committed detectives working to solve the case. That crime scene is an exercise, and only those detectives are students.

The lab is as authentic as it gets, according to UIndy Adjunct Professor Doug Boxler, who stated, “This isn’t like a crime scene, the only true aspect we are missing is actual evidence and an actual victim here.”

With decades of expertise looking into actual crimes in Marion County and Boone County, Boxler is a forensic scientist by profession. Additionally, he instructs UIndy criminal justice students.

“As a crime scene investigator, you essentially have to tell a story,” Boxler explained to his students. “And we use our scene notes, sketches, photos, and videos to tell that story.”

Every inch of Boxler’s fictitious crime scenes is examined by his students. They accomplish this while learning the nuances of gathering data and documenting supporting evidence.

Jenna Taghikhani, a senior at UIndy, explained, “We do a lot of blood splatter stuff, fingerprinting, taking molds of our shoe prints.” And it goes without saying that I wouldn’t do that somewhere else. Since few people would have the opportunity to do this, simply being in this class is a big advantage.

In order to better comprehend how the weather might occasionally provide additional hurdles to an investigation, the class even made the most of Thursday’s snowfall.

Boxler’s personal experiences serve as the basis for a large number of situations and fictitious crime scenes.

He remarked, “I don’t like to bring what you’d expect to see in a movie or a true crime show.” “I apply what I’ve observed at actual crime scenes.”

According to the students, this presents a challenge. They added that it gives them a fresh perspective on things.

Gracie Tharp, a junior at UIndy, stated, “I’ve learned how the little things matter.” It’s what you don’t notice when you walk into the room. This teaches us to focus on the details that are closest to us and that we could miss if we only look at them at first.

According to Boxler and his pupils, this experiential learning approach provides them with a realistic blueprint of what to anticipate in the actual world.

“I enjoy learning,” Tharp remarked. “I adore reading. However, reading won’t provide me this experience. These fictitious scenes help me get ready for the future.

Even its own final exam for new hires is administered in the lab by the Marion County Crime Lab.