NW Valley Times

Students at Global Credit Union Arena in Grand Canyon University had the opportunity to immerse themselves in the world of forensic science during the annual Forensic Science Day. The event, which attracted fifty Arizona high schools, aimed to inspire juniors and seniors to consider a career in science, particularly in forensic science.

Melissa Beddow, Associate Professor and Program Director of Forensic Science at GCU, highlighted the goal of the event, stating, “Our goal is to show juniors and seniors our beautiful campus as well as talk about careers in forensic science. We hope to inspire students to pursue a career in science and hope they will do so at GCU.”

Students engaged in various crime investigation activities, toured DNA labs, and interacted with GCU forensic science faculty and students. One of the highlights of the day was the Crime Scene Challenge, where students had the opportunity to investigate a mock crime scene, analyze blood splatter patterns, examine shoe impressions, and more.

Senior forensic science major Jenna Sweet shared her experience of attending Forensic Science Day as a high school senior, stating, “The activities really convinced me that I definitely want to do this as a career.” Similarly, senior forensic science major Faith Lauer expressed the popularity of the blood splatter and analysis activity, joking, “Who doesn’t like a little blood?”

The event also showcased class projects by GCU forensic science seniors and featured exhibits from the Phoenix Police Department’s Crime Laboratory, displaying real crime evidence and devices used in investigations.

The day concluded with a demonstration by the Phoenix Police K9 unit, where students and faculty gathered to watch Urosh, a Belgian Malinois, respond to commands and perform acrobatics. Senior forensic science major Delaney Richardson encouraged incoming students, stating, “No matter what anyone says about it being difficult, you should do it and stick with it because college is hard no matter what.”

The success of Forensic Science Day at GCU was evident in the enthusiasm of both high school visitors and current students. As senior forensic science major Catherine Hendrick reflected on the event, she emphasized its impact on her decision to pursue a career in forensic science, saying, “The activities really convinced me that I definitely want to do this as a career.”

The event served as a platform for aspiring forensic scientists to explore the field, interact with professionals, and gain valuable insights into the world of forensic science.