Karr's Forensics Class Takes Page From 'CSI'
Summer students probe 'crime scene'

June 8, 2007
by Brian Friedman
The Times Picayune

In his book "Everything Bad Is Good for You," Steven Johnson asserts that many of the things commonly blamed for ruining our nation's young minds -- such as pop music and, in particular, television -- are actually having the opposite effect.

And while his thesis is debatable, it finds support in Ronesha Dennis, a recent graduate of Edna Karr Senior High School, who just completed the school's summer forensics class.

"I know this is going to sound a little bit crazy, but 'CSI' was always one of my favorite shows," said Dennis, explaining what drew her to the class, "And forensics is something that's really interesting, because you can apply the scientific method to criminal justice, and I always thought that was very interesting."

Dennis, who will be attending Howard University in Washington, D.C., this fall, said her favorite part of the class was investigating a mock crime scene in the school cafeteria where a "theft" had occurred.

"We did the fingerprinting and things like that," Dennis said. "That was definitely one of the better parts."

The course "completely supports our emphasis on using the scientific method and understanding methods of inquiry," said Henry Reed, Karr's science department chairman.

"It used skills from all of the sciences in doing things like DNA identification, fingerprint analysis and laboratory techniques."

The program was aided by the Tiger Woods Foundation's Help Team, which instituted a forensics program for schools across the Katrina-ravaged Gulf Coast. The foundation also donated 28 brand new laptop computers and software to Karr, which the forensics students used to perform virtual investigations.

Court TV also provided materials in the form of crime-scene scenarios for the course, Reed said. The program was so well-received, Reed added, that it led to the implementation of a new forensics class that will be offered to Karr's juniors and seniors this academic year.

he class was just one of many enrichment opportunities offered to Karr students this summer. Supplemental Graduation Exit Exam preparations have been made available to those students who need it, said Reed, as have classes in math, music and ACT prep.