Every few months, professors in the department teach workshops for undergraduate forensic and investigative science students who are not yet in the program. These workshops give them an inside look into crime scene investigation and the field of forensic science. This past month, Robert O’Brien taught the basics of bullet trajectory and distance determination.
After listening to a short lecture on the basics of the topic, students participated in four lab activities: distance determination using gunshot residue patterns, a trajectory exercise involving a vehicle, and two mock scenes. Students used analytical reasoning at each of the stations to determine what happened and how an investigator could approach a scene containing this type of evidence.
Students had fun and learned a lot in the process. Many expressed an interest in the topic and eagerly await admission to the program.
Below: Demonstration of bullet trajectory using a laser enhanced with photo fog