CSI Junior Academy investigators tried to establish rapport with a difficult witness, Carrie Cans (Terri McCraner of the Prosecutor's Office) by also placing pots on their heads during questioning. An avid recycler, the chief suspect a wants Dowagiac to "go green." (The Daily News/John Eby)
CSI Junior Academy investigators tried to establish rapport with a difficult witness, Carrie Cans (Terri McCraner of the Prosecutor's Office) by also placing pots on their heads during questioning. An avid recycler, the chief suspect a wants Dowagiac to "go green." (The Daily News/John Eby)

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CSI Jr. Academy

Published 10:06am Friday, August 21, 2009
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This week’s CSI Junior Academy at Southwestern Michigan College culminates this afternoon with a mock trial at the Law and Courts Building in Cassopolis.

Behind mysterious and unusual deaths, there are always investigators trying to solve them.

TV shows such as “CSI” (Crime Scene Investigation) brought the world of forensic science into the mainstream.

Now, many young adults aspire to be the next Horatio Caine.

SMC, in collaboration with Educational Talent Search, Dowagiac Police Department, Cass County Sheriff’s Office, Cass County Prosecutor’s Office and the Cass County courts hosted the academy Monday, Aug. 17, through today, Aug. 21, on SMC’s Dowagiac campus.

Students experience everything from gathering evidence and processing a crime scene to presenting the case they assemble before a jury and judge.

Thursday, Aug. 20, the cadets worked with real attorneys to interview witnesses at Mathews Conference Center.

Students will complete their week with a graduation ceremony at Camp Friedenswald this evening.

Eighteen participants are middle schoolers in sixth, seventh and eighth graders from across Cass County.

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