[485] CSI:MTSU 2015 summer camp still has spots open for young scientists

MURFREESBORO — There’s still time and room for curious young investigators to dig into the 2015 CSI:MTSU Forensic Summer Youth Camp, but organizers say participants should register today to ensure a place.

Registration is underway for the annual four-day program for area students entering ninth through 12th grades, as well as rising college freshmen. This year's camp is scheduled June 16-19 at MTSU from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.

Now in its eighth year, each CSI:MTSU camp features a different crime scenario and different locations on and around the MTSU campus for students to investigate and use as learning tools for future careers.

Registration is $250 per student, which includes all camp activities, labs, lunches, snacks and a CSI:MTSU T-shirt for each camper. A handful of scholarships are still available to cover the registration cost; for more information or to register online, visit http://www.csimtsu.com and click on the "CSI:MTSU Camp" link or call 615-494-7713.

The CSI:MTSU campers will jump right into exploring on their first day, when they’ll be working with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Forensic Services Division and its Crime Response Team’s crime-scene vehicle.

They’ll face a re-creation of an actual crime scene and work in teams to solve the crime with the help of forensic professionals who serve as coaches.

During their four-day camp, participants will learn the fundamentals of collecting and processing all the evidence they’ve discovered, including fingerprints, fibers, DNA, shoe prints and simulated blood spatter. They’ll learn how to conduct interviews and develop theories as a team, then they’ll present their findings and conclusions to a panel of forensic scientists on the last day of camp.

Along with CSI:MTSU camps, the Forensic Institute for Research and Education, established in 2006 by MTSU anthropology professor Dr. Hugh Berryman, offers free public lectures featuring renowned forensic-science experts each semester.

FIRE also provides regular educational and training opportunities for law enforcement, medical examiners, coroners, attorneys, social workers and other groups in forensic science and homeland security. To learn more about other FIRE programs and events, contact the FIRE offices at 615-494-7713 at fire@mtsu.edu or visit http://www.mtsu.edu/fire.