Starting the early morning of August 4th, an enthusiastic group of Downingtown STEM Academy students took time out of their summer break to participate in a Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) Course with Officers from the Downingtown Police Department. This 3-day course, which has been running for over a decade, provides students with a basic introduction to crime scene investigation. Covering important topics such as CSI team structure and dynamics, proper documentation, responsibilities, and evolving technology.

Officers from the Downingtown Police Department partnered with professionals from several other public safety agencies to make this course a success. The STEM Academy students had the opportunity to meet and work alongside professionals from the Chester County District Attorney's Office, the Chester County Fire Marshal's Office, the Westtown-East Goshen Police Department, the Chester County Coroner's Office, and the Montgomery County Bomb Squad. Each agency representative had the opportunity to speak with the students about the crucial role their agency plays when interacting with police officers who are handling specialized crime scene investigations. 

Special thanks go to Downingtown PD's own Detective Andy Trautmann and Officer Kevin Coyle for putting this program together, and to our supportive partners at the Downingtown STEM Academy for assisting with holding this amazing training opportunity for the STEM students. Thank you to our partners, Assistant District Attorney Bonnie Cox-Shaw, Assistant Fire Marshal Randall Patton, Assistant Fire Marshal Lance Smith, Westtown-East Goshen PD Sgt. Ted Lewis, Deputy Coroner Robert Ferrante, Deputy Coroner Alison Weikel, and Montgomery County Sheriff's Department Lt. Al Stewart and Cpl. John Foster. 

Thank you to Miller's Auto Services for the vehicle's donated for this course.

(Depicted in picture 1 : Student holding ballistic evidence from mock scene. Depicted in picture 2: Group of students examining evidence on a white SUV at the mock scene.)