Real Life CSI: DP Todd’s Forensic Science Class

PRINCE GEORGE-  It’s not your typical science class. That’s why it’s such a hit with senior students at DP Todd Secondary. This is the second year Forensic Science has been offered as an elective and it only runs once during the school year. “I just saw a need to offer another option for students for electives and I had an interest in forensic science and I loved all the different sciences that are involved in it so I put it forward to administration,” said teacher, Tanya Begin, “both times for registration we’ve had over 30 students so it’s usually close to 30 in a class… it’s been great.”

For some, the lesson plan may seem dark, but that’s what keeps the students captivated by the class. “We dissected rats and found out how they died, so that was really cool,” said student, Courtney Edgson,”we had a forensic analyst come in and I was very intrigued with her job, she seemed like she loved it so much, I would love to do this in my future.” Other labs include dusting for fingerprints, making dental prints, and even the stages of body decomposition (with mice). Student, Mark Dhillon, wants to pursue an education in law and says this course will help him understand certain court cases. “Forensic is something that goes hand in hand with law and the criminal procedures that you need,” he said, “not only does it build up common sense but it also shows how evidence is used in cases, how cases are built around evidence, it shows how evidence can be mishandled.”