Male professor and male student (wearing white lab coats) in labratory carrying out tests using syringe.

Professor Lee demonstrates crime lab techniques.

By Pat Lopes Harris, Media Relations Director

The CSI TV series has spawned a terrific professional training opportunity for Bay Area teachers.

The College of Applied Sciences and Arts will host the 2011 Forensic Science Educational Conference beginning July 14th.  The conference will be organized by the Forensic Science Program and the Department of Justice Studies.

“The goal of this prestigious conference is to increase science teachers’ knowledge of the forensic sciences and to assist them as they enrich and develop challenging, innovative curricula,” said Justice Studies Chair Mark Correia.

This is the first time the event will be held on the West Coast, and SJSU Forensic Science Program Director Steven Lee is hard at work developing an agenda and lining up speakers. The three-day conference is expected to bring approximately 150 teachers to campus, where they will hear from dozens of  leading experts.

“Attendees will take with them a wealth of information, knowledge, hands-on training experience, and modules for use in their own classrooms and laboratories,” Lee said.

Faculty members from three SJSU colleges (science, social sciences, and applied sciences and arts) and three CSUs (Fresno, Hayward and Los Angeles) will speak. The U.S. Justice Department, San Jose Police Department, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives will also participate.

The agenda includes an overview of crime scene procedures, arson, explosives and fire debris analysis, firearms and toolmarks, and homicide and death investigations. The American Academy of Forensic Sciences developed the event nine years ago to leverage TV and media coverage of the field into ”a stronger interest in science learning among our nation’s young people.”