New Britain students get hands-on forensics experience at Quinnipiac University

HAMDEN, CT (WFSB) - For a group of high schoolers, it was like a scene right out of the hit television show CSI.

Dozens of students from New Britain spent the day at Quinnipiac University in Hamden with an in-depth look at a future career in forensic science.

They learned about the significance of broken bones, gun shot wounds, or even any signs of a disease, that could help investigations.

“We learn about forensics, figuring out cases, learning about bones, it’s all a good mix,” said Adelina Avdick, a New Britain High School junior.

For Avdick, Anelise Jones and their classmates from New Britain High’s Bio Medical Academy, examining real skeletons, or trying to put another model together, is bringing their science class to life.

“I like that it’s so hands on,” Jones, a sophomore, said. “We do a lot of these experiments in classroom, with fake skeletons, so now that we get to do it with real bones, it’s even better.”

It wasn’t just any class field trip.

The visit to Quinnipiac provided 50 high school students from the Hardware City with a chance to learn about forensic science up close and hands-on.

“For this age, they like to get excited, they like to see things, they like to try things and I think doing that in a way that’s constructive and educational is really key,” said Prof. Lisa Kaplan, Quinnipiac University.

From fiber analysis to skeletons, they try to determine not only how victims died, but also how old they were when they died.

“Things like bone, learning about case profiling, how do we test textiles for crime or other forensic case,” added Prof. Jaime Ullinger, Quinnipiac University.

The high schoolers were part of a health and science pathway program in conjunction with Ready CT, which focuses on career-connected learning for students.

“I think it’s a great opportunity to see yourself in a college space, on a university,” Ullinger said. “[It’s a] great experience to have access to some of the materials we have.”

For some, they said they’re already thinking about how the course can lead to a career.

“It gives us experience, all the different components, the science part, the hands-on part, and for me personally, I want to major in nursing,” Avdick said. “So, it’s kind of a start to get there and get some experience.”