Mahopac Middle School students recently turned a classroom into a bustling crime lab with a hands-on mock investigation as part of the school’s Law Club, thanks to the support of the Town of Carmel Police Department.
The students arrived to find a staged robbery scene, complete with signs of a forced entry, scattered evidence and a few unexpected twists. They were tasked with examining the crime scene, gathering and analyzing evidence, interviewing suspects and ultimately determining who committed the fictional break-in. The activity brought real-world forensic techniques to life as the students analyzed footprints, dusted for fingerprints and used black lights to locate hidden clues. Among the red herrings planted to challenge the students was an unopened bag of Cheetos and some orange dust that sparked some lively discussion.
As the investigation unfolded, the students searched for evidence and pieced together their cases. They discovered screwdrivers believed to be used in the break-in and examined fingerprints to match them to the suspects. Throughout the activity, the students practiced observation, critical thinking and drawing evidence-based conclusions.
“We knew we would be teaching kids how to approach a crime scene, but I was surprised by the level of energy and enthusiasm the kids brought to it,” club adviser David Gordon said.
Carmel detectives were on the scene, coaching the students through the investigative process and highlighting both best practices and common mistakes in evidence gathering. The students then applied those lessons during suspect interviews, using their collected evidence to make informed accusations.
The experience was made possible thanks to Officer Vincent Serio of the Carmel Police Department, who coordinated the effort. Special thanks to Officer Serio, Chief Anthony Hoffman, Sgt. Erin Macom, Detective Devon Sanborn and Detective Brian Smith for sharing their time and expertise with the students.
In addition, five faculty volunteers helped bring the simulation to life by appearing in surveillance footage and fielding questions from the amateur sleuths. The Law Club thanked teachers Michael Evers, Frances Gordon, Jonathan King, Lindsay Macchio, and Kevin Reilly for their participation.
The club, which is in its inaugural year at the middle school, was founded by Gordon, a senior fellow with the James Madison Institute, who previously led a law lab for over a decade. He created it as a way of expanding access to students who might be interested in careers in law.
Throughout the school year, the MMS Law Club has welcomed several guest speakers, including Col. George Mohl of the New York State Police and New York State Supreme Court Justice Robert Ondrovic. The year culminated in the mock crime scene event, with plans already underway for an even more elaborate scenario next school year.
