Criminal Justice program rolls out kids’ CSI Camp [Mar 16]

How do detectives collect evidence and what does it mean to secure a crime scene? Local youth will learn the answers to these and other questions during a new summer camp that may spark interest in an expanding field.

La Sierra University's Division of Continuing Studies and the Criminal Justice program will offer a CSI Camp this summer for youth ages 12 to 17. Each day, students will study skills used in today's crime fighting and learn what it takes to work in the fields of forensics and criminal justice. Forensics experts, trained by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Naval Investigative Services and other agencies, will serve as instructors and mentors on such topics as ballistic analysis, criminal profiling, CSI lab activities, blood spatter interpretations, finger printing, self-defense tactics, and police and sheriff physical fitness training.

The CSI Camp is a half-day program one week in duration and is offered on the following dates: July 9-13; 16-20; 23-27; and July 30-Aug. 3. Of the selected week, students may choose either morning or afternoon sessions which are held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. Tuition for the one-week program is $169 and includes CSI Camp activities, daily lunches, physical fitness activities, a program t-shirt, healthy snacks, water and juice.

The camp will be held at La Sierra University's Criminal Justice campus, 1305 Corona Pointe Court, Corona. Registration runs through Fri., June 22 at 12 p.m. Each half-day session is limited to 40 students. For further information call 951-272-6300.

“The program is designed to reinforce the importance of teamwork while building self-confidence through individual effort and education,” said Dr. Nancy Dittemore, director of La Sierra's Division of Continuing Studies. “Students develop skills including critical thinking, they meet new people and develop social skills, and are introduced to the importance of higher education. Most importantly, students are in a secure environment, involved in safe activities, and engaged in physical fitness.”

The program may also serve as a link to a future career in a growing industry. Through 2018, jobs for detectives and criminal investigators are expected to increase by 17 percent, or 18,700 positions, according to the U. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Three instructors with extensive careers in law enforcement will lead camp activities. They are Carlton Fuller, a forensic evidence supervisor with the Riverside Police Department Crime Lab and a credentialed instructor in forensic science; David Miranda, a court qualified fingerprint comparison expert and a forensic specialist with the Field ID Unit of the U.S. Army Crime Lab; and Charles Garcia, a crime scene investigator with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.

The instructors possess many years' experience and training in their respective fields. Fuller's background includes training with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and California Department of Justice. He has taught CSI techniques at universities and colleges and is a court certified expert in many areas including evidence collection, blood stain pattern analysis and crime scene documentation.

Miranda is retired from a career with the Pasadena Police Department Crime Lab as a crime scene investigator. His current activities include providing court testimony, crime lab processing of evidence for fingerprints, and working with the detective section of the Army crime lab during follow up investigations.

Garcia initiated his career with the U.S. Marines as a military police officer. While enlisted he trained with the U.S. Naval Investigative Services, Counterintelligence Units, and FBI. He has investigated many types of crime scenes and served as a Lead Crime Scene Investigator for homicides. Garcia testifies in criminal trials as an expert witness and provides training to law enforcement personnel and college students.

PR Contact: Larry Becker

Executive Director of University Relations

La Sierra University

Riverside, California

951.785.2460 (voice)