CSI: Wasilla

July 16, 2006

By MARY AMES

Frontiersman

WASILLA - After four days of learning how to sleuth at the Valley's first CSI camp, 12 middle school students solved the case of a kidnapped pooch.

&#8220As usual, the butler did it,” said Chris Gooch, a teacher at Teeland Middle School.

The camp was put together by Gooch and his wife, Laura. Meeting for four hours each day at the Multi Use Sports Complex last week, the &#8220G-rated” course began with the students learning teamwork, respect and safety, Gooch said.

&#8220Then we went into how to approach a crime scene,” he said.

Gooch put notices in the core middle schools and the newspaper announcing the camp earlier this year. Students from Anchorage and the Valley, including home-schoolers, signed up.

The second day of the course, the students did &#8220hands-on science,” Gooch said, including using five different powders to identify an unknown substance. They studied cheiloscopy, lip print comparison, and teeth impressions.

&#8220There was a recent case in London where the crook took a bite of cheese,” Gooch said. &#8220He either panicked or was

stupid.”

The student-detectives learned paper fiber comparison, handwriting analysis, toxicology analysis, tool markings and blood group analysis, among other things.

On Wednesday, the students learned fingerprinting

techniques and crime scene analysis from the pros: Jason Fieser and Mike Burkmire, Alaska State Trooper investigators, and Michele Czajkowski, a state crime scene technician.

The students learned they have to not contaminate a crime scene, Czajkowski said.

&#8220I think they got it,” she said. &#8220Today showed them it's not easy like on TV. It's a lot of work. These are great kids, really smart.”

Czajkowski drove the official crime-scene van to the MUSC so students could see the tools of her trade.

Each student inked their hands to make palm prints and fingerprints, and they had the option of entering their prints into the Child Find program, Gooch said. Their parents signed permission slips, but the students would make the decision, he said.

At first, the students just looked in awe at the investigators, Laura Gooch said. But they warmed up as the investigators shared their knowledge with the youngsters.

Before they left the class, the students asked questions, and, once again, learned professional detecting is not so much like what they see on television.

While his job could be difficult, it was also fun and a good way to learn how to deal with people, Fieser said.

When asked if he had ever shot anyone with a Taser, Fieser said no.

&#8220Verbal skills are best when dealing with people who don't communicate well,” he said. &#8220When a suspect threatens me, I don't take it personally.”

Burkmire explained there are several investigative teams in the Valley. He investigates major crimes such as homicides, another team investigates crimes against children, Burkmire said.

&#8220Jason and one other guy investigate property crimes,” he said. &#8220Remember when the school buses were vandalized? They solved that.”

When asked what the most common crime was, Fieser told students he investigates at least one burglary a day.

Burkmire echoed Fieser's statements about police officers relying on communication skills when dealing with people.

&#8220We tell the new guys, ‘How would you like to be treated?'” he said. &#8220You talk normal, with respect. That's what it's all about.”

Laura Gooch said the camp was a great success.

&#8220We loved it,” she said. &#8220We had so much fun. Four days was perfect. It gave them really good introductions to get them curious and get them started.”

The camp was such a success, the Gooches plan on holding at least one camp again next summer.

&#8220Some of the students mentioned they would like to come back,” she said. &#8220If they do, we would have to do more.”

Chris and Laura Gooch can be contacted at: matsu

science@gmail.com.

Contact Mary Ames at 352-2284 or mary.ames@

frontiersman.com.