More than fifty students in advanced chemistry and physics from Early High School traveled to Howard Payne University on Thursday, April 8, for a forensic science workshop.  Led by Dr. Derek Smith, associate professor of physical science, the students engaged in hands-on experiments in various laboratories in and on the grounds around Winebrenner Memorial Hall of Science.

The students were greeted by several university officials during an opening ceremony. Then, they were dispersed to 10 different workstations where they rotated through a variety of techniques employed in forensic investigation.

“We were able to offer the workshop in this multi-disciplinary format because of the involvement of my current and former forensic science students,” said Dr. Smith.  “Without their expertise, gained through conducting these same exercises in class over these last two semesters, this event would not have been possible.”

The students received t-shirts from the Office of Enrollment Services and a lunch sponsored by the Department of Physical Sciences.

“The event was a complete success by every conceivable metric,” Dr. Smith continued. “We hope to have provided favorable exposure to the growing field of forensic science and to the new program that we offer here at HPU.”

Photos by HPU sophomore Amanda Hendrix

Top Photo – Dr. Pamela Bryant (left), chair of the Department of Physical Science and associate professor of chemistry, teaches students from Early High School about forensic analysis of ink.

Bottom Photo: Howard Payne University junior Kinsey Scroggins (far right) instructs Early High School students in the proper way to enhance latent fingerprints.