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By Sherry F. Pruitt

Sun staff writer

JONESBORO -- Summer 2006: Pine Bluff High School student attends Crime Scene Investigation Camp at ARKANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY.

Spring 2007: ARKANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY freshman majors in forensic science.

That's the difference one semester made for Justin Boston, 18, who attended the camp last summer and liked the experience so much that he returned to ASU for his undergraduate work. Boston was on a campus tour of ASU when a recruiter told him about the CSI camp.

As a career, the teen-ager said he wants to work with DNA in a laboratory somewhere, maybe Las Vegas.

"I want to be able to use my five senses," Boston said.

The freshman admitted he is a big fan of the original "CSI" television program, and that had an impact on his major.

Boston is one of four ASU undergraduates who attended CSI camp -- a summer workshop for high school students focusing on criminology, biology and forensic science -- and have returned as freshmen. The weeklong camp is in its third year.

Recruiting students to ASU is one of the program's goals for Dr. Gloria Gibson, dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences.

Last year the crime scene was set up near the ASU Lake and Pavilion. A crime victim had specific dirt underneath his fingernails and on the soles of his shoes, among other clues. The student CSIs had to learn how to collect and handle evidence and how to investigate a crime scene.

Gibson said she makes it a point to go to the crime scene because that is the part of the camp she enjoys the most and finds the most fun, but she also sits in on some of the classes.

Dr. Robyn Hannigan said she participates each summer because the experience is "fun."

"It's an opportunity to engage high school kids in real science and to get them excited about science," she said.

Hannigan is associate professor of chemistry and physics, director of the environmental sciences PhD Program, Judd Hill Chairwoman of Environmental Sciences and Associate director of the Forensic Science Program.

Students were divided into groups of about six. The teams are investigators and physical evidence and biological evidence teams, Gibson explained.

At the end of the week, the groups make a presentation on their findings and are questioned about the investigation by a prosecuting attorney, who determines whether they have found enough evidence to make an arrest in the mock case. That is followed by a mock, moot court.

"We feel this is good for students interested in forensic science, criminology or aspects of criminal justice or students who enjoy science," she said. "They are actually working in the ASU Biosciences Institute labs."

But the campers also have fun, too. Last year, they attended a swim party and cookout, Gibson added.

The experience is a combination of hard work and classroom, field and lab learning. And it's also a good opportunity for networking and meeting new friends.

One of the best things about the camp is that faculty members are involved. Faculty take students under their wings and work in their area of expertise. If the campers return as ASU students, they know someone on campus, Gibson noted.

Contributing faculty members include Hannigan; Maureen C. Dolan, research assistant professor of biology; Ellen Lemley, criminology instructor; and Dr. Gregory Russell, director of the Criminology Program.

In addition, ASU students enrolled in the forensic science class are expected to work with the campers.

Organizers have had one planning meeting for this summer's two weeklong sessions and are working on crime scene scenarios, according to Gibson.

This is the first year for the university to offer the forensic science major, and more than 60 students are enrolled in that program, she said.

"It's been very, very successful," Gibson said, adding that some of those forensic science majors will help set up the crime scenes.

Eighteen to 20 students attend each summer session, and this year, the sessions will be held on June 18-22 and June 25-29. Some have already registered for one or both sessions. Gibson said students from Tennessee, Mississippi, Missouri and all parts of Arkansas previously attended.

More information is available at http://chss.astate.edu /summer.htm

sherry@jonesborosun.com