The Simpson County 4-H Agent partnered with the Simpson County Schools Community Education Director to host a Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) Camp for 4th-6th grades during Spring Break. Eighteen youth participated in the two day camp that involved six community partners including the Simpson County Jail, Simpson County Sheriff's Department, Franklin Police Department, Simpson County Coroner's Office, Circuit Court Clerk, and Circuit Court Judge.  Camp activities included a police detective demonstrating how fingerprinting is used to solve crimes, then each student got to lift their own print off a glass door.  The county's K9 officer brought his dog to camp and demonstrated how together he & the dog work a crime scene together by having evidence hidden & the dog finding it.  Deputies brought several items from the jail including the only clothes & shoes inmates are allowed to wear, and the steel chair inmates are placed in when they get unruly.  When 4th-6th graders find out inmates are not allowed to have a cell phones in jail they are instantly deterred from a life of crime!  

CSI Camp concluded with a tour of the Simpson County Justice Center by the Circuit Court Clerk. Circuit Clerk Judge Crocker sat the students in the juror's chairs and walked them through a real trial from many years ago, including bringing evidence from the crime scene out for the students to see. The students learned a Circuit Court Clerk is the only person with a key & access to the evidence room. 

Eighteen students spent their Spring Break getting a first-hand look at our judicial system from beginning to end.  100% of the students reported, "The Justice Center tour and learning how to fingerprint were their favorite activities."  All students also stated CSI camp was, "fun, awesome, great, or amazing & they are looking forward to the next one," and please "don't change a thing."  CSI Camp was a new program that followed a CSI themed measuring lab every 4th & 5th grader participated in with the 4-H Agent in March in their classrooms.  6th graders that participated will go through a 7th grade STOP (Students Targeting Outside Pressures) program with the 4-H Agent later this year and plans are already underway for another CSI camp during Fall Break.