Young Private Eyes Investigate ‘Crime Scene’ At Library

By Larissa Lytwyn

Several weeks ago, C.H. Booth Library Youth Council member Maria Piscitelli had an idea for a fun summertime activity for Newtown youth — crime solving.

“I’ve always loved detective work, solving mysteries, things like that,” said Maria.

“When Maria suggested the idea to the other Youth Council members, everyone was really excited,” remembers Youth Librarian Margaret Brown. “They said, ‘Yeah, that’s a really cool idea!’”

The warmest day of the year thus far, August 3, marked the debut of Forensics: Investigate a Crime Scene, led by Newtown Police Officer Richard Robinson and Youth Officer Dana Schubert, on the shimmering blacktop of the C.H. Booth Library parking lot.

The activity has been one of the highest attended ones of the season, much to Ms Brown’s pleasure.

“I’m really happy with the turn out — 19 people signed up — it’s been great!” she said.

The group of students ages 10 and up first gathered under the generous shade of an oak tree at the library’s side entrance.

Officer Schubert discussed the importance of identifying and storing prospective evidence.

“Everything can be important,” he said, “You really don’t know what is relevant until the lab results return, so, until that happens, you have to treat every object, every mark, with careful attention.”

Officer Robinson echoed his colleague’s sentiments, adding, “What kinds of things can be [crime scene] evidence?”

Answers were dramatic: blood, hair, weapons, and other sinister items.

But Officers Robinson and Schubert were careful to note that the most unlikely object, a comb, for example, or a slip of paper, or piece of clothing — could be equally incriminating.

With that, the group was divided into four clusters; one group member was designated the recorder of information and sketcher while the others were deemed “investigative technicians.”

The “crime” was an assault that had left the victim in the hospital. A witness had spotted the likely perpetrator fleeing the scene, shirtless.

The parking lot was divided into four sections with yellow police tape; each group examined several pieces of “evidence” within each section.

Evidence included a wallet, a bunched up torn and bloodied T-shirt, a piece of paper secured with a small chunk of gravel, a crowbarlike possible “weapon,” and tell-tale tire marks.

Officer Robinson explained how if tire marks are made in mud, sand, or snow, cast imprints could be made of them.

If they are on asphalt, they can be photographed, or, if considered a crucial piece of evidence, the piece of asphalt could actually be removed.

The police officers also explained different methods of storage, using plastic or paper bags “just like in the supermarket,” said Officer Robinson.

The bags are specially marked for labeling.

Certain materials, like clothing, should not be placed in plastic because the reflecting light can damage potential evidence on the cloth itself.

Blood samples are collected through a cotton swab and distilled water.

“Very basic,” noted Officer Robinson. “Sometimes the old methods still work best!”

Kathryn and Dillon Kelleher, sister and brother, said they enjoyed working the “crime scene.”

“I learned how important it is to not touch evidence,” said Kathryn.

Every time an investigator leaves and reenters a crime scene, there is an automatic “transfer of evidence,” according to Officer Schubert, which could contaminate criminal evidence.

When handling evidence, gloves are worn to avoid leaving fingerprints.

“Never make any assumptions,” said Officer Robinson. “It’s key to remember that.”

Lab results, unless the case is specially prioritized, can take up to six months to return.

“Investigating these scenes can be very time consuming, very detailed, but also very interesting,” said Officer Schubert. “It’s all about being very careful and very thorough. It’s important for police to make sure that they treat a crime scene with the utmost care, especially when they are later testifying in a case. You can’t make mistakes.”