New course introduces island students to crime scene investigation

A new course introduces Nanaimo District Secondary School students to the science of crime scene investigation.

British Columbia’s Ministry of Education allows school boards to offer courses that match students’ interests, and the Forensics 11 class is one of three new courses approved by the Nanaimo Ladysmith Public Schools board at a meeting on Wednesday, June 26.

Forensics uses evidence collection, analysis and hypothesis formation to reconstruct a crime. The course “examines some of the basic principles and knowledge that govern forensic laboratory processes such as DNA testing, toxicology and materials analysis,” the course description states.

Students will learn about the history of forensic science and how it comes into play after a crime has occurred, the description says. Aspects of the legal system as it relates to evidence, basic crime scene techniques and evidence preservation will be among the topics covered in the four-hour course.

The curriculum also states that the lessons could enable students to pursue a career in the police force.

Jo Cornthwaite, president of the Nanaimo-Ladysmith teachers’ union, said such courses are often teachers’ passion projects.

“The teacher who wants this course obviously has a passion for teaching the material,” Cornthwaite told the News Bulletin. “I think it’s great to offer our students a variety of options in the courses offered. It gives students another opportunity to look at their own career options for the future.”

Two other new courses have been approved. Financial Literacy 12 at Ladysmith Secondary School will teach students aspects of money management, and Indigenous Cultural Connections for grades 10 to 12 celebrates Indigenous students’ connection to land, language and family. Cornthwaite said both are also valuable courses.

“It’s always great to offer our students more Indigenous content and approaches to Indigenous studies… (Financial literacy is) one of those really important life skills, which is the ability to manage personal finances, keep track of spending and be able to manage your money. So I think this course is practically designed to help students become financially literate and be able to apply those skills in life,” Cornthwaite said.

Greg Keller, chairman of the school board, expressed similar views:

“I find that the content of the courses overall is quite interesting and covers a wide range of concepts, including the scientific method, which is one of the ways in which students can engage in thinking and learning,” Keller said.

Eric Cizeron, an NDSS teacher, developed Forensic Science 11. Emily Magyar, district director of Indigenous Learning, Elena Kemp, deputy director of NDSS, and the Mid-Island Métis Nation First Nations, Snuneymuxw, Snaw-Naw-As and Stz’uminus developed Indigenous Cultural Connections, and Tracey Teneycke, a teacher at Ladysmith Secondary School, developed Financial Literacy 12.

Forensic Science 11 will become part of the curriculum in the 2025-26 school year, while Financial Literacy 12 and Indigenous Cultural Connections will be available for the 2024-25 school year.