From the classroom
to the crime scene

New forensic science program offers a dose of reality

"Columbia College is giving students an opportunity to take classes you just can't get everywhere." — Michael Himmel, instructor Evening Campus, Columbia, Mo.

"I can sit here in my nice little world of New Bloomfield writing a parking ticket and then get a call on my pager that I'm needed to investigate a homicide in Mexico (Mo.)," he said.

As a volunteer for the Mid-Missouri Major Case Squad, Himmel investigates an average of 10 to 15 homicides each year. He is a trained evidence reconstructionist with special certification in blood spatter, which allows him to interpret such details as the impact and physical states of blood stains in a crime scene. When working a homicide investigation, Himmel can be found documenting the layout of the crime scene, reporting the condition of a deceased body, forensically removing objects from a body, recording bruises and collecting evidence such as hair samples and body fluids.

Himmel's work on the first DNA case in the state of Missouri was featured on the Discovery Channel.

When asked about his ability to perform work that has been as disturbing as participating in an autopsy of a murdered woman and her unborn child, his answer is simple. He, like many others in the law enforcement field, understands that properly working a crime scene can mean the difference between an unsolved murder and a case closed. Since 1986, Himmel has shared that knowledge with students at Columbia College.

"When you see a small child that's been beaten to death, for example, that should bother you. But you can't get emotionally attached," Himmel said. "The first thing I tell my students is that you have to find the clues that will bring clues. The scene of the crime will bring you the information if you learn how to look at it and collect it. You are the last person in the living world that can communicate with that person - you are their last link. If we don't do that properly, we can't find the killer."

Columbia College has established an academic program that provides students with the tools to become better communicators on behalf of the deceased. For the past two years, the college has offered students in Columbia and across the country the ability to become part law enforcement officer and part scientist through the Bachelor of Science in Forensic Science. More than 60 students were enrolled in the program last spring. The program is the only one of its type in mid-Missouri and one of only a few across the country.

Not a Hollywood job

"Forensic science is the new wave for justice in the 21st century." — Barry Langford, chair Criminal Justice Administration and Social Work Department "Forensic science allows you to understand how science is applied from the field to the lab to the courtroom." — Susan Gater, forensic science major, Columbia, Mo.

"Eighty to eighty-five percent of police work is boring, but on television, police work is far from dull. High-profile cases are rare, and we need to be clear to students on this," he said.

Ann Cross of Boonville, Mo., plans to pursue law when she completes her forensic science degree. She spent the summer as an intern for the Cooper County Sheriff's Department. "I'm not going to lie and say that television had nothing to do with my choice to pursue this degree, however, after completing many forensic science classes, you learn that television is different than reality," she said. "I've grown to love the science part of forensic science. It's very hands-on and a lot like putting together the pieces of a puzzle."

Cold hard facts

Himmel believes hands-on work such as having his students study actual unsolved homicides, watching and recording blood spatter, witnessing an autopsy and participating in mock scenarios is the best way to teach and learn. "I teach my students how to do things like lift fingerprints because it's training I never had until I got to the police academy," he said.

The course Cold Case Homicide, established by Lyman and Himmel in 2001, allows students to study actual unsolved homicide cases. Students must either be a forensic science or criminal justice major to enroll in the course. Heavy reading is involved - as much as 300-page case files dating back to the 70s. Some of the original detectives who worked the cases make classroom appearances to talk about details they recall and actions they would do differently if they could go back in time.

Himmel said the opportunity to bring closure to an actual unsolved murder does exist inthis course. The class works closely with a law enforcement liaison to share information and findings. "Columbia College is giving students an opportunity to take classes you just can't get everywhere," he said. "We're going to produce a better prepared student for the real world of police work."

Mapping out a plan

Susan Gater of Columbia had always been interested in science but could not get around to completing her college degree. After running a family business for several years, she enrolled at Columbia College last year and is pursuing a dual degree in biology and forensic science. "I think that's what I was missing before - learning how to apply biology. I'm now learning the hard science in one class, and the other class is teaching me how all those things are applied," she said. "Forensic science allows you to understand how science is applied from the field to the lab to the courtroom."

Ashley Gaint of Jefferson City is looking forward to assisting the Missouri Highway Patrol's narcotics division this fall with background checks and police reports. She transferred to Columbia College from MU after hearing about the new forensic science degree program. "I think Columbia College is preparing me well. I've taken tours of crime labs and when I hear about the DNA process, I understand it very well - I think that's a huge deal," Gaint said.

By combining science with crime, Columbia College students are being equipped with the knowledge, skills and training to make a difference and to change lives in ways unimaginable in as recent as 20 years ago. "The fact that Columbia College offers this program shows that it is on the cutting edge of the type of education students need to be successful in the real world," Himmel said.

by Michelle Gleba, associate director, public relations and marketing