South Side High School rocked the scene at the CSI Challenge

What high school students would be dedicated enough to go to school at 6:30 a.m.? They could only be members of the South Side High School’s Forensics Club.

On June 6, its 12 members woke up bright and early, anxious to get to Stony Brook University’s annual CSI Challenge. South Side’s Forensics Club has participated in the event for years and was able to win fourth place in the 2010 competition. This year its members were determined to top the previous year’s success.

At the competition the teams receive a scenario and use their forensic knowledge and scientific skills to identify a culprit. This year’s challenge was called “Rhythm and Clues” and the students had to determine who killed Sly Vox, the legendary lead singer and guitarist of the band Vanish. Thirty eight teams from Long Island and New York City were ready to compete. Some went as far as dressing up as characters and musicians from the scenario.

The morning began with a rock concert by Vanish, starting the day with a bang. After the performance, everyone switched focus and went to work, determined to find out who killed Sly Vox. Returning seniors Amanda Coren, Danielle Tinghitella, Kyle Holzgruber, Rachel Shenker, Kelsey McKenna, Brian Schmidt, Megan McGrath and Zach Cohen all played a big part in the investigation. Team captain Amanda Coren was an excellent leader who kept everything organized and running smoothly. Other South Side High School participants were returning sophomores Miriam Ambrosino and Jack Metcalfe, as well as first-time junior participants Mark Hamilton and Lauren Joyce.

For seven straight hours, students had to process a crime scene, identify evidence, properly collect and log evidence and analyze each piece of evidence using their scientific skills. All along, they were closely evaluated by professional forensic scientists. Analyzing evidence involved knowledge and skills in forensic entomology, odontology, anthropology, toxicology and ballistics. Abilites in latent fingerprinting, document analysis, foot casting, hair and fiber analysis were also called into play.

After a full day of collecting evidence, performing labs and analyzing data, the South Side team drew its conclusions from the information. At about 5 p.m., the team presented its findings to a judge. At the conclusion of the presentation, the judge hinted that the team had done an outstanding job but remained reserved. Everyone wondered how South Side would be ranked at the awards presentation. Finally, team members took their seats and waited anxiously for the competition’s results. After a moment, the organizer of the event announced, “The winner of 3rd place is ... South Side High School!” The team was ecstatic! Hard work and careful analysis of information and clues had paid off. This was South Side’s best showing yet in the CSI Challenge, with more to come.