Scott students learn real-life CSI far different from TV

Detective John Godlewski is not a fan of "CSI."

A Pittsburgh police detective, he knows about the precision and time needed to secure a crime scene, dust for fingerprints and meticulously package evidence such as bullet casings.

Many homicides won't be solved until months or years pass, and some never are.

That's not exactly exciting fodder for a hit television show.

"They have to make everything look good," he said. "It's not all wrapped in a bow in a one-hour time slot."

Godlewski helped teach eighth-grade students about the reality of a working crime scene recently at S.S. Simon and Jude School in Scott.

In a classroom that was laid out as the scene of a homicide, a life-sized dummy lay on the floor with a pistol at its side.

Students learned how to secure the scene by setting up police tape, to examine for fingerprints, take photos and interview witnesses.

The exercise helped to prepare students in Karen Scully's language arts class for writing a legal scenario that will serve as a basis for a mock trial in an Allegheny County Common Pleas courtroom in the spring.

Scully has worked with students on the project for four years.

"We try to do things that will help them make the right judgments in life," she said.

The delicate nature of crime scene work was encapsulated by attorney David Brosky when he entered the classroom.

"Don't leave anything unturned. But don't touch anything," he said.

Brosky, who specializes in personal injury and medical benefits cases, helped students devise balanced crime scenarios so there is room for reasonable doubt when a jury considers what happened.

"I try to teach them the fun side of criminal law, if there is such a thing," he said.

During the mock trial, seventh grade students will serve as jurors.

"We keep them 'sequestered' all year," Brosky said. "They really enjoy it."

Tim Nutter, a Pittsburgh police homicide detective, told students about the importance of search and seizure laws and the Fourth Amendment.

A district attorney looks over any search warrants before they are submitted, to ensure all evidence is collected legally, he said.

"We're held to such a high standard," Nutter said.

Fingerprints remain one of the most important pieces of evidence in any investigation.

"A fingerprint is just as good as DNA," he said.

Nutter said cell phones can offer important clues; some contain GPS technology that could track someone.

"Your whole life's on your cell phone," Nutter said.