About the Course
How can an abandoned car, devoid of license plates, help detectives solve a jewel heist? How can a single strand of hair keep a man from going to jail? In this course, you will uncover the answers to these types of questions while learning the science behind forensic investigation. After reviewing the scientific skills of observation and deduction, you'll learn techniques forensic scientists use to analyze hair, fibers, fingerprints, impressions, and documents while processing a crime scene. You and your classmates will explore blood-typing and spatter patterns, toxicology, and DNA analysis. Through the study of notorious cases, such as the Lindbergh baby kidnapping and the assassination of John F. Kennedy, you will become familiar with the history of forensic science and advances in the field. And in mock investigations, you'll use your newly acquired analytical techniques to uncover clues, examine evidence, draw conclusions, and crack cases. Note: Instructors gear their treatment of the material toward the age of students in the class, but some violent crimes are discussed.
Typical Class Size: 14-16
Learning Objectives
- Organize crime scene procedures and skills routinely used to unveil, assemble, and process evidence
- Defend different types of physical evidence (hair, fibers, fingerprints, blood, DNA, etc.) while processing a crime scene
- Illustrate how to collect, enhance, identify, and analyze techniques that form patterns and impressions to gather for evidence
- Debate the drawbacks of forensic science skills explaining what it does and doesn’t prove
- Produce a forensics report that draws from data-supported conclusions based on examining the evidence
- Engage in a mock trial to test analytical techniques by uncovering clues and examining evidence in order to draw conclusions and crack cases
- Propose forensic skills, principles, and technology to solve real-world cases
About Advanced Enrichment courses
These courses offer above-grade-level material that is presented in a novel context, explored with other advanced learners, and guided by a CTY educator to help prepare students for higher-order thinking and college-style academic challenges. Students work individually and may finish the course early if they complete all requirements before the course end date.
Requirements
CTY courses have grade-level requirements and most require minimum test scores. Some courses may also have prerequisites.
Identification DetailsDates and Tuition
In Person
Gilman School
Baltimore, MD
Day Site
You will be asked to join or sign in first.
Register by: June 21, 2026
Full Waitlist Available
Time Commitment:
This course has a lab fee of $187.
Course Materials
Students should bring basic school supplies like pens, notebooks, and folders to their summer program. You will be notified of any additional items needed before the course begins. All other materials will be provided by CTY.
Sample Reading
These titles have been featured in past sessions of the course and may be included this summer. CTY provides students with all texts; no purchase is required.
Solve This! Forensics: Super Science and Curious Capers for the Daring Detective in You, by Kate Messner
Speyer School
New York, NY
Day Site
You will be asked to join or sign in first.
Register by: June 21, 2026
Full Waitlist Available
Time Commitment:
This course has a lab fee of $187.
Course Materials
Students should bring basic school supplies like pens, notebooks, and folders to their summer program. You will be notified of any additional items needed before the course begins. All other materials will be provided by CTY.
Sample Reading
These titles have been featured in past sessions of the course and may be included this summer. CTY provides students with all texts; no purchase is required.
Solve This! Forensics: Super Science and Curious Capers for the Daring Detective in You, by Kate Messner
You will be asked to join or sign in first.
Register by: June 8, 2026
Full Waitlist Available
Time Commitment:
This course has a lab fee of $187.
Course Materials
Students should bring basic school supplies like pens, notebooks, and folders to their summer program. You will be notified of any additional items needed before the course begins. All other materials will be provided by CTY.
Sample Reading
These titles have been featured in past sessions of the course and may be included this summer. CTY provides students with all texts; no purchase is required.
Solve This! Forensics: Super Science and Curious Capers for the Daring Detective in You, by Kate Messner
Ursinus College
Collegeville, PA
Residential Site
You will be asked to join or sign in first.
Register by: June 21, 2026
Full Waitlist Available
Time Commitment:
This course has a lab fee of $187.
Course Materials
Students should bring basic school supplies like pens, notebooks, and folders to their summer program. You will be notified of any additional items needed before the course begins. All other materials will be provided by CTY.
Sample Reading
These titles have been featured in past sessions of the course and may be included this summer. CTY provides students with all texts; no purchase is required.
Solve This! Forensics: Super Science and Curious Capers for the Daring Detective in You, by Kate Messner
Loyola Marymount University
Los Angeles, CA
Residential Site
You will be asked to join or sign in first.
Register by: June 21, 2026
Full Waitlist Available
Time Commitment:
This course has a lab fee of $187.
Course Materials
Students should bring basic school supplies like pens, notebooks, and folders to their summer program. You will be notified of any additional items needed before the course begins. All other materials will be provided by CTY.
Sample Reading
These titles have been featured in past sessions of the course and may be included this summer. CTY provides students with all texts; no purchase is required.
Solve This! Forensics: Super Science and Curious Capers for the Daring Detective in You, by Kate Messner
You will be asked to join or sign in first.
Register by: June 8, 2026
Full Waitlist Available
Time Commitment:
This course has a lab fee of $187.
Course Materials
Students should bring basic school supplies like pens, notebooks, and folders to their summer program. You will be notified of any additional items needed before the course begins. All other materials will be provided by CTY.
Sample Reading
These titles have been featured in past sessions of the course and may be included this summer. CTY provides students with all texts; no purchase is required.
Solve This! Forensics: Super Science and Curious Capers for the Daring Detective in You, by Kate Messner
Saint Andrew's School
Boca Raton, FL
Day Site
You will be asked to join or sign in first.
Register by: June 21, 2026
Time Commitment:
This course has a lab fee of $187.
Course Materials
Students should bring basic school supplies like pens, notebooks, and folders to their summer program. You will be notified of any additional items needed before the course begins. All other materials will be provided by CTY.
Sample Reading
These titles have been featured in past sessions of the course and may be included this summer. CTY provides students with all texts; no purchase is required.
Solve This! Forensics: Super Science and Curious Capers for the Daring Detective in You, by Kate Messner
The Woods Academy
Bethesda, MD
Day Site
You will be asked to join or sign in first.
Register by: June 21, 2026
Time Commitment:
This course has a lab fee of $187.
Course Materials
Students should bring basic school supplies like pens, notebooks, and folders to their summer program. You will be notified of any additional items needed before the course begins. All other materials will be provided by CTY.
Sample Reading
These titles have been featured in past sessions of the course and may be included this summer. CTY provides students with all texts; no purchase is required.
Solve This! Forensics: Super Science and Curious Capers for the Daring Detective in You, by Kate Messner
Roger Williams University
Bristol, RI
Residential Site
You will be asked to join or sign in first.
Register by: June 8, 2026
Time Commitment:
This course has a lab fee of $187.
Course Materials
Students should bring basic school supplies like pens, notebooks, and folders to their summer program. You will be notified of any additional items needed before the course begins. All other materials will be provided by CTY.
Sample Reading
These titles have been featured in past sessions of the course and may be included this summer. CTY provides students with all texts; no purchase is required.
Solve This! Forensics: Super Science and Curious Capers for the Daring Detective in You, by Kate Messner
Registration Fee and Financial Aid
Tuition and fees will be waived or reduced for students who qualify for financial aid.
Learn more about Financial Aid