Body found at PHS: Forensic students practice investigative skills at a mock crime scene

eSomethin Staff

Aliyah Chambers (photo credit: Tim Kitson)

Students in Julie Zmudzinki’s Forensics class have been working diligently to piece together evidence from a mock crime scene set on the front lawn of PHS.

Students each have a role to play, whether taping off the area, gathering evidence, or making hypotheses to solve the crime.

Aliyah Chambers, playing a lead investigator, held a press conference where eSomethin reporters were able to ask questions.

“We have identified the person as a female minor, but we can’t jump to any conclusions about what happened right now,” Chambers said.

Another student, Logan Burchard, had the role of preventing interference from the press, represented by eSomethin reporters, saying, “Please stay in the designated press area.”

Perrysburg Forensic Student Landon Yates investigates evidence during a mock crime scene on September 5, 2025. Lead investigator Aliyah Chambers said investigators “grid searched” to find clues. (Photo credit: eSomethin staff)

The Forensics students were able to get an idea of what a real crime scene might look like, including a fake dead body, as well as other evidence and students acting as witnesses with prepared written statements. They learned techniques like “grid searching” and evidence preservation.

Michael Duvall, one of the student investigators, described grid searching as “scanning back and forth up and down the crime scene I was mowing the lawn” to take in all evidence.

After the investigators finished the crime scene, their next steps would contacting family related to the mock victim.

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