A one-of-a-kind citizens academy in northeast Ohio is showing us what forensic science actually looks like.
And it’s changing the way people think about life, death and the people who investigate both.Courses include forensic pathology, trace evidence, fingerprinting and observing an autopsy. Participants also take part in mock death investigation scenes.
Christopher Harris, external affairs manager at the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s Office, created the academy. “I really wanted something that could really educate the public, but also we could have a little fun with learning as well,” Harris said. Harris said the program addresses a gap between television portrayals of death investigations and real-world practice. “A lot of our participants are really appreciative to find out what truly goes on during an autopsy, what truly happens during a death investigation, and things don’t come together in just 45 minutes plus commercials,” Harris said.Cassandra Moore, executive assistant to the mayor of Cleveland, and her husband Derrick Moore, a retired operational manager for MetroHealth, participated in the citizens academy last fall.“We like to watch a lot of crime movies together, see if we can solve them,” Cassandra Moore said.“I think there’s a lot of misconception again, about when they come to the morgue and how are they treated,” Derrick Moore said.“They’re very passionate about what they’re doing, they care about the field they’re working in, and they’re very careful with other people’s loved ones,” she said. Lindsay Koch, a social worker at a local hospital, said the academy answered questions she regularly faces from patients. “I love my job, but the problem is I have no idea what to tell families when they ask about the body of their loved one going to the medical examiner,” Koch said in her audition video for the citizens academy.“I really wasn’t sure what goes on at the medical examiner’s office, I had some preconceived notions I found out weren’t true. And that has helped me to better support families and explain to them realistic next steps of what will happen to their loved one,” Koch said.“They were really respectful. It really changed my perception of what I thought it would be like here for the positive,” she said.The spring academy begins April 2 and meets once a week on Thursday evenings for 10 weeks. Participants must live or work in Cuyahoga County, be at least 21 years old and have no felony convictions. There is a $100 fee if you are selected. They hold two citizens academy sessions each year. Applicants are encouraged to submit a short 30-second pitch video along with their application. You can applyOhio Governor Mike DeWine signs SB 295 into lawBody of man discovered in Akron woods ID’d as former inmate released from prison weeks before he was found
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