If you like television’s “CSI” series, you should check out Tracy Adult School’s course catalog for the spring semester. The semester started this week, but late registration will be accepted for the next week or so — and there’s plenty of space in many adult-enrichment courses.
One of those courses is a six-week crime scene investigation class that teaches skills used in finding, collecting and processing evidence, according to instructor Larry Hite.
Hite, who has taught at the adult school for a number of years, said the class is a good choice for anyone interested in the field of crime scene analysis.
“There isn’t anything in this area that provides entry-level education for those interested in becoming crime scene technicians,” he said early this week. “This class is a good start.”
Hite’s decision to conduct two six-week sessions over the course of the semester means high school students won’t be able to take the class as an elective. No high school students may lead to fewer numbers for Hite, but he indicated that he looks forward to teaching all adults this semester.
He’s also excited about having new class materials. The CSI course will use an interactive program produced by Duke University that graphically portrays the duties of crime scene investigators. There’s even a video on dead bodies and autopsies that Hite shows to the class to give students an insider’s perspective.
“The school frowns upon me bringing dead bodies to class,” Hite joked, adding that the video runs a close second to the real thing.
But the class, which meets Wednesday nights, isn’t all theory. Hite sets up his own lab exercises in the classroom, teaching students how to lift prints, pour casts for footprint molds and gather evidence using different methods.
“It’s like watching an episode of ‘CSI’ but much more detailed,” Hite said.
Aside from enrichment courses, Tracy Adult School also offers a variety of classes to help high-schoolers meet graduation requirements, teach English to non-native speakers and enable foreign-born residents to obtain citizenship. Tuition fees vary according to class.
The school is at 1902 Corral Hollow Road, near the Institute for Global Commerce
&
Government, but classes are held throughout the city. For an updated list of available courses, visit the school’s Web site.
