IU Northwest to host free Forensic Investigations camp for high schoolers

Students will explore crime scene investigations, visit a forensic lab and Coroner’s Office and engage in hands-on forensic science activities

Indiana University Northwest is offering a unique opportunity for high school students to step into the world of forensic science. The campus will host a free Forensic Investigations Summer Camp from June 23–26, open to rising high school juniors and seniors.

Running daily from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., the four-day immersive camp will feature interactive lectures, hands-on laboratory work, field trips and real-world exposure to the many facets of forensic science.

Camp activities will be led by IU Northwest faculty, staff and local professionals, providing students with a comprehensive introduction to the field:

• Day 1: Criminal Investigations: Explore forensic entomology—the use of insects in solving crimes—alongside fingerprinting exercises and biology lab experiments.
• Day 2: Healthcare’s Role in Forensics: Discover the intersection of healthcare andforensic science, including insights into forensic psychology, chemistry lab activities and the critical role of Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANEs).
• Day 3: Field Experiences: Tour the Indiana State Police Forensic Lab and the Lake County Coroner’s Office to see forensic science in action.
• Day 4: Crime Scene Examination: Visit the Gary Police Department to learn about crime scene investigation, then apply your skills in a mock crime scene using virtual reality technology.

Camp eligibility & registration

The camp is open to local students entering 11th or 12th grade in fall 2025. Space is limited to 20 participants on a first-come, first-served basis.

Thanks to the generous support of the Legacy Foundation and IU Affinity Giving, the camp is free of charge for all participants.

To register, visit go.iu.edu/6TOp

Unique: IU Northwest’s forensic science program

A key component of the Forensic Investigators summer camps is to introduce participants to the study and science of forensic sciences, a degree program first offered at IU Northwest in 2023.

IU Northwest’s degree program has three tracks: forensic biology, forensic chemistry and criminalistics, making it the only degree program in Indiana and one of the few criminalistics forensic undergraduate degrees in the Midwest.

“With this degree, IU Northwest is pioneering the focus on criminalistics, joining a small group of universities which specialize in criminalistics, in addition to the more traditional bio-forensics and chemistry-forensics,” said Monica Solinas-Saunders, SPEA Associate Professor.

The IU Northwest Forensic Sciences degree program was developed in partnership with the Indiana State Lab (Indianapolis and Lowell) and designed in accordance with the standards of the Forensic Science Education Programs Accreditation Commission.

If you have additional questions about the summer camp or about the Forensic Science degree program, please contact Maya Theus (219-980-6950) or Carlie Gallardo (219-981-5668).

All Indiana University events/programs, groups, activities, educational, cultural and historical observances are open to all members of the Indiana University community.