Bryan High students eager to take new forensic science course

Bryan High School seniors will soon have that opportunity to learn the scientific approach to crime investigation.

The school board recently approved implementation of a forensic sciences course after students expressed enthusiasm about the prospect of taking it.

The course is the brainchild of wrestling coach and biology teacher Mike Zito, who's been teaching various sciences at the school for 19 years.

For the past several years, Zito has attended a science convention for teachers to swap ideas and learn techniques. It was there that he learned about another teacher with a forensic science class. Zito quickly realized it was a class he'd love to tackle.

"I've been a Law and Order fan. My dad was a doctor and growing up we used to always watch Quincy together," he said. "I've always loved that kind of who done it kind of mysteries."

Zito said he talked to students as well as members of his wrestling team to see if it was a class students would be interested in taking.

"My seniors hate me. They say, 'Why didn't you do this last year?" he said.

As a fourth year science, the course could springboard students interest in law enforcement or investigative sciences as a career.

Students in the class will look at the role of forensics in police work, learn terminology and investigative procedures related to crime scenes, and be taught how to collect fingerprints, interpret blood spatters, conduct bullet analyses, determine how long a body's been dead and other skills.

"I think it's going to be a hit," Zito said. "This has just re-energized me as a teacher."