Mock Crime Scenes
2022 Murder Mystery at UT Tyler
In Spring 2022, Drs. Bailey and Wooldridge hosted the first Murder Mystery at UT Tyler event. This event included 190 community members who helped solve a multiple homicide whodunit by searching the crime scene for evidence, interviewing suspects, and analyzing evidence at a crime laboratory. Forensic Science and Criminal Justice students helped make this event a success, acting as crime suspects and running activity booths so participants could learn about the realities of forensic science.
We were fortunate to have so much help from local agencies and businesses for this event. American Homes donated a 2/2 manufactured home for this event, and SouthSide Furniture provided interior furnishings. Our activity booth area had representatives from UT Tyler PD, Tyler PD, Discovery Science Place, Smith County Veteran’s Court, Smith County Probation, and the Drug Enforcement Agency’s Tyler office. Local businesses Evans Air Conditioning, Roost Deli, Times Square Grand Slam, and Dangling Divas donated drawing prizes that our participants could enter using their completed arrest warrants.
2021 Crime Scene House Event
In Spring 2021, the Mock Crime Scene assignment became a full day event with the help of several generous community partners. Pratt Homes donated a tiny home that became the scene of a multiple homicide. UT Tyler staff volunteered to be live victims, and emergency responders from Christus Mother Frances, Kilgore PD, and UT Tyler Police Department helped bring the simulation alive.