Forensic Science Students to Defrost Cold Case from 1975

Penn State’s forensic science students will have the opportunity to explore evidence in the 1975 case of William Thomas Zeigler as part of Criminalistics - Advanced Analysis and Crime Scene Investigation, a forensic science capstone course. The Penn State Forensic Science program is collaborating with Defrosting Cold Cases and the Zeigler legal team to give students this educational opportunity that grants students access to a real case.

In spring 2011, science students will apply their classroom knowledge to a real case and have access to crime scene photographs, police reports, witness statements, and evidence. The students will be able to explore bloodstain patterns observed in the crime scene photographs to see whether they can apply their knowledge in estimating the position of the shooter. They will also be able to explore the existing DNA reports. From witness statements, they will be able to make time lines and even trace the route people claimed they took by checking old maps and Google maps.

Having access to a real case will give the students of Penn State’s Forensic Science program the unique opportunity to deepen their knowledge and gain hands-on experience. This educational opportunity will also prepare them for their future by giving them the chance to work on a real case. The case study will be their opportunity to see how science has evolved, how conclusions were drawn decades ago, and how crime scenes are examined today.

"This will be a wonderful experience for the students, and will truly reflect what the capstone experience should be in relation to our program," said Mitch Holland, director of the Penn State Forensic Science program.

The Penn State Forensic Science program has accepted this collaboration as an educational exercise for their students where the students’ findings are simply for educational purposes; At no time will any of the findings imply an approval or dismissal of the verdict in the Zeigler case. Penn State University will remain a neutral partner in this collaboration between the Zeigler defense team and Defrosting Cold Cases.

For more information on the Penn State Forensic Science program, visit http://forensics.psu.edu.

For more information on Vidocq, the founder and owner of DefrostingColdCases.com and his involvement with the Penn State Forensic Science program, visit http://www.defrostingcoldcases.com