PLATTSBURGH — Growing up in the North Country, Joshua Duntley became interested in psychology and the criminal-justice system.
After graduating from Plattsburgh State and earning his doctorate from University of Texas at Austin, Duntley became an associate professor of psychology and behavioral sciences at Richard Stockton College of New Jersey.
It was there he started brainstorming about how he could share his passion and experiences with young minds from across the country.
Now, just four years later, his dreams are a reality and have earned him national recognition.
With encouragement from the university, Duntley helped create the Stockton CSI Summer Camp for teens, giving those interested a chance to solve crimes and engage in all aspects of the criminal-justice system.
"Ours is the only camp we found that brings students through the whole criminal-justice process," the 1990 Saranac High School alum said recently.
"It's really like a myth-busters camp for the criminal-justice system, and students learned about what really happens (in criminal investigation and cases)."
NATIONAL PLAY
In its fourth year, the five-day sessions this summer not only attracted a number of interested teens but the national media as well, gaining the program pieces in The Wall Street Journal and on "The Today Show."
"We've had just really wonderful results," Duntley said about the camp's three sessions this summer.
"We get a really smart bunch of high-school students, who are motivated to do the work, and they're all just really focused on solving the range of problems that need to be solved."
Students jump into the hands-on process of solving mock crimes, everything from collecting blood evidence to interviewing witnesses and preparing a case for trial.
The last day gives students their chance in a mock trial, following field trips to a county jail and medical examiner's office.
Duntley says it's a great opportunity for students interested in forensics and criminal justice to delve into the field before they approach their college years.
LOCAL INFLUENCE
He credits not only his college with supporting the innovative idea, but his experiences at Plattsburgh State in helping to shape the program.
While attending college in Plattsburgh in the early 1990's, Duntley was active in campus life as a resident assistant, residence hall director and coordinator of new student orientation.
"I learned a lot (there) about how to make a successful summer program."
Now, with national exposure, Duntley hopes the CSI Camp continues to grow each year and attract more students, who typically range in age from 14 to 18.
As he continues to watch youths succeed in the program, he finds the camp just as rewarding himself.
"Just seeing the kids get a better understanding of what the criminal-justice process is like has been great."
E-mail Andrea VanValkenburg at: avanvalkenburg@pressrepublican.com
