Teams of students from all nine school districts gathered at the War Memorial in Fulton to complete four tasks related to the topic, which is the use of scientific evidence for a criminal case that is derived from studying decomposed remains of a victim.
Each section of the competition was broken into separate time-sensitive tasks, which added to the complexity of this unique contest.
The first task used the power of observation and memory retention, with teams studying a crime scene for 20 seconds and then awarded points for each of the 25 items members could recall from the scene.
The second task, a four-part test, involved construction, using modeling clay, of four body parts: ear, foot, hand and rib cage. Each body part carried a 30-minute time limit.
A series of five quizzes on bones and identification of bone fragments made up the third task, and finally a persuasive written hypothesis based on debris found at the crime scene was the fourth task. The persuasive argument needed to include the following elements: motive, description of the victim, where, when, and how the crime happened, including the weapon used and who did it.
First place was awarded to the team from G. Ray Bodley High in Fulton, followed by Pulaski and J.C. Birdlebough in Phoenix tied for second. Third went to Hannibal.
Four competitions are held throughout the school year with the next competition scheduled for this month.