Crime scene procedures focus of library lecture BY TOYNETT HALL Staff Writer ERIC SUCAR staff Retired police detective Robert Ferguson teaches a group of youngsters about crime scene investigation techniques during a program at the Howell library. HOWELL - There was a dead body in the middle of a room filled with children. Instead of running away, these young people examined the corpse for evidence. The future crime detectives were getting some instruction in crime scene investigation from Robert Ferguson, a former detective and current adjunct professor at Brookdale Com-munity College, Lincroft, and Georgian Court University, Lakewood. Ferguson was invited by library youth coordinator Veronica Stevens to conduct a crime scene investigation program that featured investigative techniques. Ferguson said he worked with the state police for 30 years and retired as a captain. He spent seven years in the fingerprint and crime unit. He worked in the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office for more than 14 years and now teaches criminal justice at local colleges and universities. According to Ferguson, his primary goal was to debunk the exaggeration that is sometimes found in popular television shows such as "CSI Miami." "I hope that these students can look at crime scene television shows with new eyes," Ferguson said. The 90-minute presentation was a two-part series that featured hands-on activities such as a mock crime scene, balloon and ink impression, dusting for fingerprints using magnetic latent powder on a porous surface, and super glue processing. Subika Mohammad, 18, works as a student page at the library and was in attendance for the program. Mohammad, who plans to study biology at Monmouth University, West Long Branch, this fall, said she found the program very interesting. Mohammad said she learned a lot of interesting facts while listening in and found the subject matter to be closely related to what she plans to pursue. Fellow student page Kaazia Ali, 18, who plans to study biochemistry at Georgian Court University, agreed and said she found the topic interesting as well. "It was a good hands-on activity that helps the students to learn about crime," Ali said. Alison Bleich, 14, praised the library for its variety of programs. She said, "The summer programs are good. They offer a different variety of activities that appeal to all different kinds of kids. It's a good way to get them involved."