Forensics Class at PAHS

Students in Ms. Paige Zinzella’s Forensic Science class at Punxsutawney Area High School recently got a hands-on lesson with fingerprinting.  Joining the class was Punxsutawney Area High School’s School Resource Officer, Sean Compton.

Compton, before joining the Punxsutawney Borough Police Department and working as a school resource officer in 2023, served 25 years with the Pennsylvania State Police.  During his last 10 years, he worked in the Pennsylvania State Police’s Forensic Services Unit.

For the lesson, students were tasked with lifting and developing fingerprints off the school’s 15 passenger van.  Officer Compton shared with students the varying techniques and considerations when looking for fingerprints, and the extensive documentation that goes into processing a crime scene.  

Pictured: Abbigail Zampini and Brielle Brooks lifting fingerprints with magnetic powder.

“When I was in the state police, I used to travel to schools and universities all the time to do programs like this.  I love working with the kids, and I’m thankful to be able to collaborate and work with Ms. Zinzella’s forensics class when I’m here,” said Compton.

Zinzella, an alumnus of Punxsutawney Area High School, has been with PAHS for just over 10 years now.  She obtained her Bachelor of Science from the University of Delaware and then moved to Boston, Massachusetts where she obtained her Masters in Education from the University of Massachusetts.  It was in the Boston Public School System that she first started teaching forensic courses.

Pictured: Abbigail Zampini works to lift a print as Officer Compton and Ms. Zinzella guide her through the process.

“I love the concept of forensic science and the draw it has on students.  It’s such an engaging way to teach science and garner an interest among the kids,” said Zinzella.

Punxsutawney offers four different sections of Forensics, averaging about 20 students per class.

Additional photos submitted by Ms. Zinzella: