CSI Summer Camp

CSI Summer Camp

Stockton CSI Summer Camp

NOW IN OUR 17TH YEAR!  

Are you a high school student who enjoys television programs like CSI, Criminal Minds, NCIS, Profiler, The System, Law & Order, The First 48, and 48 Hours Mystery? Do you want to help solve a murder? Do you want to know what really happens behind the scenes of a murder investigation and a high-stakes murder trial? Do you want to know what life is like behind bars? Do you want to meet the people who work in criminal justice, law enforcement, forensic medicine, and forensic psychology?

Stockton University invites you to be part of Stockton CSI, a summer camp for high school students who want hands-on experience with a criminal investigation and trial.

Now in its 17th successful year, Stockton University’s CSI Summer Camp is a non-profit program where campers work as part of an elite team of investigators and professionals to solve a murder. Campers are involved with every phase of the legal process, from the crime scene investigation to the criminal murder trial. 

Every camp session features a different murder case.  The camp registration fee covers ALL camp costs!

What will happen at Stockton CSI?

Campers will work as part of an elite team of investigators and professionals to help solve a murder. They will be involved with every phase of the legal process, from the crime scene investigation to the criminal murder trial. Every camp session features a different murder case!

Over 5 days, campers will:

  • Collect evidence at a mock murder scene
  • Take fingerprints and collect other evidence samples
  • File evidence requests and analyze the results
  • Interview witnesses and persons of interest
  • Prepare a case for a criminal murder trial
  • Try the case in front of a judge and jury
  • Find out what really happened from a movie filmed before camp started
  • Have extensive discussions of careers in Criminal Justice, Forensic Science, Forensic Psychology, and the Law; and learn what college majors and courses provide preparation for those careers.

Campers will work with:

  • University Professors with Ph.D.s in their disciplines and extensive research experience in their fields
  • State Police
  • Federal Air Marshals
  • A K-9 Unit
  • Corrections Officers
  • Victim Services Providers
  • A Medical Examiner Investigator
  • A former JAG officer and current attorney

Campers will take field trips to locations, which may include:**

  • The Medical Examiner’s Autopsy Room
  • The Federal Air Marshal Training Facility
  • A Juvenile Victim Services Facility
  • The County Jail

**Field trip locations may not accept visitors during all camps.  If this occurs, we will invite representatives from those sites or other law enforcement professionals to Stockton University's campus to conduct workshops with the campers or arrange alternative field trips.  

Evidence

Campers will gain experience with evidence gathering and testing techniques, such as DNA analysis, impressions, forensic odontology (bite marks), ink analysis, fingerprints, chemical analysis, hair and fibers, blood typing, and spatter analysis.

Questioning

Campers will also learn how to question suspects and witnesses. They will use the techniques that investigators do to learn the facts in a case, know when people are telling the truth or lying, and figure out when people’s memories may be distorted.

Courtroom

Finally, campers will learn how to prepare a case for trial. They will learn: (a) jury selection techniques to help pick jurors to hear their case, (b) strategies for presenting their cases and make arguments in a camp courtroom, and (c) what life is like in jail for those awaiting trial and life in prison for those who are convicted.

At Stockton CSI, the individual is our top priority. We go beyond broadening academic horizons and increasing self-confidence. Each student is given focused and positive direction both in and out of the classroom. Stockton College is committed to development through learning — the joy of individual discovery among students and their camp mentors.

Stockton CSI is the only residential summer camp of its kind in the area. Our highly-trained staff, consisting of Stockton faculty with doctoral degrees and graduate students, is outgoing, intelligent and energetic. From the classroom to the dorm room, they serve as exceptional role models, guides, and mentors.

Our program is unique in many ways. We are able to connect young people with world class experts and inform them of potential career choices with the police, FBI, corrections, and in fields like criminal justice, forensic psychology, and the law. Our program combines learning experiences with hands-on activities and course-specific off-campus field trips, like fascinating excursions to the county jail, medical examiner’s office, and the Federal Air Marshal training facility.

The all-inclusive price of $929 paid by April 30 and $969 after that includes all meals, room and board, classes taught by experts, hands-on investigative and trial experience, and field trips.

Camp Directors

Dr. Joshua Duntley

Dr. Duntley joined the faculty of Criminal Justice at Stockton University in 2006 and co-founded the Stockton CSI summer camp with Dr. Christine Tartaro in the summer of 2007. His research explores the psychologies of homicide, stalking, and victimization. Dr. Duntley teaches courses in forensic psychology and quantitative research. He has co-authored 3 books and has numerous professional publications.

 

Dr. Christine Tartaro

Dr. Tartaro joined the faculty at Stockton in 2000 and co-founded Stockton CSI camp with Dr. Duntley in 2007. Her research interests include prisons and jails, mental illness and the criminal justice system, suicide in correctional facilities, and criminal justice policy. She has authored two books and published dozens of articles. Prior to joining Stockton, Dr. Tartaro worked as a researcher for the NJ Department of Corrections. She currently does expert witness work in the area of prison and jail suicide.

Parents are encouraged to visit exciting Atlantic City or any of the other beautiful Jersey Shore resort communities while their children attend the camp.

Be part of an unforgettable adventure this summer!

REGISTER NOW

2024 CAMPS
CAMP 1:  June 23-27
CAMP 2:  July 7-11 
CAMP 3 : July 14-18
CAMP 4 : July 21-25


Summer camp COVID Guidlines currently include:
  • Wearing masks in some locations. 

Stockton CSI campers have joined us from locations that span North America. We have hosted campers from all the places pinned on this map.

CSI Campers Map