As police sirens echo through the streets, fingerprints are dusted and scraps of glass are examined. A real life crime scene comes alive inside of the forensics classroom. The forensics class at Pembroke Pines Charter High School (PPCHS) is anything but an ordinary class; it’s a place where students have access to a hands-on experience of examining evidence and imitating crime scenes, giving the students a realistic and eye-opening glimpse into the world of forensic investigation.

PPCHS’s forensics teacher, Mr. Bolaños, brings three years of experience working in a DNA crime lab before beginning his career as a forensics teacher at a high school. Through his experience, he provides a better understanding of what forensic science is truly about. Forensic science is more than just what meets the eye. Oftentimes, people confuse forensics with criminology. Although they are very much alike, there is a fine line between them that strictly separates the two.

Mr. Bolaños describes forensic science as more hard-core evidence. It uses more of a scientific (biology, physics, and chemistry) approach to solving crime, while criminology deals with the reasoning behind crimes. In the class, students are given the opportunity to grasp all the different branches which fall under the larger umbrella of forensics. Students also learn to overlook the exaggerated Hollywood aspect of forensics, which is often created by movies or shows. Instead, they examine paperwork and become accustomed to the hard work that comes with the forensics field.

Mr. Bolaños notes that “a lot of students come into this class as a ‘filler class,’ but then they get interested in the behind-the-scenes of how crimes are getting solved and how to actually process the things about forensics.”

Mr. Bolaños’s overall goal is to encourage other students to find their passion in what they love, whether that is within forensic science or not. He is dedicated to making his class evolve, shaping it more into than just lectures on forensics, but more importantly, a journey where students will be able to learn through impactful experiences that will remain with them long after taking his class, continuing to shape the person that they will become.

“I’ve had a parent email me, telling me how their student was not even interested in going to college. Towards the end of the year, the parent explained how their child took my class, and then, not only did they sign up to go to college, but they looked into forensic science just because they took my class,” he explains. “

Not only is this the class where students learn about all the branches of forensic science, but students will also learn more about themselves and what truly fascinates them. Mr. Bolaños carries himself as someone who believes in the best version of his students. Through his teachings, he seeks to draw out their potential, hoping to guide them to discover any strengths they might not have even seen within themselves.

“I expect them to be the best version of themselves because that’s my goal as a teacher. Whether it’s as a forensics student, at home as a son or daughter, brother or sister, that’s what’s most important to me.”

PPCHS’s forensics class is more than just a course students can take, it’s an opportunity for students to have an image of how real-world investigations go. With Mr. Bolaños’s guidance, the class becomes a place where students can experience both academic and personal growth. He hopes to inspire students to find their passion and leave with not only valuable knowledge, but also confidence and a sense of purpose for themselves and their future to come.