PUPILS have been putting forensic crime investigation under the microscope.

Youngsters have been treated to a behind-the-scenes experience in how crime scene evidence is gathered.

Helen Kemp, area performance officer with the Cleveland Criminal Justice Board, explained: "The children are carrying out a series of investigation activities including, for example, taking fingerprints, identifying shoe prints, chromatography and handwriting analysis, as well as interviewing 'witnesses', building up a case file and eventually sitting as 'magistrates' to try a defendant."

If the pilot, held at North Ormesby Primary School, Middlesbrough, proves to have been a success, it will be rolled out to other schools on Teesside. There could also be a version developed for adults.

Ms Kemp, who has played a key role in developing the school project, said: "The idea of using the interest generated by the CSI television series to get across the message to schoolchildren about how crimes are investigated, from the collecting of evidence to someone appearing in court, was developed in Cambridge and has proved very popular."

Elaine Lumley, chairwoman of the local Criminal Justice Board, said: "We know from the previous work we have done, including the education pack developed for secondary schools, that children really are interested in how the criminal justice system works and, of course, they do see a lot of crime shows on television.

"This project really is hands-on, and a number of different agencies will be involved in ensuring that the children get as realistic an understanding as possible of how investigations are carried out and how what might seem the tiniest piece of evidence can make the crucial difference to solving a crime."