On Thursday March 27, 2025 students from Mr. Portuese’s class has the opportunity to compete in the Plainedge CSI competition “Murder on the Dance Floor.” Students were given a story to read regarding the night of the fictional murder the week of the competition. When students arrive each team had their own individual crime scene set up full of evidence and other clues to uncover.

First, each team bagged physical evidence and photographed the crime scene. Then, throughout the day each team completed a number of experiments like hair analysis, blood typing, footprint casting, and fingerprinting. Each station had judges who were professionals in their fields.

Other than physical evidence, there were other puzzles and clues to uncover like a cross word puzzle of 80s trivia, a casette tape recording from the night of the murder, and a floppy disk with previous arrest records and other clues about the suspect.

Bethpage team member Kate Cusack said, “It was so exciting to solve the crime!”

The Plainedge drama club played the characters from the story set in 1985. The actors actively tried to break into our crime scenes and were in character at all times. The Bethpage was chosen to interrogate the murderer!

The Bethpage Forensics had an impressive 2nd place finish solving the crime! Thank you to Mr. Portuese and the Plainedge Forensics Club for allowing Bethpage to participate in this unique experience!