GRANADA HILLS : Crime Mystery Clues Youths In to Police Work

There is no rush to judgment at El Oro Way Elementary School in Granada Hills.

For weeks, the student detectives have been carefully scrutinizing every bit of evidence, analyzing alibis and motives, and returning to the crime scene. But they are still not ready to charge anyone.

No, this is not the O. J. case. This is “The Case of the Missing Millionaire,” part of the school’s monthlong Mystery Festival.

Students in the second through fifth grades have been trying to find out what happened to fictional millionaire Felix Navidad, who threw a weekend housewarming party for four close friends.

It appears to be a murder case, but Felix’s body was stolen from the morgue before an autopsy could be performed. The youngsters sift through fingerprints, DNA, handwriting and other clues to unlock the mystery. They put statements from suspects and witnesses on a clue board.

The case model, developed by UC Berkeley, teaches students how to compile and evaluate scientific evidence.

But, perhaps equally important, students develop critical thinking skills.

“The first thing they want to do is rush to judgment,” says teacher Vicki Woehrle. “That’s such a natural instinct for kids. Here, they question everything they see, looking at all the clues before making important decisions.”

In a few days, each class will present their evidence and decide on a suspect. Two fifth-grade classes will state their case in a mock trial later this month at Monroe High School in North Hills.

No matter the outcome, however, Josh Anker, 11, has already learned a lot about police work. He may need to remember it. Josh wants to be a lawyer.

“I’ve learned what real detectives do,” he said, “that if you mess up, there’s no turning back. If you smudge off a fingerprint, that could be all the evidence you have.”

Sandra Galindo, 10, has also received a valuable lesson.

“I’ve learned how to be more patient in finding things out,” she said.

Students in kindergarten and first grade, meanwhile, have had their own mystery to solve--”Who Stole Mr. Bear?” from the school clubhouse.

They haven’t charged anyone yet, either.

Stay tuned.