Paradise Valley Community College’s Forensic Science program shined on the national stage last month, proudly representing Arizona at the SkillsUSA National Leadership & Skills Conference in Atlanta, GA.Competing for the first time in the Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) category, the PVCC team of three – Zoe Engel, Mac Haenel and Zoe Heinstein – placed in the top 10 nationwide, scoring an impressive 83 percent in what was described as the most competitive year in the competition’s history.
Led by Kristina Brakeman, adjunct faculty and forensic science instructor, the team devoted over 55 hours of rigorous training during the spring 2025 semester, mastering advanced techniques in evidence collection, scene processing, and analytical thinking.Their journey began in February with a strong showing at the Region 2 competition, where they secured a top placement and earned a gold medal at the state level in April, qualifying them for nationals.
Throughout the SkillsUSA competitions—regional, state, and national—the students were required to:
- Complete a Professional Skills Knowledge Test
- Submit a resume
- Take a Crime Scene Investigation Knowledge and Skills Test
- Execute a full Crime Scene Practicum, including searching, sketching, and photographing a scene
- Demonstrate skills in fingerprint processing, biological and trace evidence collection
- Complete crime scene documentation, including narratives and logs
“The SkillsUSA Crime Scene Investigation competition has been an invaluable experience for our students. It gave them a chance to step outside their comfort zones, engage with new peers, and strengthen critical soft skills like teamwork, communication, and adaptability—key traits for a career in forensic science,” said Brakeman, who dedicated countless hours coaching the team.
At the national competition, the CSI event scene—developed and judged by forensic scientists from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation—tasked the team with processing a staged bedroom crime scene. Evidence was concealed in a trash can, dresser drawers, and pillows, testing the students’ thoroughness and attention to detail. Just like professionals in the field, the team was expected to locate, photograph, sketch, and process all evidence with precision.
“I adore learning about forensics and criminal justice,” Haenel emphasized. “This year, SkillsUSA’s motto was ‘Ignite your potential,’ and I truly believe that competing allowed me to ignite my potential and grow as both a leader and as someone within this field. I'm so thankful that I've been allowed to participate in this wonderful competition and program.”
Heinstein added, “PVCC’s AJS program completely changed the direction of my life. What started as a personal interest quickly became a passion, thanks to the outstanding professors and supportive community.
Competing in the SkillsUSA CSI competitions—winning gold at regionals and state, and representing Arizona at nationals—was one of the most unforgettable experiences I’ve had,” she continued. “I met amazing people and had the privilege of working with our incredible advisor, Professor Brakeman, who went above and beyond for our team. It was an absolute honor to represent PVCC, and I hope to do it again.”
SkillsUSA is a national organization that prepares students in career and technical education for workforce success. With more than 19,000 in attendance, this year’s National Leadership & Skills Conference featured 114 competitions and drew more than 6,500 student champions. Arizona brought home 38 medals, with PVCC standing out as one of only two post-secondary schools from the state to compete.
“The fact that this was PVCC’s first time participating in the SkillsUSA CSI competition makes their performance especially significant,” Brakeman noted.“They went head-to-head with veteran teams and still placed in the top 10. That’s a huge achievement and a testament to their commitment and capability.”
As SkillsUSA continues to raise the bar, PVCC's debut in this prestigious competition sets a strong foundation for future teams.Their success not only showcases the strength of the college’s forensic science program but also highlights the importance of hands-on, real-world learning experiences that empower students to rise to the challenge—and excel.
To learn more about PVCC’s Forensic Science program, visit the website or check out this video.