On Sept. 23, approximately 60 students from St. Francis Prep’s Forensic Criminology classes were able to participate in a Skype session with world-renowned forensic linguist, James Fitzgerald.

Fitzgerald is a retired FBI Agent who profiled cases such as the Unabomber and D.C. Sniper cases. He is also a technical consultant for the CBS show, “Criminal Minds.” Recently, he appeared on the CBS show that analyzed the evidence in the JonBenet Ramsey case. He authored a book called, “Journey to the Center of the Mind.” Part II will be released in January, with Part III to follow.

As a forensic linguist, Fitzgerald looks for patterns in the way people speak and write, which uncover patterns of behavior. According to Charles Jardines, who teaches forensic criminology at the Prep, it’s “reading between the lines.”

When asked how the session went, Jardines, a retired New York Police detective and veteran teacher at the school replied: “It was great! The students were fascinated.” He went on to say that many of the students want to pursue forensic psychology in college. In all, there are well over 200 students taking the course this year.

From Fitzgerald’s perspective, he felt that those students who participated were a wonderful bunch of kids who asked good questions. It is hoped that he can visit the school in person in the spring.