The brand-new “CSI: Crime Scene Insects” exhibit will make its world premiere at the Science Museum of Minnesota in downtown St. Paul Saturday, Oct. 25. Inspired by the hit TV shows CSI, and CSI: Miami, the exhibit delves into the mysterious world of crime scene investigation, and it specifically explores the role insects play in helping investigators piece together crimes. “There’s been a recent swell of popular interest in forensic science,” says Anne Hornickel, head of Museum Programs at the Science Museum. “CSI: Crime Scene Insects” allows Science Museum of Minnesota visitors to be the first in the world to step inside the mind of a forensic entomologist to discover the secrets bugs can reveal.” With a history dating back to the 13th century, forensic entomology, or the study of insect evidence, has only within the last 30 years been adopted as an integral part of crime scene investigation. Flies, beetles, wasps, and other insects can be key witnesses at a crime scene, and close scrutiny to insect evidence can provide important clues that help investigators tie suspects and victims to a crime scene, determine the timing of the crime, and conclude whether drugs or other toxins were involved. “CSI: Crime Scene Insects” invites Science Museum visitors to trace the history of forensic entomology all the way back to the 1200s, then put themselves in the role of the investigator working to solve mysterious crimes. “Visitors will learn that when it comes to piecing together a crime, the bugs don’t lie,” notes Hornickel. “By carefully studying where bugs are and what they’re doing at the crime scene, forensic entomologists use their scientific expertise to provide invaluable clues to investigators. “CSI: Crime Scene Insects” gives Science Museum visitors the opportunity to play the role of an entomologist and help unlock the secrets of a crime.” Visitors to the exhibit will: o Discover the basics of insect anatomy, then use that knowledge to assemble an insect from a mixed-up collection of buggy body parts in the “Build-a-Bug” interactive area. o Inspect preserved beetles, flies, maggots and other specimens that illustrate the different stages of insect development. o Learn the biological adaptations and behaviors of flies, beetles, wasps, ants and bees, and discover their significance in discovering clues at a crime scene. o See examples of the equipment real forensic entomologists use to collect and analyze evidence from a crime scene. o Use a computer model to experiment with the environmental factors at work in determining the habitats of the most common insects. o Hear the testimony of actual expert witnesses through video footage of real trials in which forensic entomologists took the stand. Because some subject matter is more mature, a translucent curtain separates the “Crime Scene Area” from the rest of the exhibit. The Science Museum suggests parental guidance for this portion of the exhibit. Visitors to the “Crime Scene Area” will be able to: o Explore the five stages of decomposition, learn the role insects play in the natural progression from stage to stage, and discover how important it is for forensic investigators to be knowledgeable about both insect lifecycles and the stages of decomposition in order to successfully use insects to help solve crimes. o Open morgue drawers containing medical models of cadavers: one shows the insects that first take up residence in a decomposing body shortly after death, and another shows a body in a more advanced state of decomposition. o Observe two recreated crime scenes, where visitors can collect the evidence, carefully analyze it, and try to draw conclusions about the nature of the crime. “CSI: Crime Scene Insects” was created by Exhibit Q, an exhibit design and development company in Long Beach, Calif. The exhibit will run from Saturday, Oct. 25 to Monday, Jan. 19, 2004. Following its debut in St. Paul, the exhibit will embark on a tour of science centers and museums around the world. Admission is included in regular exhibit gallery admission ($8 for adults and $6 for kids and seniors). Combination exhibit gallery and Omnitheater admission tickets are also available. Promotional support for “CSI: Crime Scene Insects” is provided by WCCO-TV. For prices, hours, specific directions and ticket reservations, call (651) 221-9444, or visit www.smm.org.
