New exhibit to explore forensic entomology CSI: Crime Scene Insects opens June 25 at the NC Museum of Natural Sciences
May 31, 2005
Contact: Jon
Pishney, (919) 733-7450, ext. 304.
RALEIGH -- Learn the secrets of crime-solving
bugs. The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences in downtown
Raleigh offers visitors a rare opportunity to learn more
about the mysterious world of crime scene investigation with
its new exhibit, CSI: Crime Scene Insects. The exhibit
dives into forensic entomology -- the use of insects such
as flies, maggots and beetles to reveal critical details
of a crime scene, a fascinating practice that plays a vital
role in solving a variety of crimes. CSI: Crime Scene
Insects opens June 25 and runs through September 18,
2005.
Inspired by the hit television shows CSI and CSI: Miami, this interactive exhibit explores criminal investigations through lively and hands-on components of forensic entomology. Visitors can observe real crime scene insects -- including live carrion beetles, dermestid (flesh-eating) beetles, blowflies and their maggots -- and even investigate recreated crime scenes to collect evidence and solve the crimes.
Forensic entomology has been valued as an integral part of criminal scene investigation dating as far back as 13th Century China. Flies, beetles, wasps and other insects can provide important clues that help investigators tie suspects and victims to a crime scene, determine the timing of the crime and the role of drugs or toxins in a crime scene. CSI: Crime Scene Insects brings this practice to life, inviting visitors to:
- Investigate recreated crime scenes to collect evidence, analyze it, and draw conclusions about the nature of the crimes.
- Explore insect lifecycles and the five stages of decomposition to learn the role insects play in the natural progression from stage to stage.
- View open morgue drawers containing medical models of cadavers: one showing the insects that reside in a decomposing body shortly after death, and one showing a body in a more advanced state of decomposition.
The Museum adds its own Investigate Lab to the exhibit, where visitors can watch and take part in live demonstrations on forensic insects, ranging from lifecycles to the tools used to collect them as evidence. Lab visitors can use their fledgling forensic skills to solve mock crimes along a natural sciences theme, such as "Perpetrating a Sting," in which you try to deduce which suspect (robberfly, earwig, cranefly and velvet ant) is guilty by observing their body parts and the victim's wound. Other activities include comparing fingerprints with a koala bear, learning to identify animals by their skulls, or dissecting owl pellets to find out popular menu items for these nocturnal hunters.
CSI: Crime Scene Insects meets the National Science Education Standards, and the Museum plans to offer special programming and forums on forensic entomology during the exhibit's run. CSI: Crime Scene Insects is a traveling exhibit developed and constructed by ExhibitQ. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for kids (5-11) and seniors (60+), $2 for school groups. For more information, contact 919-733-7350 ext. 304, or visit www.naturalsciences.org.
The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, in downtown Raleigh, documents and interprets the natural history of the state of North Carolina through exhibits, research, collections, publications, and educational programming. Hours: Mon.-Sat., 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sun., noon to 5 p.m. Admission is free. Visit the Museum on the web at www.naturalsciences.org. The Museum is an agency of the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources, William G. Ross Jr., Secretary.
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