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Solve the Crime - Crack the Case

Forensics, pathology, DNA. Originally developed with a grant from The National Science Foundation (NSF) for a tour of U.S. science museums, CSI: The Experience gives visitors the opportunity to play the role of a crime scene investigator, learning scientific principles and real investigative techniques as they try to solve one of three crime scene mysteries.

Two state-of-the-art crime labs will help visitors piece together the evidence. With input from investigators from the television show, along with their real-life forensic science counterparts, guests will formulate a hypothesis, validate their findings based on scientific evidence and try to crack the case.

From DNA and fingerprint analysis to forensic anthropology and toxicology, visitors will be captivated by hands-on science in a multimedia environment with dazzling special effects — direct from the CSI television series. A video introduction by cast members from the TV show welcomes visitors into the exhibit, leads them through the experience, and then evaluates their crime-solving savvy as they exit.

About the exhibition

Briefing Room

None other than Anthony E. Zuiker, the creator of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, greets you and shares what inspired him to create the TV show. Then, real-life forensic scientist Ron Singer briefly explains the science to be found in the exhibit. Finally, CSI’s lead investigator, Gil Grissom, steps in and introduces himself as your CSI supervisor. He issues a challenge: “Keep an open mind,” he warns. “Remember, the dead can’t speak for themselves. Listen to what the evidence is saying.” You then begin an intriguing journey to solve a crime mystery by entering one of three very different crime scenes.

The Crime Scenes

The exhibit’s “investigators” will enter one of three different crime scenes where they will identify evidence and record findings on a special investigation card. The crime scenes vary in intensity, with the mildest being the presentation of skeletal remains discovered in a remote desert.

Beginning the Investigation

After exiting the crime scenes, guests will analyze evidence in two highly interactive lab areas, each featuring multiple stations that allow for various evidence testing. Guests who are investigating “A House Collided” will compare fingerprints of the victim to the evidence, examine blood spatter patterns, observe the shoes of the victim and tracks found in the room, compare fibers on the victim’s clothes with fibers in the room, analyze the victim’s blood-alcohol level, compare DNA of the victim with evidence and eventually discover the cause of death. For “Who Got Served?” the investigation will include reviewing evidence within a cell phone, examining the contents of the handbag, inspecting the purse and headshot for fingerprints, establishing the time of death, reviewing DNA samples, testing powder from the handbag at the scene, and discovering the cause of death. Guests working on “No Bones About It!” will analyze the bullet from the found skull, analyze hairs found with the body, examine a seed found in a pocket of the jacket, study a DNA sample from a tooth, test the DNA of an animal’s hair, examine a femur bone to establish the height of the victim, compare dental records to the victim and discover the cause of death.

Cracking the Case

At the end of the exhibit, guests will present their findings in a recreation of the office of Gil Grissom- the enigmatic CSI head investigator. They will answer a series of multiple choice questions, based on their scientific findings, on touch screens located in this area. After completing these questions, a case summary is generated and Gil Grissom tells them if they cracked the case. A diploma will be issued for all new recruits.

Scientific Inquiry in the following Fields

 
• DNA identification: understanding the fundamental applications of genetic biology and discoveries in DNA profiling that have greatly advanced forensic science.
 
• Toxicology: identifying the presence of drugs or poisons in body tissues, fluids and organs.
 
• Forensic anthropology: examining skeletal remains for forensic purposes.
  
• Forensic entomology: studying the presence of insects and/ or insect eggs in dead bodies to help determine the time or location of the death.
 
• Forensic pathology: looking for trauma or anomalies in the body’s systems that explain sickness or death.
 
• Forensic art: using an understanding of anatomy and physiology to create images.
 
• Firearm and toolmark identification: understanding the basic physics behind ballistics, and using observation skills to match patterns.
 
• Information technology: understanding the use of national databases, cell phones, cameras, e-mails and other digital technologies to track and investigate crimes.
 
• Latent prints: using chemistry to reveal fingerprints or handprints that are not visible to the naked eye.
 
• Blood spatter analysis: studying blood patterns to determine movement, speed, direction, location, which all to help identify what took place at the crime scene.

 

Tools and technologies in the exhibit:

 
• Video monitors with scenes from CSI: Crime Scene Investigation and real-life scientists talking about their areas of expertise
• Microscopes
• Computer databases
• Personal computers with touch-screen technology
• UV light sources
• Chemistry equipment, reagents
• DNA instrument systems
• Ballistics identification systems and bullet trap

CSI: The Experience Picture Gallery

 

Partners to CSI: The Experience

• Fort Worth Museum of Science and History
• CBS Consumer Products
• EMS EXHIBITS
• KBE
• National Science Foundation
• Bob Weis Design Island
• Rice University
• American Academy of Forensic Sciences
• Science Museum Exhibit Collaborative (SMEC)