New CSI Experience at the Witte (Fort Worth, Center: appointed, fingerprints, crime)

[majormadmax]

I posted this in the thread about forensic science kits, but though the new exhibit starting at the Witte today deserved its own thread...

CSI: The Experience. Witte Museum

Can YOU crack the case?

You’ve seen the award-winning television drama. Now it’s your turn to crack the case!

Created in cooperation with the hit CBS franchise, "Crime Scene Investigation," this exhibition lets you step into the world of cutting-edge forensic science and investigative techniques. Examine the evidence then solve the crime!

Imagine entering a crime scene and being the one responsible for noticing and collecting every trace of evidence. The pressure is on: you know the analysis of your evidence must be scientifically sound to crack the case. From DNA and firearms analysis to forensic anthropology and toxicology, visitors will be immersed in hands-on science in an exciting multimedia environment with dazzling special effects direct from the CSI TV series.

-Examine "crime" scenes to identify and record evidence

-Enter the "laboratories" to conduct scientific testing

-Visit the "autopsy" rooms for pathology analysis

-Report to the "office" to build a case, based on the scientific evidence

The exhibit was developed by the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History and Bob Weis Design Island Associates, with support from CBS Consumer Products, the cast and crew of the television show, and the National Science Foundation.

I will most definitely be taking the wife, she's a huge fan of those shows (whereas I prefer The First 48 ).

Cheers! M2

[L210]

I'm going next week. I'll try to remember to give a review.

[L210]

This was disappointing. There were no hands-on activities, just a bunch of touching of computer screens to match things. Besides the vehicles, which were real, most of the stuff didn't look realistic. I was bored.

[pr57001]

Originally Posted by L210

This was disappointing. There were no hands-on activities, just a bunch of touching of computer screens to match things. Besides the vehicles, which were real, most of the stuff didn't look realistic. I was bored.

Did you go to the same Exhibit I did? It was great.

I don't think running an actual hands on blood alcohol test or autopsy would be practical.

[Soviet]

That's a shame.

[Soviet]

Originally Posted by pr57001

Did you go to the same Exhibit I did? It was great.

I don't think running an actual hands on blood alcohol test or autopsy would be practical.

What was great about it?

[pr57001]

Originally Posted by Soviet

What was great about it?

Compared to a lot of traveling exhibits, it was modern, it was interactive, it was compelling as I learned things I did not know as an adult (keeping in mind these things are targeted at kids). There are several crime scene scenarios. You examine the scene and run through a series of forensic tests and try and determine the culprit.

[L210]

Originally Posted by pr57001

Did you go to the same Exhibit I did? It was great.

I don't think running an actual hands on blood alcohol test or autopsy would be practical.

There was no dusting for fingerprints, no pouring of chemicals (can be fake), no picking up of fake but realistic evidence to closely analyze or look at under a microscope.... You don't need to use real bodily fluids or bodies to have forensic science labs. They didn't even attempt to make the bodies on the autopsy table look realistic. Everyone I went with was disappointed, but we're all adults who have a serious interest in criminal justice. Maybe our standards are too high. Although, I do remember going on a field trip to the UT Health Science Center in middle school and getting to put on gloves and examine real brains.

[L210]

I should add that I do not feel like CSI or the exhibit are appropriate for children under 12. The exhibit included dummies that represented dead people, murder, drunk driving, and an alleged bag of cocaine. There might be something else I'm missing. On the website, they say the exhibit is meant for adults and children 12 and over. Anyone who wants to bring younger children should use discretion.