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2011 Forensics Series at the Physical Sciences Library

The 5th Annual Forensics Series, hosted by the Physical Science Library (PSL) and organized by WIU alumnus Kathleen Clauson 82’ 86’, is underway. This is one of the largest multi-disciplinary events on campus and is attended by students from Chemistry, Physics, Law Enforcement, Psychology, Anthropology, Sociology, Health Sciences and Biology, as well as community professionals and WIU Alumni. The series coincides with a special lecture on Monday, November 7 by Dr. Gary Telgenhoff, a forensic pathologist and a consultant for the TV programs CSI and Bones. This lecture is sponsored by the WIU University Theme Committee.

This exhibit and series of presentations benefits WIU students by creating unique educational out-of-the-classroom opportunities, as well as allowing students to establish professional contacts for potential career opportunities, learn about career requirements, and gain a glimpse of what these jobs are really like. WIU programs in forensics include the signature Forensic Chemistry major and Forensic Science minor; a minor in Forensic Psychology, and coursework in Forensic Anthropology. Those with little or no background in forensics can enjoy these presentations and learn some basic facts about real-life forensics and careers. TV shows such as CSI are popular because of the increased interest in forensic science and careers.

One important aspect of the series is the realistic presentation of information to the students. The forensic scientists on CSI do make use of over-simplified forensic techniques, but most forensic scientists in the lab do not collaborate with the investigators who actually work the crime scenes.  Crime scene investigators collect the evidence and forensic scientists document the evidence scientifically. Forensics labs generally have different divisions, with specialists trained for each division. In the real world, scientists who work in drug chemistry do only that, rather than dabble in every aspect of forensic science. A career in forensic science or crime scene investigation is far from glamorous and TV viewers see a watered-down glimpse of what it would be like to find a homicide victim. Investigators have special support to help them deal with troubling psychological aspects of the job and while they get used to what they see, it is never easy. Last year’s presenter, ISP Trooper Jim Vail, said the worst cases are those involving children.

This year’s series includes nine presentations, a larger exhibit, a mock crime scene and a CSI Contest, complete with background information, "bagged" evidence, photos of the crime scene, evidence, suspects, and a victim. This program is made possible entirely by the support and generosity of those who volunteer their time to make presentations. Collaboration and teamwork is the key to our success, and students are given the opportunity to learn about real-world forensics so that they could realize that not everything they see on TV is correct. Another common misconception is that just anyone can become a CSI. In the State of Illinois, only Illinois State Troopers can become CSIs, and there are only about 35 in the entire state. The WIU exhibits include information on the surprising FBI investigations Helen Keller and Lucille Ball; forensic physics, graphology (hand-writing analysis); famous crimes, ballistics, and photos from actual crime scenes and investigations.

Several experts and professionals have already presented, including Dr. Kim McClure from the WIU Department of Psychology. She presented a summary of her research which analyzed how deadly force virtual training affects the perception, memory, and physiological response of police officers. Dr. McClure is the advisor for forensic psychology students, and this is the third year she has participated. Forensic scientist Kerry Nielson ‘76 ‘97 from the Illinois State Police Forensic Lab in the drug chemistry unit in Morton, Illinois presented for the third time as a speaker on October 10. He presented an overview of the different divisions of the ISP Forensics Lab, including drug chemistry, polygraph, DNA analysis, ballistics and fingerprint analysis. Nielson also serves as a member of the WIU Forensic Program External Advisory Board. Another WIU graduate, Ben Mullins ‘09 ’11, returned to Macomb to make a presentation about a career in forensic science on October 21. Ben’s undergraduate research work focused on gun-shot residue analysis with Dr. Xiaoping Pan, and he was in the first class of students who graduated with a B.S. degree in Forensic Chemistry at WIU. Mullins completed his M.S. in Chemistry in the spring of 2011 and immediately after graduation he was hired by Aegis Sciences Corporation, where he is employed as a Forensic Special Chemist. Aegis Sciences was "founded as a sports doping laboratory in 1986, Aegis Sciences Corporation has evolved into a full service forensic sciences company providing toxicology and consulting services to sports organizations, medical examiner systems, crime laboratories, physicians, corporations and other organizations throughout the U.S. and the world.”

Dr. Jill Myers from WIU ‘s Department of Law Enforcement and Justice Administration, presented ways investigators derive information using technology and common sense on October 17. Dr. Myers spent 21 years as a prosecutor in Baltimore City. While there, she was the division chief of the special investigations unit, which targeted and prosecuted violent drug trafficking organizations by employing wire, electronic and oral surveillance techniques. On October 25, WIU was fortunate to host Illinois State Police Crime Scene Investigator Trooper Robin Kimm. On October 27, McDonough County Coroner Eric Jameson gave an in-depth glimpse into his life as a coroner. Jameson serves as a member of the WIU Forensic Program External Advisory Board, and this was the fourth time he has presented in the series. On October 31, Brianna Norris ’11 and Kathleen Clauson ‘82 ‘86 made a collaborative presentation and demonstration of Luminol, a chemical agent used to find traces of invisible human blood. Luminol glows in the dark when applied to traces of blood. This demonstration also revealed evidence in the mock crime scene.

This year’s mock case is based on the homicide of an actor and an international plot. The case starts with the homicide of Jack Slater, who was found dead in a park. The whole incident seems to start with the delivery of a package. The victim receives a package that is not his and by the next morning, he is dead. Participants in the contest must review the evidence, witness statements, and crime scene for clues to solve the case. They are looking for the perpetrator, a timeline of the events, how the office shown in the mock crime scene fits in, and what roles are played by the cast of characters. Students and interested participants are allowed to examine the mock crime scene, witness interviews and then propose a solution for the crime. A new dimension has been added to the contest this year, as new evidence is added every Monday and new clues every Friday on the new Physical Sciences Library blog . Contest entries are due by 6 p.m. on Wednesday, November 9.