University News
Forensics Exhibit and Presentation Series to Run thru May 1 at WIU
April 13, 2009
MACOMB, IL -- The Physical Sciences Library, one of the branches of Western Illinois University Libraries, is the venue for the 2009 Forensics Exhibit and Series of Presentations. According to Kathleen Clauson, unit coordinator of the Physical Sciences Library, the exhibit began April 10, runs through May 1 and includes many unique glimpses into forensic science and crime scene investigation.
"In addition to the exhibit, the Physical Sciences Library will host several short programs that focus on different areas of forensics and crime scene investigation," said T.J. Urbanski, associate dean of University Libraries and library liaison to the chemistry and physics departments at Western. "WIU offers several options for the study of forensics. For example, the chemistry department offers a major and minor in forensic chemistry; the psychology department offers a minor in forensic psychology; the anthropology department offers a minor in anthropology with available courses in forensic anthropology; and students majoring in law enforcement and justice administration may choose minors in forensic chemistry, forensic science and/or forensic psychology," he added.
The 2009 Forensics Exhibit and Series of Presentations are open free to the public. The Physical Sciences Library is located in the round annex in Currens Hall (Room 201) on Western's Macomb campus. The Library hours are 8 a.m.–8 p.m. Mondays–Thursdays and 8 a.m.–4 p.m. Fridays.
The remaining schedule for the Forensic Series of Presentations is as follows:
"Sudden Death in Custody," 3–4 p.m., Wednesday, April 15, Physical Sciences Library (Currens Hall 201) by Darrell Ross
Ross, law enforcement and justice administration department (LEJA) chairperson at Western, is co-author of the book "Sudden Deaths in Custody." Prior to coming to WIU in 2006, Ross served for 14 years as director of the forensics science program at Eastern Carolina University. Since 1988, he has served as an expert witness in 26 states, providing testimony in both state and federal courts.
"Overview of the State Police Forensics Laboratory," 11 a.m.–12 noon, Thursday, April 16, Currens Hall 201, by Kerry Nielsen
Nielsen, who works in the forensics division at the Illinois State Police (Morton, IL), is a WIU alumnus (B.S., biology, 1976; M.S., biology, 1997).
"Assessing the Influence of Witness Confidence on Detectives' Perceptions of Accuracy, Reliability and Probable Cause," 3:30–4:30 p.m., Tuesday, April 21, Currens Hall 201, by Kim McClure
McClure, a forensic psychologist and professor in Western's psychology department, conducts research in eyewitness psychology, social cognitive areas of memory and recognition, accuracy of memory and eyewitness confidence.
"Death and the Roles of Coroners," 6:30–9 p.m., Tuesday, April 21, Morgan Hall 324, by Janice Wamhoff, Larry Jameson and Eric Jameson
This presentation will feature Wamhoff, coroner in Bureau County (IL), as well as Larry and Eric Jameson, coroners in McDonough County. In collaboration with University Libraries' Physical Sciences Library branch, this presentation is sponsored by Patricia Anderson, associate professor of anthropology at WIU.
"An Overview of Forensic Anthropology," 1–2 p.m., Thursday, April 23, Currens Hall 201, by Patricia Anderson
Anderson, forensic anthropologist and associate professor of anthropology, has completed certification coursework at Mercyhurst Archaeological Institute (for the American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators or ABMDI) in three areas: death scene archeology and interpretation of human remains in outdoors contexts; laboratory methods in identification of human skeletal remains; and analysis of bone trauma and pseudo-trauma in suspected violent deaths.
According to Clauson, items and information for the exhibit have been contributed by Larry Jameson; John Carson, McDonough County Sheriff's Office; Chris Jagielo, WIU Office of Public Safety; Anderson (sociology and anthropology department, WIU); McClure (psychology department, WIU); Ross (LEJA department, WIU); Rose McConnell, Jack Huang, Lisa Wen and Xiaoping Pan, WIU chemistry department; and Kishor Kapale, Mark Boley and Jim Rabchuk, WIU physics department.
For more information, contact Clauson at (309) 298-1407 or KJ-Clauson@wiu.edu.
Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing
Connect with us: