Crime-Solving Bugs Unearth Forensic Entomology

Warning: this experience may bug you!

The hands-on experience explores criminal investigations through interactive components of forensic entomology. Visitors can observe real crime scene insects in action, such as carrion beetles, dermestid (flesh-eating) beetles, blowflies and their maggots, and will have the opportunity to consider real evidence and act as crime solvers while investigating recreated crime scenes.

Developed and constructed by Exhibit IQ, CSI: Crime Scene Insects is curated by Dr. Lee Goff, an entomological consultant for the FBI and other law enforcement agencies worldwide, as well as for the hit CSI television shows. Dr. Goff credits the television shows’ popularity for the recent surge of interest in entomology and the exhibition. However, forensic entomology has been valued as an integral part of criminal investigation dating as far back as 13th Century China.

Visitors are encouraged to get up-close and personal with live insects and use their forensic crime-solving skills via interactive demonstrations on insects, ranging from life cycles to the tools used to collect them as evidence.

CSI: Crime Scene Insects also offers guests the opportunity to:

- Investigate recreated crime scenes: collect evidence, analyze it and draw conclusions about the nature of the crimes.

- Explore the five stages of decomposition: learn the role insects play in the natural progression from stage to stage. Discover how important it is for forensic investigators to understand both insect lifestyles and the stages of decomposition in order to successfully use insects to solve crimes.

- View morgue drawers containing medical models of cadavers: observe insects that reside in a decomposing body shortly after death and another body in a more advanced state of decomposition. (Note: Decomposing bodies are sculpted models)

- Participate in an investigation: the Museum will have a costumed entomologist playing the character of a crime scene investigator and guiding visitors through a mock inquiry.

The exhibition meets the National Science Education Standards and is acceptable for children eight years and older (third grade).

Sponsored nationally by Bayer Environmental Science.

CSI: Crime Scene Insects is free with Museum admission.

(Note: this exhibition contains strobe lighting in some areas.)