Libraries

Forensics Exhibit and Speaker Series

Forensics exhibit from October 15th to November 15th 2010

Physical Sciences Library will host the 2010 Forensics Exhibit and Speaker Series from October 15th through November 15th. The exhibit and all speaker events will take place in the Physical Sciences Library, 201 Currens, unless otherwise noted.

The forensics exhibit will include unique glimpses into forensic science and crime scene investigation (CSI). It will include a mock crime scene and a CSI contest. The contest will run from October 15th through November 3rd at 6 pm. Participants will be able to review the "scene", evidence and the police reports, and then submit their conclusions. Entries will receive points for each accurate connection provided. The entry with the highest number of points will win. The winner will be announced on November 8th and will receive a CSI prize. Stop by the Physical Sciences Library to review the crime scene and pick up your contest entry form.

The forensics speaker series will be as follows:

Stop Snitching!
An Investigation of Factors that Impact Witness Cooperation, presented by Dr. Kim McClure, Department of Psychology, Western Illinois University
Tuesday, October 19, 2010 from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Physical Sciences Library, 201 Currens
Hands-On CSI DNA/Drug Screen Testing
Everyone Can Do and Interpret DNA/Drug Tests, presented by Dr. Hongxia Guan, Department of Forensic Chemistry and the Students from Forensic Chemistry, Western Illinois University
Tuesday, October 26, 2010 from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Physical Sciences Library, 201 Currens
Illinois State Police Crime Scene Investigation
Learn What the Real CSIs Do and What it Takes to Become One, presented by ISP Trooper Jim Vail, Crime Scene Investigator
Wednesday, October 27, 2010 from 9:00 a.m. to 9:50 a.m. and again at 11:00 a.m. to 11:50 a.m. Physical Sciences Library, 201 Currens
A Walk Through an Illinois State Police Forensics Lab
Presented by Mr. Kerry Nielsen, Illinois State Police Forensics Laboratory
Wednesday, October 27, 2010 from 1:00 p.m. to 1:50 p.m. Physical Sciences Library, 201 Currens
Everything You Do Can and Will be Used Against You
Conspiracy Investigations, presented by Dr. Jill Myers, The School of Law Enforcement and Justice Administration, Western Illinois University
Tuesday, November 2, 2010 from 12:30 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. Physical Sciences Library, 201 Currens
What is Forensic Anthropology?
Presented by Dr. Patricia Anderson, Department of Sociology and Anthropology, Western Illinois University
Friday, November 5, 2010 from 9:00 a.m. to 9:50 a.m. Morgan Hall 101A
A Day in the Life of the Coroner
Presented by Mr. Eric Jameson, McDonough County Coroner
Thursday, November 11, 2010 from 1:00 p.m. to 1:50 p.m. Physical Sciences Library, 201 Currens

Items for the Forensics exhibit have been contributed by Dr. Hongxia Guan, Dr. Rose McConnell, Dr. Lisa Wen, and Dr. Jack Huang WIU Department of Chemistry, McDonough County Police Department; Captain Chris Jagielo, Office of Public Safety; Dr. Patricia Anderson, WIU Department of Sociology and Anthropology; Dr. Kim McClure, Department of Psychology; Katelyn Stewart and Seth Lamb, WIU Chemistry Graduate Students, Mercedes Taylor, Undergraduate Student, Chemistry/Anthropology; and Dr. Kishor Kapale, Dr. Mark Boley, Dr. Jim Rabchuk, Department of Physics.

Consultants for the Mock Crime Scene/Case Details include Dr. Elsa L. Vazquez,-Melendez, Assistant Professor Combined Medicine-Pediatrics University of Illinois College of Medicine at Peoria and Saint Francis Medical Center, Peoria; Detective William Gass, Macomb Police Department, Dr. Hongxia Guan, WIU Forensic Chemistry; and Mr. Eric Jameson, McDonough County Coroner. PSL Crime Scene Team includes Sara Vazquez-Melendez, Brianna Norris, Kathleen Clauson, and Mercedes Taylor.

Everyone interested in forensics and crime scene investigation is invited to visit the exhibit and attend the presentations. The exhibit and all presentations are free and open to the public. The Physical Sciences Library is open Monday through Thursday 8am to 6pm and Friday from 8am to 4:30pm. Closed Saturday and Sunday.

Please contact Kathleen Clauson, Unit Coordinator of the Physical Sciences Library at 309-298-1407 or email at KJ-Clauson@wiu.edu for more information.