CSI: Crime Scene Insects
Learn the secrets of crime solving bugs. The Miami Science Museum offers visitors a rare opportunity to learn more about the mysterious world of crime scene investigation with its new exhibit, CSI: Crime Scene Insects. The exhibit dives into forensic entomology, the use of insects such as flies, maggots and beetles to reveal critical details of a crime scene, a fascinating practice that plays a vital role in solving a variety of crimes. CSI: Crime Scene Insects opens June 6th and runs through January 2010.
Inspired by the hit television show CSI: Miami, this interactive exhibit explores criminal investigations through lively and hands-on components of forensic entomology. Visitors can observe real crime scene insects including: carrion beetles, demisted (flesh-eating) beetles, blowflies and their maggots, and even investigate recreated crime scenes to collect evidence and solve the crimes.
“There is a huge interest in crime scene investigations because of television shows, courtroom access and media coverage of criminal activities,” said Sean Duran, vice president of exhibitions and programs for the Miami Science Museum. “CSI offers our visitors a chance to go behind the scenes and learn first- hand how the natural behavior of insects can be used as evidence in investigations.”
Forensic entomology has been valued as an integral part of criminal scene investigation dating as far back as 13th Century China. Flies, beetles, wasps and other insects can provide important clues that help investigators tie suspects and victims to a crime scene, determine the timing of the crime and the role of drugs or toxins in a crime scene. CSI: Crime Scene Insects brings this practice to life and visitors are encouraged to use their newfound forensic skills to solve mock crimes presented in the exhibit at the Miami Science Museum.
In addition to getting up-close and personal with live insects, visitors can stop by the CSI Discovery Cart for live, interactive demonstrations on forensic insects, ranging from life cycles to the tools used to collect them as evidence. CSI: Crime Scene Insects also offers visitors the opportunity to:
- Investigate recreated crime scenes to collect evidence, analyze it, and draw conclusions about the nature of the crimes.
- Explore the five stages of decomposition to learn the role insects play in the natural progression from stage to stage. Visitors can discover how important it is for forensic investigators to understand both insect lifecycles and the stages of decomposition in order to successfully use insects to help solve crimes.
- Open morgue drawers containing medical models of cadavers: one drawer showing the insects that reside in a decomposing body shortly after death, and one showing a body in a more advanced state of decomposition.
Experience a maggot feeding frenzy every weekend at the Miami Science Museum!
In addition to being remarkable eating machines, maggots are powerful evidence used to solve crimes. Experience what it is like to be a forensic entomolgoist, or bug scientist, by collecting and examining fly larvae (maggots) from a decaying specimen.
Museum guests will learn how to determine the different life stages of flies and beetles by viewing them under a microscope. You can even take your maggot or pupae home and watch it mature into an adult fly!
