Instructors Michael Bybelezer (left) and Christopher Lee May dust for prints at a CSI workshop. Visit the Photo Place

It's your turn to be a CSI

CSI: Washington--Museum visitors can try crime scene investigation

BY EDIE GROSS

Date published: 10/17/2008

BY EDIE GROSS

WASHINGTON

Oh, and a bullet-riddled body on the floor.

It's up to a team of novice forensic scientists--also known as visitors to the National Museum of Crime & Punishment--to crack the case.

The hands-on crime-scene investigation workshop is the latest offering by the museum, which opened in the District in May.

Participants receive a few clues about the crime, then get a crash course in evidence analysis by a group of George Washington University graduate students who do--or will do--this sort of thing for a living.

"We hope not only to raise an interest in forensics, which is at an all-time high, but lift the Hollywood veil and show them this is what happens," said one of the workshop's instructors, Christopher Lee May, who's earning a master's in forensic molecular biology.

He's joined by Michael Bybelezer, a recent graduate of GWU's master's program, and second-year master's students Bryan Ruggery and Melanie Towers.

But the class is hands-on for everyone in the room.

Participants learn how to make molds of shoe prints, capture fingerprints with magnetic powder and examine the results. Future classes may also include information on DNA interpretation and ballistics analysis.

The workshop goes hand in hand with the museum's CSI gallery, where visitors can literally walk through a crime scene--part of 28,000 square feet the museum devotes to crime and punishment in this country.

The class is considerably less graphic than the popular "CSI" television series--no bone fragments or bloody tissue on display.

But the instructors hope that folks who enjoy those shows will find the hands-on workshop interesting, too.

"I hope people get out of it the enjoyment of actually doing it themselves," said Bybelezer, who works full time at the museum.

"You can watch TV. You can watch the movies. But people don't get an opportunity to do it, and that's what I love about being in forensic sciences," said Bybelezer.

They also hope to expose a few Hollywood myths. For instance, investigators generally don't show up to crime scenes in high heels and full makeup.

And though real-life officers use a database of fingerprints to narrow down suspects, that database doesn't conveniently spit out the name of a guilty party. Rather, expert print analysts examine ridges, loops, whorls and arches in a painstaking hunt for a match.

Also, most investigations aren't neatly wrapped up in an hour, and some aren't wrapped up at all.

"Part of the evidence might mislead you. Part will give you the right impression," said Bybelezer. "A trained examiner has to tell the difference."

The foursome said they're eager to share their skills with the public and maybe even inspire a youngster to pursue CSI.

"Maybe some kid will be sitting here and realize that's what they want to do," said Towers.

"And maybe we can get some more crime fighters," added May.

Edie Gross: 540/374-5428
Email: egross@freelancestar.com

CSI: WASHINGTON WHAT: The National Museum of Crime & Punishment is offering a hands-on crime-scene investigation workshop to visitors about once a month, starting this Sunday. DETAILS: The class is free with paid admission, though visitors are encouraged to sign up in advance by e-mailing csi@crimemuseum.org or calling 202/621-5567. WHEN: Classes take place on Sundays, at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Participation is limited to about 30 people, who are split into adults and families with children. Classes are scheduled for: Oct. 19 Nov. 16 Dec. 7 WHERE: The museum is located at 575 Seventh St. N.W., between E and F streets. For more information, visit crimemuseum.org.

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Date published: 10/17/2008