Visitors to the California Science Center will experience the newest edition of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation by playing the role of forensic scientists in CSI: The Experience. Inspired by the hit CBS television series, the new traveling exhibit highlights the process of scientific inquiry and real investigation techniques used to solve crimes. It opens to the public on January 31 and runs through April 26, 2009.
From DNA and firearms analysis to forensic anthropology and toxicology — sciences vital to unraveling the mysteries of crime scene investigation — visitors are immersed in hands-on science in an exciting multi-media environment with special effects direct from the CSI TV series. Cast members from the series, along with their real-life counterparts, welcome visitors to CSI: The Experience from a large video monitor then lead them throughout the experience.
The new recruits start their investigation in one of three crime scenes: a suburban living room, a hotel alley, or a remote desert. Each scene represents a very different crime mystery, but the task at hand is the same as visitors are challenged to identify and gather evidence; analyze materials with the help of the latest scientific and technological advances; formulate hypotheses about the crime; and confirm and communicate their findings.
CSI: The Experience features two separate crime labs where visitors can explore the state-of-the-art technology used in evidence analysis. In order to trace vehicle tracks, clothing fibers, and paint chips in the first lab, museum-goers will collect data from mass spectrometry and microscope analysis to determine where matches occur and how they contribute to the larger hypothesis. Here, visitors can also evaluate digital evidence provided by cell phones and other electronics, in addition to hard evidence such as fingerprints, blood patterns, and ammunition casings.
In a second laboratory space, visitors examine forensic art as they study age progression and attempt to match an image with a victim. At the end of CSI: The Experience, visitors use the scientific information they gathered to answer a series of multiple-choice questions on touch screens. After completing the survey, a case summary is generated and exhibit-goers can compare their scientific findings to those of expert crime scene investigators.
Developed by the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History, with support from CBS Consumer Products and the National Science Foundation, CSI: The Experience maintains the spirit of the popular television series. For more information about the exhibit, go to CSItheexperience.org.
About the California Science Center
The California Science Center’s mission is as follows: "We aspire to stimulate curiosity and inspire science learning in everyone by creating fun, memorable experiences, because we value science as an indispensable tool for understanding our world, accessibility and inclusiveness, and enriching people’s lives."
General Info: The California Science Center and IMAX Theater are located in historic Exposition Park just west of the Harbor (110) Freeway at 700 Exposition Park Drive, Los Angeles. Open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., except on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. For recorded information, including IMAX show times, call 323.SCIENCE (323.724-3623). IMAX ticket prices range from $4.75 to $8.00. For advance ticket purchases, group rates, or to make reservations for any visiting group of 15 or more (required), call 213.744-2019. Parking is available in the guest lot at Figueroa and 39th / Exposition Park Drive at $8 per car, $10 for school buses and $25 for commercial buses or oversize vehicles. Both the Science Center and IMAX Theater are wheelchair accessible. For further information, please visit our website at californiasciencecenter.org.
Contact:
Shell Amega | samega@cscmail.org
Paula Wagner | pwagner@cscmail.org
Kristina Kurasz | kkurasz@cscmail.org
(213) 744-7446
californiasciencecenter.org
