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CSI: Crime Scene Insects

They’ve Wiggled Their Way Into A Hit Television Series—Now They’re Crawling Around Your Local Science Museum

For Immediate Release
January 27, 2006

Follow the trail of the tiniest witnesses at CSI: Crime Scene Insects, opening February 11 at UC Berkeley’s Lawrence Hall of Science (LHS).

Often within minutes of death, blowflies start depositing eggs on a corpse.   A parade of other insects follow, depending on how long and under what conditions the body is exposed.

CSI: Crime Scene Insects delves into a fascinating and fairly recent aspect of criminal investigations—forensic entomology.  This realistic exhibit explores the "biological clock" set in motion when the first insects arrive on the scene of a homicide.  Visitors get the feel of an actual investigation—and the literal sifting of evidence involved in forensic entomology.  The exhibit features authentic field and lab equipment, model crime scenes, live insects, case studies and interactive displays.  CSI: Crime Scene Insects will be at LHS through May 29. 

Meet M. Lee Goff, Ph.D., at LHS, February 11

The acceptance of forensic entomology closely parallels the career of Dr. Lee Goff of Chaminade University in Honolulu.  Dr. Goff is a consultant to the television program “CSI: Crime Scene Investigations” and curator of this exhibit. He will be at the Lawrence Hall of Science to do public tours of the exhibit February 11 at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 2:30 p.m.  He will also do book signings of “A Fly for the Prosecution.”

Dr. Goff's work with various law enforcement agencies including the FBI and the Honolulu Police Department is detailed in "A Fly For the Prosecution."  In addition to intriguing case studies, his book details the exacting research he and his colleagues have undertaken to establish forensic entomology as a bona fide and reliable tool for the legal community.  Careful examination of insects on the body, as well as of the soil around the body and the weather, yield vital clues about the time and circumstances of a death, if a body was moved, the time of death, and whether or not drugs or toxins played a role in the crime. 

Dr. Goff is available for interview by arrangement. 

CSI: Crime Scene Insects is at Lawrence Hall of Science from February 4 through May 29.   For up-to-date information on the exhibit and related activities go to www.lawrencehallofscience.org.

CSI: Crime Scene Insects is produced by Exhibit Q with national sponsorship by Bayer Environmental Science.  Local sponsorship is provided by Hilex Poly Co. and KPIX TV Ch 5.

About Lawrence Hall of Science
Lawrence Hall of Science (LHS) is the public science center of UC Berkeley.  It is located on Centennial Drive below Grizzly Peak in the Berkeley Hills (near Tilden Park).  LHS is open daily 10 a.m.–5 p.m.  It is closed Thanksgiving, Christmas day, and Labor Day.

General Admission to LHS:
            $9.50 for Adults (ages 19-61)                                                                        $7.50 for Youth (ages 5-18), Students, Senior Citizens (62+), Disabled                     $5.50 for Children (ages 3-4)
            FREE for Children 2 and under

The general information line is (510) 642-5132.  For more information, go to www.lawrencehallofscience.org.

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