Students learn 'the real science behind CSI'
by JILL SCHMELZER Reporter

The hit television drama, "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation," captured the attention of millions of Americans in 2000, leaving many to wonder how real-life investigators gather evidence and solve the mysteries associated with crime.

During the 2007 Science Exploration Day held March 14 at the University at Buffalo, high school students from across Western New York had the opportunity to listen to keynote speaker Theodore E. Yeshion explain the work portrayed by such TV characters as Gil Grissom.

The Science Education Day committee, consisting of teachers from Amherst Central, Buffalo City Honors, Kenmore East, Cleveland Hill, Alden and Springville-Griffith high schools, along with professors from UB, organized the all-day event to include scientific seminars for the students.

The students were required to sit in on two small-group presentations, as well as the keynote presentation.

Yeshion, an assistant professor at Edinboro University in Pennsylvania, described in detail his work as a crime scene investigator.

He outlined the structure of the laboratory and defined latent prints - the invisible impressions left on surfaces by a finger, palm, foot, ear, lips or nose.

"All of these prints can be used to identify an individual or exclude an individual from the scene," Yeshion said.

The role of the CSI is to identify the suspect for the prosecution and exclude an individual for the defense, the former North Carolina agent said.

"We want to get the guilty off the street, as well as the innocent to remain free," Yeshion added.

Next, the speaker explained what television characters on crime shows such as "CSI" mean when they use the term "ballistics."

He said the term refers to any projectile in motion, adding that unlike what is portrayed on television, ballistics does not identify the firearm used in a shooting.

Microanalysis, or trace evidence, requires more sophisticated training than the science listed above.

Trace evidence includes hair and fiber testing to determine origin - whether it be human or another species. Another form of microanalysis is toxicology, which includes the examination of drugs, alcohol and poisons found in a body. It can also be used to determine arson and explosives, the professor explained.

"Every contact leaves a trace," according to Dr. Edmund Locard, a forensic scientist who lived from 1877 to 1966.

Yeshion then explained that there is always at least a small amount of trace evidence that is transmitted from one object to another.

"We as investigators must be able to track that evidence," he said, noting that this is in correlation with serology and deoxyribonucleic acid, or DNA.

The speaker recalled an investigation he worked on of the homicide of a 9-year-old girl whose body was found in a Dumpster.

He used DNA found underneath the victim's fingernails and compared it to the suspect's DNA. It was a match, and the man is now serving a life sentence.

Next, he explained class characteristics, such as blood types and new tires. These are also used in proving beyond any reasonable doubt a perpetrator did or did not commit a specific crime.

"Everyone can look at the same picture and yet see it differently," Yeshion said, noting that all forensic evidence is used to identify the criminal.

Alex Hoffman, an advanced placement chemistry student at Lancaster High School, said he really enjoyed the presentation.

"I thought it was great," he said. "I like this forensic thing."

Throughout the day, the students had the opportunity to sit in on lectures about structural engineering and earthquakes; take astronomy or chemistry research laboratory tours; and learn about chromosomes and cancer, wildlife and aquatic habitats, computers, paranormal mysteries and more.

"I really enjoyed the ceramics lecture," Tonawanda High School student Michael Barry said, explaining that it discussed synthetic materials, which are used by soldiers in Iraq.

Other small-group presentations, such as "Investigating Paranormal Mysteries," gave the students a slide show presentation featuring a revealing look at such mysterious phenomena as the ghost of the Mackenzie House (in Toronto) and alleged cases of spontaneous human combustion.

The speaker, Joe Nickell, a paranormal investigator, explained his case files to the students and what he examined from a scientific viewpoint of the paranormal experiences he and others have encountered.

"I thought it (the day) was very intelligible," said Barry.

e-mail: JSchmelzer@beenews.com