Boston Adds To The 'Experience'

The Museum of Science, Boston (MOS) provides extra workshops and lectures to compliment "CSI: The Experience".

"CSI: The Experience" will be in Boston until January 1. Between now and then, the Museum will supplement the exhibit itself with a series of workshops. The "Armchair Crime Scene Investigation Series" gives visitors a behind-the-scenes look at forensics and dispels some myths and misconceptions about DNA. Each session costs $30 for museum members and $35 for nonmembers. The first workshop, "Make My DNA", occurred on October 18 and gave visitors a chance to construct a DNA model and learn about the collection of DNA as well as the way that it is used in forensic investigation.

The second workshop takes place on October 25 and is called "The Real CSI". During this workshop, museum visitors will learn about DNA analysis, including the limitations and the slow-moving process during a criminal investigation. The third and final workshop, "Who Am I?", is scheduled for November 1 and will focus on the use of DNA analysis in anthropology. The African-American DNA Roots project will be used as an example during the presentation. Also during this workshop, museum goers will perform a laboratory technique to separate and visualize DNA. Participants from the "Make My DNA" workshop will view their own DNA, which they collected October 18.

In addition to the "Armchair Crime Scene Investigation Series", the MOS is offering a free "Crime Prevention Presentation". The presentation is scheduled for three dates: October 29, November 19 and January 7. The security staff from the museum will work with certified R.A.D. Self Defense Instructors to offer tips to attendees on how to prevent crime based on risk awareness, risk reduction, risk recognition, and risk avoidance.

The first of a series of lectures called the "Crimes, History, & Mystery: A Series Investigating Criminal Minds and Those Who Unravel Them" was available to museum goers free of charge on October 17. The lecture, called "Superstition, Science, and Sherlock Holmes", was given by crime historian and author E.J. Wagner. Wagner explored the evolution of scientific crime investigation and signed copies of his book, The Science of Sherlock Holmes.

The "Crimes, History, & Mystery" series will include a second lecture that is scheduled for November 7: "Exit to Freedom". Calvin C. Johnson, Jr. was sentenced to life in prison in 1983 for rape and burglary. Johnson maintained his innocence and after 16 years in jail, he was exonerated with the help of the Innocence Project and state-of-the-art science. Johnson will lecture on his imprisonment and exoneration and will follow the presentation with an Exit to Freedom book signing.

To sign up for the "Armchair Crime Scene Investigation Series", please visit the official Museum of Science course catalog or call 617/723-2500 (617/589-0417 TTY). To contact the course office, call 617/589-0300. Advance registration is recommended for the "Crime Prevention Presentation" by calling 617/570-4507. Tickets to the "Crimes, History, & Mystery: A Series Investigating Criminal Minds and Those Who Unravel Them" series are free, but seating is limited and tickets are distributed on a first come, first served basis.

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