The 'CSI' Experience

The museum exhibit based on the hit CSI franchise is now open in Chicago.

"CSI: The Experience" is an interactive exhibit that will spend several months in the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry. CSI creator Anthony Zuiker helped to create the exhibit with CBS, the National Science Foundation and the Fort Worth Museum of Science. Forensic Technology, the company that developed the Integrated Ballistics Identification System (IBIS), provided images for the exhibit. "CSI: The Experience" gives teenagers and adults the chance to collect and analyze evidence.

Museum guests choose between three crime scenes and then process the scene as though they were on a CSI show. The exhibit is interactive and the activities include comparing fingerprints, testing DNA, looking at ballistics and even attending an 'autopsy.' The cast of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, along with real-life forensic investigators, filmed videos for the exhibit to guide visitors through the process. Once they have completed their investigation, the museum guests enter a recreation of Gil Grissom's (William Petersen) office to share their findings and compare their results with those of real CSIs.

"CSI: The Experience" will remain in Chicago from May 25 to September 3. When the exhibit leaves Chicago, it will begin a tour of the country that will take it to eight cities in seven years. The organizers may decide to send it to additional locations after the planned tour is over. The popularity of crime shows that involve technology has created an interest in police-style forensics. According to Olivier Perreault-Smith, spokesman for Forensic Technology, fans "want to bridge the gap and make it as real as possible."

For more information, visit Buddy TV and CNews

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