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Most parents would take exception with a summer camp where their children were looking at methamphetamine and cocaine, maybe even if they were fake. Not so, however, for parents of Camp CSI: Birmingham attendees. Last week, campers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, all of them high school students from the Birmingham area, spent five days engrossed in the real-life science behind the three CSI television series.
For the first four days, campers at the program, hosted by UAB’s Department of Justice Sciences, spent the morning being briefed by grad students and forensic science/criminal …read more

This is definitely for the curious CSI lover. It is also not for the faint of heart. It’s not the most graphic autopsy video I’ve seen, but, for its brevity, it is interesting and informative for those who want to know more about what the medical examiners of CSI would do, if it weren’t just television.
This video is an autopsy of a man who died of an apparent gunshot wound. Who pulled the trigger?

Okay, who’s up for a seafood luncheon?
Video Source: National Geographic

This week, we saw a significant event in the investigation of the 1996 JonBenet Ramsey murder case. Investigators were able to use Touch DNA to exclude the Ramsey family from the suspect list. When I saw this reported, my first question was, “What the heck is touch DNA?” Apparently, I wasn’t the only person wondering. Here’s a clip from CBS Early Show where Harry Smith speaks with forensic scientist Angela Williamson, the investigator who worked on the case, and she explains the new technique to us.
[video source]
csi-miami, csi miami, CSI, cbs, tv, Television, DNA

It really is cool, on CSI: Miami, when they toss a bunch of evidence onto a table, and then use what looks like a billion dollar vertical, translucent touch screen to manipulate what they have into quick “what if” scenarios. It’s really, really cool. Too bad such technology is not available. Or, is it?
Microsoft Surface
Microsoft Surface user manipulates photos.
For the past several years, Microsoft has been working on an interactive surface similar –in many ways- to the screen used by CBS’ Hummer-driving Miami CSIs. Microsoft Surface comes in a 30-inch diagonal screen that uses rear projection and infrared cameras …read more

Photo: Newscom.
Get Grissom on the horn! Las Vegas, the hometown of the critically acclaimed, original CSI series is no longer home to a university forensic science program. Administrators at UNLV pulled the plug on the program, citing the need for budget cuts. The administration also points to the financial inability to appoint a program director and the faculty required to attain accreditation for the program.
Background Check
Creating the program was a brilliant move, actually. Build upon the mystique, and the fact that the country already associates forensic science with Las Vegas. Less than five years ago, the university began the …read more

Last December, just in time for Christmas, the Asbestos Disease Awareness Foundation released to the public a list of household items in which their independent lab tests had found asbestos.
At the request of CBS, manufacturer Planet Toys removed from store shelves two toys on the list, the CSI: Fingerprint Examination Kit and the CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Kit. The company insisted, however, that their own tests showed no signs of asbestos in the made-in-China kits. ADAF’s tests found asbestos in the fingerprinting dust in kits purchased at Toys ‘R Us.
Within the past month, federal and state suits were filed in …read more

On the season finale of CSI: NY, Hostage, we see the Kriss Super V. Check out this video, showing the real thing, designed for the military, allowing them to use larger rounds, in an automatic weapon, but with more accuracy in each shot. This is amazing, but scary to think that anyone might gain access to it on the angry streets of some city.

[Video source]

Are you looking for love, and have tried everything else? There may be a way that you can scientifically find your perfect mate. At least, that’s what a service called ScientificMatch.com says. They use each person’s DNA to find the perfect partner for them. Don’t ask me if it works, I’m just reporting to you what they claim. In fact, here’s a list of the benefits they say that DNA matching will give you:
When you share chemistry with someone, you significantly increase your chances of realizing these amazing benefits:

You’ll love their natural body fragrance–they’ll smell “sexier” than other people.
You’ll have …read more

Now there’s a whole new thing to do with DNA. Sure, it can solve crimes, determine paternity, help diagnose illness and a whole range of totally cool things, but did you also know that you can now use as a work of art? Art that’s completely your own?

But perhaps I should have put a little more thought into it: The art studio DNA 11 will take your genetic profile, and, for a small fee, render it as “a breathtaking piece of timeless art.” Basically, they just print the code on a canvas, but they offer a wide range of colors …read more

I just ran across this article on Yahoo.com that talks about several jobs that are in demand and pay well, but don’t require a ton of expensive education to get your toe in the door. One of them was that of Forensic Science Technician. I’m assuming that this refers to the “lab rats” on the CSI shows. Here’s their description of the job and the education required, including the expected salary rate:
Forensic Science Technician
You’ve seen the TV shows — these professionals collect and analyze physical evidence and document laboratory methods and findings. Computer skills and attention to detail are crucial …read more