CSI: Augustana
Program dates: check-in June 21, class June 22-25, 2020
Program cost: $680
Includes lodging, all meals and any field trips. Students arrive on campus Sunday, June 21, and depart Thursday, June 25.
Course description
How does Hollywood get forensics wrong? In this course students will be introduced to the scientific reasoning behind forensics, focusing on DNA, bones and trace evidence. They will learn by doing: Using Augustana’s state-of-the-art equipment, you’ll critically evaluate evidence and apply your findings to a simulated crime.
This experience will be very interactive and hands-on. Enrollment will be kept low so each student will have personalized attention with the instructors. During this experience students will be introduced to the science behind the forensic techniques while applying them themselves.
Some of the forensic techniques the class will be covering will include fingerprint identification, small molecule detection (drugs, contaminants, etc.), and DNA analysis. The evidence gathered from all of these scientific analyses will be used to solve a “Who done it” mystery that will frame the entire week.
Tentative schedule
Sunday, June 21
- Check-in
- Welcome reception
Monday, June 22
- Program Introduction and Orientation
- Discussion of crime scene and forensic investigation
- Introduction to the case to work on this week
- Visit from a member of the Rock Island County Coroner's office
- Fingerprint identification
Tuesday, June 23
- Introduction to UV-Vis and its use in small molecule detection
- UV-Vis spectroscopy to analyze crime scene evidence
- Forensic anatomy
Wednesday, June 24
- Introduction to GC-MS analysis for detection of small molecules
- GC-MS to analyze crime scene evidence
- Introduction to chromatography and IR spectroscopy
Thursday, June 25
- Forensic DNA analysis
- Deductive reasoning — compiling all of the evidence analyzed from the week and identifying a probable suspect
Instructors: Dr. Mary Ellen Biggin, Dr. Jose R. Boquin, and Dr. Patrick A. Crawford
Dr. Mary Ellen Biggin, an associate professor of chemistry and chair of Augustana's chemistry department, completed her Ph.D. at the University of Illinois.
Dr. Jose R. Boquin is an assistant professor of chemistry. He received his Ph.D. from Baylor University.
Dr. Patrick A. Crawford is an associate professor of chemistry. He received his Ph.D. from Miami (Ohio) University.
