FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                        FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:

Beverly Littlejohn, (813) 987-6313

blittlej@mosi.org

 

 

 

 

WHODUNIT? Exhibit Explores Science of Crime Solving

 

TAMPA, Fla.  (April 23, 2004) – Many a young reader has dreamed of working alongside Sherlock Holmes, the Hardy Boys, and Nancy Drew as they followed a series of puzzling clues on the trail of a murderer. Arm chair sleuths have matched wits with Columbo, Jessica Fletcher, and Ben Matlock in TV and movie mysteries. Now thousands of amateur detectives can use their own powers of observation and skills of deduction to solve a simulated robbery-murder in Whodunit? The Science of Solving Crime, an exhibit opening at MOSI, Tampa’s Museum of Science & Industry, June 12, 2004.

Guests to Whodunit? walk into a crime scene at the Memory Diner. The diner has been robbed at gun point. When the police respond, they discover a body in the alley. The short-order cook is the only witness. How reliable is he? Are the crimes related? Did the suspect leave clues in the diner? Visitors gather evidence at the scene, then visit hands-on stations to solve the crime. Stations throughout Whodunit? have activities for all ages of visitors, including “Kids Only” activities in each area.

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The interactive exhibit explores scientific methods and technologies used to solve crimes, including DNA profiling, fingerprinting, firearm identification, forensic anthropology,

pathology, entomology, odontology, evidence collection, and trace evidence. Case studies of several “historic” crimes are also featured, as are profiles of real forensic professionals. Visitors collect, analyze, and synthesize data to deduce various suspects’ innocence or guilt at crime lab stations.

The nationally acclaimed exhibit was created and built by the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History. Museum staff developed Whodunit? with the active involvement of a distinguished advisory panel of forensic scientists, law enforcement officers, and educators, including staff members of  the Fort Worth Police Department, University of North Texas Health Science Center, University of North Texas, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Purdue University, Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office, Texas Department of Public Safety, and Fort Worth Independent School District.

Whodunit? was produced with assistance from Design and Production Incorporated of Lorton, Virginia, and Krent/Paffett Associates, Inc., of Boston, and was made possible, in part, by a major grant from the National Science Foundation.  It will be on display at MOSI through Sept. 12, 2004.

            MOSI is the largest science center in the southeastern United States and home of the only IMAX^Ò Dome Theatre in the state of Florida.  In all, MOSI offers more than 450 “minds-on” interactive activities.  MOSI is located at 4801 East Fowler Avenue, Tampa, opens daily at 9 a.m., is wheelchair accessible, and offers free parking.  For more information, visit MOSI’s Web site at www.mosi.org or call (813) 987-6000.

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