While the realism in crime shows such as CBS’s “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” can be debated, the real life forensic science applications currently on display at the Putnam Museum of History and Natural Science cannot.
The Putnam’s latest exhibit, “CSI: The Experience,” features three crime scenes participants have to solve using real forensic science featured on crime shows. It opened on March 1.
The exhibit was originally created at the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History in Texas.
Cathy Barthelemy, director of professional development and community programs at Fort Worth, said that creating the exhibit was about using Hollywood forensics as a backdrop for learning about real forensics.
“What we wanted to inform the public was…what the real science of forensics looks like and how it differs from what you see on TV and movies and things like that,” said Barthelemy. “We wanted to make sure the real science came forward.”
Barthelemy said that one difference is that in the crime shows the scientists seem to do everything, whereas in real life there are experts such as blood spatter analysts and fingerprint specialists.
Brook Breitsprecher, the Putnam’s digital media and design coordinator, said participants will have to analyze the autopsy, study plants and insects and even examine bullet casings in order to solve the three crime scenes.
“I think this is one of the most hands-on exhibits we have ever had here,” said Breitsprecher, who added that even the leaves in the crime scene have to be precisely placed by designers.  “These are real life representations of what you would find in the real world.”
Amy Duncan, executive vice president of operations at Fort Worth, said that the $3.1 million exhibit has now traveled to 14 museums, including the Putnam, after its debut at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago in 2007.
Cast members of the show have cameo appearances throughout the exhibit, including Sara Sidle and Catherine Willows, played by Jorja Fox and Marg Helgenberger, respectively.
Participants also report their findings to CSI Head Investigator Gil Grissom, played by William Petersen.
“The Putnam is always trying to get new, hands-on activities that you can’t get anywhere else in the Quad Cities,” said Breitsprecher. “This is definitely an exhibit that usually only travels to major cities, and we, with the help of our major sponsors, decided to bring it to the Quad Cities so that (participants) could enjoy it.”
Barthelemy said the exhibit also features real-life experts who teach participants forensic applications, such as a scientist explaining how the way blood splatters could determine how fast the victim was moving.
“You would get quite a bit of experience going through the exhibit and talking about what all of the different processes are and how you analyze that information, so it’s a really good tickler for forensic science,” said Barthelemy.
The Putnam Museum is located at 1717 W. 12th St. in Davenport. Tickets can be purchased at the Putnam or on the museum’s website.