Western Illinois University: Macomb Campus

Interested in learning more about QUANTUM LEAPS? Perfect for the day after Leap Year Day!
Join us for a discussion at 12 noon in the Physical Sciences Library. This is the third part in the fabric of the Cosmos series. Brought to us by Dr. Araya’s Astro-lunch Group and the Physics and Engineering Club! SEE YOU THERE!

At the Physical Sciences Library, known as the PSL for short, Spring semester is off to a great start! Please take note of our hours.

On Monday, February 13th we’ll be closed to celebrate Abraham Lincoln’s Birthday. Then on Tuesday February 14th, we’ll be back to our regular hours and will be open until 6pm four days a week.

Stop by and see us Monday through Thursday 8am-6pm and 8am-4:30pm on Fridays.

The PSL is WIU’s best kept secret. We offer friendly service and a cozy quiet environment for both individual and group study.  We have computers and Wi-Fi for your convenience! Check us out!–we’re in the WIU’s only round building on the end of Currens Hall. You’ll be glad you did!

For more information call (309) 298-1407.

Congratulations to Mr. Jameel Granberry, winner of this year’s PSL C.S.I. Contest.  Jameel is a junior at WIU, majoring in Criminal Justice.  He diligently worked this case and his contest submission was very analytical and top-notch!  He will definitely be an excellent investigator or prosecutor. Congratulations again, Jameel!  Jameel’s prizes included a C.S.I. cap and two books.  One is entitled “The Real World of a Forensic scientist,” by Dr. Henry Lee, who was a key consultant in the murder case of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman against O.J. Simpson.  The other is a popular book at the Physical Sciences Library, “The Forensic Science of C.S.I.” whcih includes interesting details on crime scene investigation and case histories. 

Thanks to everyone who worked our case and/or entered our contest!  Copies of the complete story are available at the Physical Science Library or electronically, by request from Kathleen Clauson at KJ-Clauson@wiu.edu.

In an internal police briefing, Detective Florescu revealed that Nick Danko’s DNA  (shown as Suspect#2) is not a match for DNA found at the crime scene. DNA belonging to Suspect#5 was also not a match for DNA found at the scene and detective Florescu said Suspect #5 is not a suspect, nor related to this case in any way.

At the crime scene in the office in Millennium Gallery, investigators were able to identify blood belonging to Jack and only one of the suspects. Blood belonging to the top suspect was found on the paper towel shown as evidence (pouch #18).  Autopsy reports also confirm that Jack’s body was moved after his death.

As a reminder, all C.S.I. contest entries must be submitted via email no later than 6pm CST on Wednesday, November 9th.  For more details regarding contest entries please pick up an entry form with complete guidelines at the Physical Sciences Library.

“Dr. T,” Telgenhoff works as the deputy medical examiner for the Clark County Coroner’s Office in Las Vegas, NV. He serves as a forensic consultant for popular television shows such as “Bones” and “CSI”. According to his official press bio, “Dr. T” sees approximately 1,000 bodies annually, 450 of which he autopsies. Of these cases, 45 are homicides. His presence is often required in court cases for testimony regarding his findings and determination of cause and manner of death. Telgenhoff has 16 years of training and 11 years of experience in the forensics field. After completing a year of medical school at Michigan State University, he served five years of pathology residency in Ohio before relocating to Las Vegas. Telgenhoff will speak at 7 p.m. in the University Union Grand Ballroom on Monday, November 7th. The event is open free to the public. His appearance ties in with the University-wide theme of “Science and Technology: Discover, Innovate, Create.”

Thanks to everyone who attended the 5th Annual Forensics Series and are participating in our C.S.I. Contest! More than 500 people attended our speaker series. Thank you! Submissions for our C.S.I. Contest are due next Wednesday, November 9th by 6pm CST. Bonus Clues and Bonus Evidence will be available between now and Friday evening so stop in the PSL and watch our blog for new information. Thanks again to everyone for making our Forensics Series a great success!

The following represents a press release that was received by media this morning.

Press Release –October 31, 2011 -AP

The Secretary of Defense has confirmed that a renowned Russian scientist, Mr. Vladimir Felderova, Director and Chief Researcher of the Obshina Research Institute of Infectious Disease in Moscow, has been asked to come to the United States to consult on a recent case.  The specifics of the case have not been disclosed.  Follow-up information will be released at a later date.  Contact information–Col. Jack Hansen, Fort Detrick (301) 645-6700 and Ms. Tatiana Razchinko, Obshina Research Institute, (7) (495) 499.6074.

NOTE: The following report is a fictional report generated only for the PSL Mock Crime Scene and CSI Contest.

In a top secret classified police report, Police Commissioner O’Harra received a report regarding the analysis of the silica gel pillow found with the discarded ring box in Millennium Park, representetd by Evidence Pouch #3.  Police noticed that the silica pillow had been opened and resealed.  When sent to the lab for analysis, inside the silica pillow was a tiny sealed vial of white powder.  The vial was covered in layers of protective plastic covering and re-sealed twice more in larger vials that fit inside the silica pillow.  This vial, because of its suspect nature was sent to the u.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Disease in Fort Detrick.  The results of this analysis is enclosed in this classified document and it will not be released to the public, until their investigation is complete.  All precautions for public safety have been addressed and an emergecy plan activitated.  There is NO indication that this vial presents the potential for harm since it was so systematically sealed.  The substance in the vial tested positive for a bacteria known as Bacillus anthracis.  Investigators believe it is simlar to a bacteria identified in Russia following the Sverdlovsk leak in 1979.