Canine Unit

Presented by: Jim Minton and Dawn Rumuly, Auxillary Unit of APD

Austin, the search and rescue dog wagged his friendly tail to the delight of attendees. Other dogs in the Austin Police Department use their sensitive noses to smell illegal substances and explosives.

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Forensic Entomology

Presented by: John Abbott, Leslie Schulman, Barrett Klein, Department of Integrative Biology, University of Texas.

Entomologists from the University presented some of their work on the fascinating field of forensic entomology. They brought samples of maggots and other bugs. Insects infest and occupy carcasses in predictable patterns, so scientists can tell how long a corpse has been dead. Also, endemic species can help determine where a corpse has been.

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Ink Chromatography

Presented by: Ruby Ann Autry, Sargent-Welch

Attendees used chromatography kits provided by Sargent-Welch to separate the pigments from several ink pens. They compared their results with those of a ransom note to determine which pen was used to write the nefarious letter. Teachers and other interested people took home packets with information about this and other kits available from Sargent-Welch.

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DNA Fingerprinting

Presented by: Cecily Boyett Reyes, Department of Public Safety Crime Lab

Ms. Boyett Reyes elucidated participants on the interesting topic of DNA fingerprinting. She explained the process of collecting and analyzing DNA specimens from crime scenes. She also displayed examples of sample matching and requirements for identity establishment.

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Latent Prints

Presented by: Brian Strong, Department of Public Safety Crime Lab

Mr. Strong demonstrated how forensics officers collect fingerprints from crime scenes using special dust. He also described fingerprint types and the process of matching latent prints to records or other prints. Participants could take their own fingerprints just like a criminal!

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Water and Boating Safety

Presented by: Danny Forbes, Lower Colorado River Authority

Mr. Forbes made participants aware of the need for safe boating including life preserver use and remaining sober while on the water. He displayed an automatic electronic defibrillator used to restart the hearts of people in cardiac arrest. Also, he brought a rescue boat for all to see.

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Fingerprint Matching

Presented by: Chevalier Brown, Kealing Middle School Forensics Class

A local middle school boasts a Forensics class, and some participants presented the different types of fingerprints and the process of matching fingerprints. They also had fingerprinting supplies available for use.

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Hair Sample Identification

Presented by: Desiree Waugh, Kealing Middle School Forensics Class

During another activity hosted by the local middle school, students educated participants on the differences in hair medulary patterns between species. Using microscopes, people determined to which species a particular sample belonged.

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Coloring, Word Searches, and Fingerprinting

Presented by: Liz Dunn and Rebecca Comeaux, Undergraduate Geological Society

While most of our activities interest older children and adults, the UGS hosts activities to occupy our youngest visitors. This time they colored soil series maps of Texas and had an opportunity to fingerprint themselves.

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