Molecules, murder and mayhem: GCSU holds two forensics science nights

For National Forensics Week, Georgia College & State University is hosting two science nights filled with information and forensic fun for the community to enjoy—a Science Café Wednesday, Sept. 27, and Forensics Night Thursday, Sept. 28.

Dr. Catrena Lisse, director of the university’s Science Education Center, will give an interactive presentation called “Molecules of Murder: A Glimpse into Forensic Chemistry” at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Birdhouse of Blackbird Coffee in Milledgeville.

The STEM Club wanted to center their kickoff Science Café around the professor’s advanced research course “Molecules of Murder.”

“The purpose of a Science Café is to learn about something scientific in a relaxing, non-intimidating environment,” Lisse said. “This month we had the opportunity to combine the Science Café with Forensics Night, and we are excited to bring our community another crime to solve with Thunder.”

Thunder is the Georgia College’s Bobcat mascot, who needs help cracking a ‘whodunit’ crime mystery. Forensics Night, 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, is for all ages and open to the public. The evening is a hands-on opportunity for ordinary folks to play Crime Scene Investigators (CSI), like their favorite detectives on TV.

This year, someone has used counterfeit money at a local hardware store to buy suspicious materials that could be used dangerously. Thunder and his CSI pals have only hours to prevent a possible catastrophe.

In Herty Hall, room 354, participants will be given a badge and investigator materials. They’ll collect and process evidence in the forensics lab, analyze data and help Thunder determine the culprit and who to arrest.

Hosted by the university’s Science Education Center and Chemistry Club, Forensics Night was partly designed by students in the Forensics capstone course. About 30 students will be on hand that night to help participants solve the crime.

 “It’s important to share our love of science and engage with our local community,” Lisse said. “This is an opportunity to showcase real-world science in a fun way—everyone loves solving mysteries.”