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The crime cases involving human life are almost part of everyday's news. In solving a crime case, witnesses are, of course, crucial. Besides, the dead body itself can also reveal critical physical evidence such as cause of death, sequence of events surrounding the death, and persons involving in the crime case. Forensic science is what we call today to scientifically collect physical evidence of a crime for criminal detection.
In the past 100 years, the progress of forensic science has been amazing. The magnifying glass has been supplemented by ultra-violet light, DNA profiling, microscopes, computers and other sophisticated tools. All these discoveries give a great helping hand in solving crime cases.
People wishing to get a better understanding of forensic science should not miss the upcoming exhibition, "Whodunit? Mystery at Menagerie Park", which will be held at the Hong Kong Science Museum from tomorrow (June 19) to November 18, 2001. The exhibition uses a crime scenario in a wildlife park with visitors gathering evidence at 24 interactive exhibits in order to solve the crime. This highlights the jigsaw-like process that forensic scientists work through, sifting through evidence to piece together an accurate picture of the crime in order to provide evidence for a prosecution. In working through this scenario, "Whodunit?" provides visitors with a better understanding of forensic science and the underlying principles.
To complement the exhibition, the Hong Kong Science Museum has fabricated a collection of exhibits on "Forensic Medicine in Ancient China". At a simulated crime scene, visitors may participate in the detection of several mysterious crime cases with a well-known forensic scientist Song Ci, the author of the oldest extant book on forensic medicine, "The Washing away of Wrongs". Through the examination of clues, visitors will appreciate the brilliant achievement in forensic sciences by ancient Chinese about 700 years ago.
To coincide with the exhibition, the Science Museum has also prepared a series of activities for the public and schools. In order to train students' ability of observation and analysis, a Teachers' Activity Sheet is designed for teachers to guide the students in doing fun-filled experiments with the everyday materials. For children aged from eight to ten, there are classes on Fun Science Experiments with the topics of "How to be a Little Detective" and "A Journey to Microscopic World". Besides, there are film shows with "Decision", "Our Talented Brain", "Crimebusters" and "Deadly Deposits" which will be shown for the public without admission charges. For more details, please refer to the newsletter of Science Museum or visit the Science Museum's website at http://www.lcsd.gov.hk/hkscm/.
The admission fee of the "Whodunit?" exhibition is HK$35. On Wednesdays, admission is HK$10. Half-price concession is applicable to full-time students, people with disabilities and senior citizens aged 60 or above.
Hong Kong Science Museum is located at 2 Science Museum Road, Tsim Sha Tsui East, Kowloon. It opens from 1pm to 9pm from Tuesday to Friday and from 10am to 9pm on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. It closes on every Monday (except public holidays). For enquiries, please call 2732 3232.
End/Monday, June 18, 2001
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