University of Wisconsin-Platteville students, faculty and staff and Platteville community members helped solve a simulated crime at the ninth annual Horrific Crime Scene Revisited event held recently at Rountree Gallery in Platteville.
The purpose of the collaborative event, sponsored by the Criminal Justice Association, a student organization at UW-Platteville, and Rountree Gallery, was to provide an experience for attendees to walk through a crime scene while looking for clues to determine what occurred and to experience some of the situations that current forensics and criminal justice students are, and will be, exposed to in their courses and future careers.
The learning experience featured the highly-anticipated “The Death of Fashion,” an exclusive pop-up art exhibition of work by LZADA, a local Platteville artist.
The exhibit included multiple murder victims, potential murder weapons and various clues, all of which could have directed those who participated to the true identity of the killer.
“What I enjoyed most about creating this event was the ability to work with various community members,” said Erin Prusha, a senior chemistry and forensic investigation major from Slinger, Wisconsin. “A lot of planning took place and without the help of Rountree Gallery staff, members of the Department of Criminal Justice and other Platteville community members, this event would not have been possible.”
“It is always fun to work with the forensic liaison from the Criminal Justice Association to re-create a crime scene from a famous serial killer’s case,” said Tim Juedes, lecturer of forensic investigation at UW-Platteville. “However, this year, we were able to create our own crime scene. It was a pleasure to work with Erin and hear her talk about and incorporate concepts that we teach our students in courses we offer.”