Peoria Crime Lab

Yesterday, we got an early start and headed down to the Peoria County Sheriff's Department with the Upward Bound guys. We learned quite a bit about both the operations of a police station, as well as forensic information. Most of the information was about fingerprints and ways to find them, so Thomas probably benefited the most from yesterday. I was surprised by the number of ways to find fingerprints: from changing the lighting to using chemicals. We also got a little information on getting footprints (something interesting called a static lifter) and a little bit on entomology. We even got to hear about how our host and the Peoria Sheriff's Department assisted in the capture of serial killer Larry Bright a few years ago. The most interesting part for me other than that story was the technology they're starting to use. All the on board cameras in the cars are becoming digital and wirelessly transmit their footage onto both a computer and a server in the police department when they pull into the drive into the parking lot. I also liked their use of Adobe Photoshop. It was certainly some interesting stuff.