These clues, and many others, come to light in the new Forensics Lab in the Department of Criminal Justice Sciences.
Students studying criminal investigations and criminalistics (crime lab techniques) now have a space where they can see the full investigation process of a crime from start to finish. Information gathering and analysis, preservation of evidence, legal issues, and investigative strategies are all taught in the new lab housed in the old Town of Normal fire station on Adelaide Street.
“We are building something here that is at the forefront of forensics education,” said Dr. Bill Lally, visiting professor in Criminal Justice Sciences. “There is not another space like this in the state of Illinois. Having access to these tools is an incredible opportunity for our students.”
“Ninety two percent of our students find jobs in their field,” said Dr. Donna Selman, chair of the Department of Criminal Justice Sciences. “We want to make sure that they have the skills needed to make an incredible impact.”
A student dusts a piece of evidence with cyanoacrylate fuming to find fingerprints. 
A student treats a blank wall with luminol before photographing the fluorescing pattern to find evidence of blood cleaned up. 
A student treats a ransom note with ninhydrin before processing in the heat and humidity chamber to find fingerprints.
To learn more about a degree in Criminal Justice Sciences, visit CriminalJustice.IllinoisState.edu.
