Be a Crime Scene Investigator at Alcatraz East

Alcatraz East Crime Museum, located in Pigeon Forge, will host a special day to celebrate STEM

PIGEON FORGE, Tennessee (November 4, 2022) – Alcatraz East Crime Museum invites the public to be a crime scene investigator for the day in honor of National STEM Day, on November 8, 2022, from 10 am to 4 pm. Among other activities, guests will be able to learn how to collect and examine fingerprint evidence left behind at crime scenes. The STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) activities will be free with a general admission museum ticket purchase.

“Fingerprint collection and examination is fascinating and something you don’t want to miss trying out,” explains Ally Pennington, artifacts and programs manager for Alcatraz East Crime Museum. “Celebrating STEM Day is a great time to put a focus on things like fingerprint collection, which is used regularly in crime scene investigation.”

Guests will find fingerprinting in the spotlight at the museum on STEM day, getting the opportunity to learn about dusting, lifting, and analyzing. They will also be able to determine their own fingerprint patterns. Additional activities that will take place in the museum to celebrate include: 

• A forensic lab will be offered throughout the day, allowing guests to play crime scene investigator and learn about the processes used by professionals in the field.
• A focused display on careers in the field of forensic science and a look into the forensic team responsible for processing serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer’s apartment. 
• Observe the newest artifact in the collection – Jeffrey Dahmer’s prison-issued reading glasses. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), jobs in the STEM field typically have a higher salary than other fields. Those who major in a STEM-related program in college typically earn an average of $101,000 per year, compared to those who don’t, making an average of $87,600 annually. 

There will be STEM-focused activities provided throughout the month of November, including highlighting the CSI occupation. The museum offers various CSI-related programs and labs, including information about blood splatter analysis, deciphering Morse code, personality tests used by law enforcement, observation skills, and more. Those with a crime enthusiast in the family can include programs like these for birthday parties, school groups, scouts, team building or other special events year-round.

The museum has over 100 temporary and permanent exhibits about crime in the country. The museum features information and artifacts about the history of crime, crime scene investigation, consequences of crime, crime-fighting, counterfeit crimes, pop culture, and more. There are numerous popular items on display for people to see, including the famous white Bronco from the O.J. Simpson chase and Ted Bundy’s famous Beetle. 

Alcatraz East Crime Museum has updated its board of crime experts, which includes Derwin Bradley, a retired master police officer, James R. Knight, a crime writer, Robin Maynard, a certified crime scene investigator in Florida, Derek Newport, a law enforcement veteran who was with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation for 20 years, and Judge Belvin Perry, Jr., who presided in the notorious case against Casey Anthony, among others.

This top museum is open at 10 am daily. The last tickets are sold 60 minutes before closing. These interactive experiences are available for birthday parties, school groups, scouts, team building, or other special events for an additional fee. For more information about tickets, discounts, and all the museum offers, visit the site: https://www.alcatrazeast.com.

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About Alcatraz East

Alcatraz East is the most arresting crime museum in the United States. Guests of all ages can encounter a unique journey into the history of American crime, crime-solving, and our justice system. Through interactive exhibits and original artifacts, Alcatraz East is an entertaining and educational experience for all ages – so much fun it’s a crime! This family attraction is located at The Island’s entrance, 2757 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN. The last ticket is sold 60 minutes before closing. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit: www.alcatrazeast.com.