Wednesday, August 6, 2008

The Real CSI

I recently had an opportunity to tour the brand new Phoenix Police Department crime lab. It was a fascinating tour conducted in their brand new building with state of the art features. (No, it’s absolutely nothing like you see on any of the CSI television shows.) I was very impressed by the art work that was hanging in the lobby of the building. The piece is called “Pattern Recognition” and it was created by artists Ralph Helmick and Stuart Schechter. It is actually a large chandelier that pays homage to forensic science. It is composed of steel rods and laboratory clamps holding together glass beakers, flasks, test tubes, magnifying glasses and other tools of the forensic trade. Interspersed throughout the piece are clues to crime-solving, including molecular models of drugs, fingerprints, DNA strands, tire tracks, handwriting samples, and other references to police work. The piece is 10 feet wide and 18 feet tall and illuminated with long-lasting LED lights. This small picture doesn’t do it justice. Click on the photo to get a better look.

4 comments:

Kate said...

What an interesting and fascinating piece of art!!

Dave-CostaRicaDailyPhoto.com said...

Very creative art. Thank you for sharing it with all of us who do not have any occasion to go into the police crime lab building.

I hope that they do not use the same approach when decorating the buildings containing the medical examiner or morgue.

Unknown said...

That is a very clever piece. I bet it gets a lot of looks, once people realize what it is.

Jan said...

How'd you get in?? You aren't a suspect are you? (just kidding)
I wanted to see the inside, But I've only see the New County Medical Examiners Building. :(
I feel sad now. :(