November 22, 2002

The Science Behind the Crime Scene
William H. Wilson, Director
Cook County Sheriff's Police Forensic Laboratory
Maywood, Illinois

This month's presentation was a slight departure from the usual microscopical fare. Bill discussed aspects of and showed slides about actual crime scene investigations, some of which were considered from slightly to very graphic in nature. Several forensic science disciplines in addition to microscopy were utilized to reach conclusions in these cases, and Bill presented the step-by-step procedures that he and others used to draw their conclusions. Attendees saw how, in addition to "hard science" principles, the "science of common sense" is applied in investigations and how a methodical pattern in thinking will usually result in a logical solution. The squeamish are forewarned.

Bio Sketch

Bill received his Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from Michigan State University in 1976, studying under Ralph Turner, and earned a Masters in Forensic Science from George Washington University in 1979. He has worked at the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation (Richfield and Fremont laboratories), the Wisconsin State Crime Laboratory in Milwaukee, and the Northern Illinois Police Crime Laboratory in Highland Park. His training has included Firearms Identification, Gunshot Residue Detection, Trace Evidence Analysis, Forensic Serology, Crime Scene Investigation, Bloodstain Pattern Analysis, and Photography. He also had the unique opportunity to work with Skip Palenik at Microtrace from 1997-2001, analyzing a vast array of evidence from around the world. He considered this to be an excellent education in many aspects, scientifically and otherwise. Bill was hired to be the laboratory director of the newly created Cook County Sheriff's Police Forensic Laboratory in 2001, which conducts analyses on and identifies controlled substances.

When he is not busy at home with his wife Judy and chauffeuring 15-year-old son Billy and 12-year-old daughter Katie to various activities, Bill enjoys sports of all types, collecting old forensic science books and comic books, and listening to classic rock music. He is also active in various volunteer and church-related activities.

SMSI Minutes of 22 Nov 2002

Pre-meeting activities included showing of a JFK program on the assassination which included the Zapruder film that Joe Barabe worked on.

With a droll sense of humor that one finds in oncology journals (where humor is a necessary defense against human indignity), William Wilson presented graphic photos of three homicides and one possible accidental death in a form of clues derived from blood splatter patterns, blood flow and smear, and gunshot residue. The surface tension of blood makes round drops at right angles. Oval drops indicate the angle of hitting and the drop's tail indicates direction.

Items of related interest:

The Anatomy of Motive : The FBI's Legendary Mindhunter Explores the Key to Understanding and Catching Violent Criminals — by John E. Douglas, Mark Olshaker; Mass Market Paperback

Respectfully submitted, Stan Schmidt, Recording Secretary