SCIENCE IS NOW A CRIMINAL'S BIGGEST FEAR

1/27/10
By SHARON FELKER and SHANNON WOODWORTH - Shawnee News Service

ULLIN - There was a time when the only thing a criminal feared was a law enforcer's gun. But those days are gone - and as strange it at may sound - law enforcement's greatest weapon may be the microscope.

Shawnee Community College students today learned about the power of science from a duo of law enforcement officers credited with solving some of the region's most notorious crimes.

Paul Echols, a retired Carbondale crime fighter and SCC criminal justice instructor, invited Glenn Schubert, a 25-year veteran of the Illinois State Police, to speak at the college today. Between Echols and Schubert there are decades of forensic science experience. And during their storied careers, a long list of terrible criminals have been placed behind bars.

Echols introduced Schubert to a number of students gathered inside the college's Educational Center. Taking center stage, Schubert used a jaw dropping PowerPoint presentation to keep students' interest. He also explained how science has become a law enforcer's best friend. Schubert is currently the senior analyst in the Forensic Microscopy section at the Southern Illinois Forensic Science Centre in Carbondale, the third largest crime laboratory system in the world.

Schubert's presentation appealed to the audience using real-life crime scene information, photos, and statistics. Although there are similarities between the popular TV shows such as CSI and NCIS, Schubert was quick to point out that "real-life cases take more than an hour to solve, sometimes days and even years."

Criminal justice degree students along with other SCC students, faculty, and staff were among those to hear Schubert's inside scoop on forensic microscopy, a spin-off of trace evidence science of forensics. His multi-faceted presentation included slide comparisons of cases involving hairs, fibers, wood, building materials, and even duct tape case file examples.

Schubert explained the forensics behind auto air bag deployment evidence, documenting how examination of clothing, the vehicle, and the suspected driver can confirm an individual's position within a crashed vehicle. His expertise in this forensic component has earned him the national recognition.

He has worked on more than 400 homicide investigations throughout the state, and numerous sexual assaults, kidnappings, burglaries, robberies and hit-and-run cases. He has testified in court nearly 100 times, including in the trial of the "Railroad Killer" Angel Resendez in Houston, Texas in 2000.

Schubert is a past-president of the Midwestern Association of Forensic Scientists, which is the largest regional forensic association in the country. His articles have been published in forensic journals and he has appeared on TV episodes of "Forensic Files," "Cold Case Files," and "Women Behind Bars." Schubert holds a Bachelor of Science degree in biological studies and encouraged the students to investigate the various forensic career options.

Serious criminal justice students were inspired by the presentation and by having both Schubert and Echols - is nationally recognized for his use of forensic technologies to solve decades-old murder cases - on the same stage.

webpage with a friend via e-mail or text message.