TCA students view first hand chemistry laboratories, lectures with Dr. Morgan, and demonstrations in the forensics and mass spectrometer laboratory on Wednesday during a trip to USC and to the Body Worlds' Vital exhibit at The State Museum. Students in Biology I and II, and Chemistry II classes along with Dr. Jessica McCutcheon and Anna Floyd were tremendously pleased with the field trip. Thanks to Mrs. Tammy Cook, Mrs. April Floyd and Mrs. Vickie Parker for accompanying the students as extra chaperones.
Dr. Stephen L Morgan, Professor, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of South Carolina states “forensic analytical chemistry has interested me since the 1980's, and my research group started doing research projects in forensic analytical chemistry in the early 90's. We are involved in developing improved methods of analysis for forensic trace evidence such as textile fibers, drugs of abuse, hair, and polymers (such as adhesive tape and tire rubber). These methods include UV/visible, IR, and Raman microspectrophotometry, and microanalysis of trace fibers by extraction and separations (CE and LC) interfaced to mass spectrometry.”
We visited Dr. Morgan’s laboratory and the mass spectrometer lab as well.(Mass spec. equipment totaling over 3 million dollars) USC has 8 spectrometers, some of which are Leco Pegasus II gas chromatograph with a time-of-flight mass spectrometer, equipped with a laser pyrolysis system developed in-house and a Chemical Data Systems 2000 heated filament Pyroprobe with a CDS model 1500 valved interface.
The Body Worlds Vital exhibit at The State Museum was a fantastic experience for our students. The exhibit celebrates the potential of the human body and the body in motion. Featuring authentic human bodies, the exhibition shows the body in health, distress and disease. These detailed anatomical studies, compositions and representations allow you to gaze at what lies beneath the skin. Students had the opportunity to compare the body regular and the body with disease such as certain cancers, arteriosclerosis, Alzheimer’s, cirrhosis, and stokes. Visit http://www.museum.state.sc.us to learn more about this exciting exhibit and discover what you’re made of!
