Try your crime fighting skills at the National Museum of Crime and Punishment

The national museum of crime and punishment has now been open for about a month and I am itching to go. The museum has been called a “must see for any CSI fan” and has been given 4 ½ (of 5) stars by The Washington Post. I have watched my share of the three CSI shows and admit to an unhealthy addiction to Law and Order and crime novels—if you can count this addiction a hobby it would certainly be among mine. Therefore, you can imagine my reaction when I graduated from the “college bubble” and returned home to find that a museum has been dedicated to my shameless hobby. It may now even be considered “culture”. Unfortunately I won’t have time to make it there this weekend, but I hope some of you can make the trip.

The museum pays tribute to law enforcement officers and has 5 main exhibits including: A Notorious History of American Crime, Punishment: The Consequence of Crime, Crime Fighting, The CSI Experience, and America’s Most Wanted: John Walsh’s Personal Story. Among these exhibits, young and old can view artifacts such as Al Capone’s jail cell, real cold case profiles, Americas most wanted list, J. Edgar Hoover’s badge and boxing gloves, and examples of capital punishment methods throughout time including the Guillotine and the Electric Chair, among others. However, many people may find the excitement in the interactive sections of each exhibit which allow museum-goers to engage in many activities including passing (or failing) a lie detector test, simulating high speed car chases, shooting at a simulated FBI shooting range, or trying to crack a safe. You can even get your children’s fingerprints taken and stored for their protection.

Tickets cost $17.95 for adults, $14.95 for children (5-11), seniors (60+), military and law enforcement, and $5 for children under 5. The museum is located at 575 7th St. NW between E and F Streets, right near the Gallery Place/Chinatown metrostop and across from the Verizon Center.

For more information, please visit: http://www.crimemuseum.org/index.html