National Museum of Crime and Punishment facts for kids
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Established | May 23, 2008 |
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Dissolved | September 30, 2015 |
Location | 575 7th Street NW Washington, DC |
The National Museum of Crime and Punishment, often called the Crime Museum, was a special museum in Washington, D.C.. It focused on the history of crime and how justice systems worked in the United States. The museum was located in the Penn Quarter area.
The Crime Museum opened in May 2008. It was different from many museums in Washington, D.C. because it was a private business. The museum closed its doors in September 2015. Today, a similar museum called Alcatraz East operates in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.
The museum had over 700 items on display. These items showed the history of crime and its effects in America. They also explored how crime was shown in American movies and TV shows. The museum featured exhibits about pirates, famous outlaws from the Wild West, and gangsters. It also had displays on white-collar criminals, who commit financial crimes.
Visitors could try out 28 interactive activities. These included police chase simulators, like those used to train police officers. There was also a shooting simulator, similar to what the FBI uses for training.
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Exploring the Museum's Exhibits
The Crime Museum offered many interesting exhibits. These displays helped visitors learn about different parts of crime and law enforcement history.
Solving a Crime Scene Mystery
The main floor of the museum had a pretend crime scene. It looked like a simulated murder had happened. Visitors could try to solve the crime using forensic science techniques. This included looking at things like ballistics (how bullets fly), blood analysis, and fingerprints. You could also learn about foot printing and how experts reconstruct faces.
Inside a Police Station and Jail
The museum also had a mock police station. It included a booking room, where suspects are processed. You could see mug shots of famous people and try a police line-up. There was even a lie detector test to try. The museum also showed art made by prisoners and tools they used to try to escape. A re-creation of Al Capone's jail cell was also on display.
Learning About Law Enforcement Heroes
A special gallery honored crime fighters. It featured important figures like J. Edgar Hoover, the first director of the FBI. Another famous agent, Eliot Ness, was also highlighted. This area showed uniforms, firearms, and equipment used by law enforcement officers. You could also learn about bomb squads and night vision technology.
America's Most Wanted Studio
For a while, the museum was home to the TV studio for America's Most Wanted. This popular show ran for many years, from 1988 to 2013. It showed dramatized versions of unsolved crimes. The TV program helped catch over 1,000 people who were trying to escape justice. This happened because people watching the show called in with tips.
When the show started filming in different locations, the studio became an interactive exhibit. Visitors could then try to solve a pretend crime themselves. Near the studio, there were exhibits about the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. You could also see information about McGruff the Crime Dog, who teaches kids about safety. There was even a station to get digital fingerprints for children.
Museum Highlights for Visitors
The Crime Museum had many popular attractions that visitors enjoyed.
- CSI Lab: Step into a crime scene and use clues to solve a case.
- FBI Agent Training: Practice your aiming skills in a simulated FBI shooting range.
- High-Speed Police Simulator: Experience a police academy training pursuit.
- Authentic Artifacts: See real items like a police electric chair, prison art, and jail cells.
- Notorious Criminals: Learn about legendary pirates, the mob, and Wild West outlaws.
- Digital Fingerprinting for Children: Get your own fingerprint ID card.
- America's Most Wanted Stage Set: See the actual TV studio and interact with John Walsh's exhibit.