CSI

Welcome to the Cemetery Scene Investigators (CSI) WebQuest!

www.geolit.org

Everything ages, especially monuments built by man! Depending on how long ago it was established, your local cemetery headstones, monuments, and important site buildings are aging. As these primary source documents age important information may be disappearing if no one is maintaining it. Considering this potential loss, we ask an important question:

Why is the preservation of local cemeteries important?

As part of the Cemetery Scene Investigators your team will investigate the disappearance of valuable information in your local cemetery.

Is it a crime? Is it due to erosion, weathering, vandalism, and general neglect or….? This case now involves hundreds of investigation units across the country. Documentation is essential.

This is where your group of Cemetery Scene Investigators (CSI) comes in! Your CSI Team will become scientific and historic investigators by investigating not only the headstones, the stories of those buried, the flora, fauna, (bugs included), but also the geology, topography, architecture and cemetery layout.

There are two levels of the CSI WebQuest to choose from:

Your first step is to choose at which what level to enter the CSI investigation.

AMATEUR: The amateur investigation level includes a basic analysis of the cemetery scene with a focus on the headstones, not the entire cemetery scene. The AMATEUR CSI investigator will conduct a study of the headstones in a specific region of the cemetery. The AMATEUR CSI Investigator will analyze the headstones in a variety of formats. The AMATEUR CSI Investigator will create a webpage or multimedia presentation with a thorough analysis of the headstones, not the entire cemetery scene. If the cemetery is neglected, overgrown, or otherwise showing aging that might be able to be prevented, you will create an action plan for preserving or restoring the cemetery.

EXPERT: The expert investigation level includes an in depth analysis of the cemetery scene, not just the headstones. You use more equipment and conduct a comprehensive study of the history and science involved in the aging of the cemetery. The EXPERT CSI Investigator is involved in the study to the level of becoming an expert through study, questioning, discussion, examination, and making comparisons. You will create a webpage or multimedia presentation with a thorough analysis of the cemetery scene, not just the headstones. If the cemetery is neglected, overgrown, or otherwise showing aging that might be able to be prevented, you will create an action plan for preserving or restoring the cemetery.