Convocations speaker spills 'CSI' secrets

Not every rock 'n' roll drummer ends up as a consultant for a hit television series.

Dr. Gary Telgenhoff is a forensic pathologist and Deputy Medical Examiner at the Clark County Coroner's office in Las Vegas, Nev. by day and a musician by night. He is also a consultant for the original 'CSI' series on CBS.

Introduced as "Dr. T," Telgenhoff entertained a crowd of 120 in Weber State University's Shepherd Union Wildcat Theater with his multimedia presentation exploring the reality behind crime scene investigation.

He said he has always been interested in science and, specifically, anatomy. He spent his spare time as a child reading physiology and anatomy books.

"I knew almost all of my anatomy by the time that I was even out of elementary school," Telgenhoff said.

His fascination with anatomy was the driving force that eventually led him to medical school where he studied with an emphasis in forensic pathology.

"I liked tearing things apart but I didn't like putting them back together," he said. "I didn't care about that so I found the perfect profession for me."

Telgenhoff said he determined to get a day job other than playing the drums. This determination led him through 16 years of college.

He encouraged students to "explore different avenues" when looking for a field of study. He said he didn't really have a plan but tried several things out until he found something he enjoyed.

Upon moving to Las Vegas in 1998 to take a position as the Deputy Medical Examiner for Clark County, Telgenhoff met Anthony Zuiker, a tram driver with aspirations in screenplay writing. Zuiker was interested in Telgenhoff's work and the former drummer began teaching Zuiker about forensic science.

After not talking to Zuiker for a period of time, Telgenhoff was surprised when the man showed up at the coroner's office with a pilot for a new television series about crime scene investigation. Telgenhoff has since spent many nights talking on the phone and e-mailing the writers of 'CSI,' answering questions about crime scene investigation in the real world.

Telgenhoff said that 'CSI' is not true to life. Reality is sacrificed for the storyline, as is the case in all television programs.

He said that real crime scene investigators should be called "collectors of evidence" because their job entails collecting fingerprints, clothing samples, and taking lots of photographs. He mentioned that the television show portrays just about everything that real crime scene investigators don't do, including solving crimes, interviewing witnesses, and running tests.

Telgenhoff said his job description could be summed up in one short sentence: "I see dead people."

He admitted that his job can be gross and depressing but it is also interesting and important. He often talks to grieving families and is glad he can tell them he understands what happened to their loved ones.

"Part of grieving is just not knowing," Telgenhoff said.

He showed the audience pictures from cases he has worked on and asked for guesses as to the cause and manner of death. He was able to keep the mood light, thanks to the self-proclaimed "callous" attitude that he has developed over the years.

WSU sophomore Paul Siddoway said he was surprised at how lighthearted the lecture was.

"Despite its dark nature, the lecture wasn't depressing at all," Siddoway said. "I actually found it entertaining as well as informative."

 

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