Augusta, Ga. – When most people hear the words “crime scene investigation” or “CSI”, they automatically think of the hit TV series. However, real-life forensic anthropologist Michael “Sonny” Trimble says what you see on television is not a true depiction of the things a CSI agent encounters.

“Having done this a large part of my adult life, the TV shows are kind of silly,” says Dr. Trimble. “You can’t do what they are doing on television, scientifically.”

As part of a project for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Dr. Trimble spent three years in Iraq examining and excavating the mass graves from the 1988 Anfal Campaign—Saddam Hussein’s effort to exterminate the Kurds. His findings were used as key evidence against the former Iraqi dictator during his trial in 2006.

As part of the Augusta State University Life of the Mind Series, Dr. Trimble will discuss his experiences in Iraq. This event will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 19, at 6 p.m. in the Jaguar Student Activities Center Ballroom.

According to Peggy Ruth Geren, chairman of the ASU Life of the Mind Series, this year’s theme, Civic Engagement, focuses on the different ways people are incorporating their concerns for the larger community into their personal lives. Dr. Geren says the work of Dr. Trimble is a great example of how American civilians are assisting the U.S. military in the war on terrorism.

For over 30 years, Dr. Trimble has conducted many excavations to help find justice for those murdered.  Since being employed with the Army Corps of Engineers, Dr. Trimble has traveled to several countries including Rwanda and Bosnia to excavate the graves of victims of genocide and assist U.S. law agencies with their homicide investigations.

His work has been featured in several publications and on major television networks including CNN and the Center for Investigative Reporting.

For more information on this free event, call Danielle Harris, media relations specialist, in ASU’s Office of Public Relations and Publications, at 706-737-1444.

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