MENIFEE -- Television shows such as "CSI" and "Bones" have shined a spotlight of forensics and forensic anthropology.

But actual cases aren't neatly sewed up in 60 minutes -- or 48, not counting commercials.

Those who want to get a firsthand look at how a forensic anthropologist works can take a five-day course starting Monday at the Western Center for Archaeology & Paleontology in Hemet.

It will be led by Erik Ozolins, associate professor and chair of the anthropology department at Mt. San Jacinto College's Menifee campus.

"After the O.J. Simpson (murder) case, people started to get interested in everything to do with forensics, and forensic anthropology is part of that," Ozolins said.

In the course, which is open to anyone 15 or older, participants will learn about the purpose of forensic anthropology, how to determine the age, gender and ancestry from human remains and the signs of injury.

Ozolins, 36, also will talk about cases on which he has worked.

While the instructor said the class will be hands-on, students will not be working with any living, or formerly living, subjects. He will bring realistic-looking plastic skulls and bones for students to "investigate."

Ozolins said the course at the museum will be a lighter version of the semester-long course he teachers at MSJC, touching on the major topics.

"People aren't entirely certain what forensic anthropologists can and cannot do," Ozolins said.

They are often called to crime scenes when bodies or remains are discovered. Ozolins said an anthropologist can often discover the gender, size and race from remains, as well as the potential cause of death.

"It's an amazing thing that we can end up telling as much about a person as we can," Ozolins said. "In some cases, we may be able to know things about an individual that the individual may not have known about themselves."

Ozolins said forensics pathologists can note small differences in a skeleton -- such as the shape of the brow or width of the pelvis -- that will be a clue to one's gender and race.

"If you know what you're looking for, it becomes fairly obvious," he said.

Ozolins admits the profession is not for the squeamish.

"There's a lot of very icky factor," he said, citing body decomposition, bugs and a horrid smell that can accompany dead bodies that is hard to forget.

Ozolins, who has worked at MSJC for six years, said he developed an interest in anthropology after taking a course in his first semester at Fort Lewis College in Colorado.

While he didn't consider the career as a youngster, Ozolins, who grew up in Switzerland while his father worked for the World Health Organization, said he was always interested in puzzles and solving things.

He points out that he is not a forensic anthropologist, but he worked with many while working on his master's degree at the University of New Mexico.

Like any person who sees their profession depicted on television, Ozolins scoffs at some of the things he sees on crime-solving shows.

"For the most part, it's off-base," he said. "But nobody would watch what a forensic pathologist really does day in and day out. It's nowhere near as glamourous as portrayed, but it definitely has brought an interest to the field."

Call staff writer Craig Shultz at 951-676-4315, ext. 2625.

Forensic anthropology class

- When: 1 to 4 p.m. July 13 to 17

- Where: Western Center for Archaeology & Paleontology, 2345 Searl Parkway, Hemet

- How much: $99 for museum members, $119 for others.

- Information: www.westerncentermuseum.org or 951-791-0033