Cedar Crest College to Build Criminal Justice Facility

  • By Matt Jones
  • 02/20/25

Cedar Crest College recently announced it will create a new Expert Witness Training Center and Crime Scene Lab for its campus in Allentown, Pa., according to a news release. The college is one of eight in the country to have earned Forensic Science Educational Programs Accreditation Commission (FEPAC) accreditation for its undergraduate and graduate programs. Funding comes through a $608K grant from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Assistance, the news release reports.

The facility will serve students in forensic science, law enforcement, and first response, as well as individuals asked to provide testimony in court. The Expert Witness Center will contain simulated crime scenes, lab space, and a mock courtroom featuring a camera and live monitoring system. Meanwhile, the crime scene lab will feature three spaces resembling a residential house’s bedroom, kitchen, and living room so that students can practice analyzing crime scenes, according to the news release.

“The Center will focus on expert witness testimony, which relies on the proper interpretation of data and may be scientific, technical, or specialized,” said Dr. Lawrence Quarino, director of the college’s forensic science program. “Training will support students in understanding how they say something is often as important as what they say-that phrases or terms that they understand as professionals may not be understood by jurors. In addition, the Center will provide testimony training to personnel in a variety of fields including law enforcement, first responders, and social workers on how to provide a court of law with clear, concise, and meaningful testimony.”

The facilities will be located in Curtis Hall. Renovations are scheduled to begin in fall 2025, and courses should start in spring 2026, the news release reports.

About the Author

Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. He can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • Electrifying Bus Fleets

    Now is an excellent time for K-12 “yellow” school buses, college campus transportation, and public transit systems to transition to zero-emission electric buses instead of traditional gas or diesel-powered models.

  • Case Systems makerspace

    Case Systems Launches Line of K–12 Learning Spaces Installations

    Case Systems recently announced the launch of SALTO, a line of classroom fixtures and installations for K–12 learning spaces like STEM labs, art rooms, and makerspaces, according to a news release. The product line is designed to provide teachers with flexibility and adaptability, enabling them to shift between collaborative and individual learning environments.

  • Massachusetts Charter School Opens New Academic Building

    The Advanced Math and Science Academy Charter School (AMSA) in Marlborough, Mass., recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new academic building, according to a news release. The 17,000-square-foot space will serve as a classroom and science lab building for the student population of almost a thousand in grades 6–12.

  • zSpace Imagine Learning Solution

    zSpace Introduces Headset-Free AR/VR System

    Immersive learning company zSpace has debuted the zSpace Imagine Learning Solution, a headset-free AR/VR laptop system designed for elementary education. The all-in-one platform integrates hardware, software, and hands-on lessons to create dynamic learning experiences for young students.