Skip to main content
Add as a preferred source on Google

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

  • Building Beyond Simulation: Creating Immersive Ecosystems for Healthcare Education

    Health sciences education is one of the fastest-growing facility types in colleges and universities. The demand for medical, nursing, and allied health professionals is driving the creation and renovation of medical simulation training facilities that provide students with real-world experience through advanced simulation-based learning.

  • Q&A: How to Prevent Kitchen Grease Fires in Commercial Kitchens

    School cafeterias and university dining halls serve thousands of meals daily, relying on high-heat equipment like fryers, grills, and ovens. While these operations keep students fed, they also generate significant grease-laden vapors. Without proper controls, this grease becomes a silent fire threat. As a certified exhaust cleaning specialist and business coach who has helped hundreds of institutional facilities achieve NFPA 96 compliance, I emphasize that proactive grease management isn’t optional; it’s a core fire/life safety practice.

  • Washington State University Debuts New Engineering Hall

    Washington State University recently celebrated a dedication ceremony for the new Schweitzer Engineering Hall on its Pullman campus in Pullman, Wash., according to university news. The facility measures 66,288 square feet, and its completion marks the first milestone in a larger university effort to modernize the engineering and design district.

  • Back-to-School Playground Safety: 7 Common Hazards to Look for After Summer Break

    As summer break comes to an end, school administrators have plenty to prepare before students return. While classrooms, hallways and common areas often receive attention during all the back-to-school preparations, the playground should not be overlooked. Months of weather exposure, storms, and regular wear can leave behind hazards that may not be immediately noticeable.