New Crime Scene Lab to provide students with state-of-the-art, hands-on learning in incident response

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New Crime Scene Lab to provide students with state-of-the-art, hands-on learning in incident response

Rendering of the outside of Bull Hall following the construction of a state-of-the-art Crime Scene Lab.

"...this important investment in law enforcement education which will benefit current and future Utica University students for generations to come."

A rendering of Bull Hall's future Crime Lab Expansion.

Utica University continues to take its students into the future with the announced construction of an expanded, multidisciplinary Crime Scene Lab in Bull Hall, the principal home of Justice Studies programs on the institution’s Burrstone Campus.

The project takes shape with the help of $717,000 via the Fiscal Year 2023 Federal Omnibus Appropriations Bill, also known as the Omnibus Spending Package.

This innovative new facility will provide a state-of-the-art forum for experience-based learning in incident response, involving students across a range of disciplines, including criminal justice, nursing, biology, chemistry, and theatre. It will also offer opportunities for emergency response training and simulation exercises, which will enable Utica to graduate more work-force ready students with proficiency in skills needed in real world industry and employer environments.

Additionally, the Crime Scene Lab will increase Utica’s ability to recruit new students to Justice Studies programs and enable the University to directly partner with governmental and non-governmental agencies and organizations to provide training and professional development opportunities.

“We are extremely grateful to Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand and Representative Claudia Tenney for their efforts in securing the funding for this important investment in law enforcement education which will benefit current and future Utica University students for generations to come,” said Utica University President Laura Casamento.

The proposed 1,200 square foot crime laboratory will provide an open floor plan space that will support a full-range of crime scene investigation activities. Faculty members will be able to develop and stage crime scenes in a space that can be secured and remain undisturbed for indefinite periods of time while the flexible open floor design will provide room for multiple related or unrelated crime scenes, and/or additional room for teaching or observation.

Additionally, a large open bay-style door will enable faculty to bring in different furniture, small vehicles, and natural or organic materials so that a wide variety of scenes can be set.