Utica University is putting the final touches on the new Crime Scene Lab in Bull Hall on campus. According to President Todd Pfannestiel, the lab is being finished this spring semester and will be available to use in the summer.

Before the grand opening this summer, the university launched three experimental one credit courses this semester taking place in the new Crime Scene Lab, Criminal Justice Professor Musco Millner said. 

“This innovative new facility will provide state-of-the-art, experience-based learning in incident response, involving students across a range of disciplines, including criminal justice, nursing, biology, chemistry, and theatre,” Pfannestiel said.

This new Crime Scene Lab will allow for more hands-on learning and allow students to experience real life scenarios in the classroom. The three experimental classes offered this semester are Grasping Fingerprints, Exposure to Bloodstain Patterns and Confessions of a Crime Scene, according to Millner.

“The theory behind the Crime Scene Room is to create excitement by providing a hands-on, immersive experience where students can actively engage in solving a mystery, applying their knowledge of the material presented, and feeling as if they are part of a true investigation, which often involves elements of suspense, puzzle-solving, and the thrill of uncovering clues to identify a perpetrator,” Millner said.

Many criminal justice students on campus are highly anticipating the grand opening of the new Crime Scene Lab. 

Sophomore Victoria DuVerge said she is excited for the hands-on experience.

“Many people learn better that way, so it’ll be very beneficial to students,” DuVerge said.

Another sophomore, Liv Leider, said she looks forward to having classes in the new lab and “actually be able to walk around and problem solve real-life scenarios.”

According to Pfannestiel, this new addition was funded by the FY 2023 Federal Omnibus Appropriations Bill, also known as the Omnibus Spending Package from the U.S. Government. Along with the new bill, private and foundation donors also chipped in to help pay for some furnishing in the building and important IT support.

He added: “This funding was made possible through the support of Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand and Representative Claudia Tenney, to whom we are very grateful.”