Cedar Crest College will address a critical justice-system need with the creation of an Expert Witness Training Center and Crime Scene Lab. This new initiative, made possible by a $608K grant through the U.S. Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Assistance, will significantly increase the College’s capacity to train forensic science, law enforcement, first-responder professionals, and those who are often asked to provide testimony in court to become effective expert witnesses.
As one of only eight institutions in the country to earn FEPAC (Forensic Science Educational Programs Accreditation Commission) accreditation at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, Cedar Crest is especially equipped to develop this project and tackle the rising demand for professionals in the field.
The Expert Witness Center will consist of simulated crime scenes, scientific labs, and a mock courtroom to prepare experts in managing evidence through the judicial process. The mock courtroom will have a camera and monitoring system for expert witnesses to rehearse and instructors to give live feedback. A conference space will also be added for participants to debrief, gather, and further discuss training scenarios. The crime-scene lab will consist of three rooms modeled after a residential house, namely a re-creation of a living room, bedroom, and kitchen, in which participants can analyze realistic crime scenes.
“The Center will focus on expert witness testimony, which relies on the proper interpretation of data and may be scientific, technical, or specialized,” says Dr. Lawrence Quarino, Director of the Forensic Science program at the College. “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 Crime Scene Lab will enhance learning for the College’s undergraduate and graduate students–as well as forensic science and law enforcement professionals–by providing stimulating learning spaces to investigate and analyze realistic crime scenes. The lab will allow the College to expand program offerings, provide hands-on workshops to local/state police departments, and offer professional continuing education credits.
“Juries and judges increasingly rely on expert testimony and forensic science to reach a verdict in a complex criminal trial,” said Kelly Callihan, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association (PDAA). “We congratulate Cedar Crest College on the creation of the Expert Witness Training Center and Crime Scene Lab, which will train a new generation of law enforcement and forensic experts.”
The Expert Witness Training Center and Crime Scene Lab will be housed in Curtis Hall, with renovation set to begin in the fall and courses starting in Spring 2026. Once established, the space will host monthly trainings and workshops for forensic science and law enforcement professionals led by various field experts. In addition, the College will hire two devoted staff members to lead the Expert Witness Training Center and Crime Scene Lab, developing the space into a premier training center of excellence for law enforcement, crime laboratories, and the legal system at the local and state level–with potential for national and international reach.