Crime Scene House Provides Hands on Lab for Forensic Science Students

The study of forensic science is at the forefront of many popular television programs, prompting a rise in popularity of forensic science degrees. Students traditionally work in classroom and labs, learning about topics such as fingerprinting, crime scene investigations, forensic anthropology and more. Students at Marshall University, however get to take it one step further with the addition an actual "Crime Scene House" that is used in exercises.

The Crime Scene House has brought a lot to the program's courses, including the training session that is taught by law enforcement agencies. Mock crime scenes are set up in a way that gives the trainees hands-on experience in collecting evidence such as DNA, forensic chemistry and digital evidence. The students work on actual crimes that are educational and helpful in solving cases.

Kevin Risk, a graduate from the Forensic Science program and the Crime Scene Investigation Coordinator, said the house brings a tremendous amount of activity to the program.

"Right now we have a FBI training class here with two FBI examiners training people from all over the country. It's basically open to any law enforcement when they need to use it and they contact us," Risk said.

By hosting the law enforcement training courses, the house is getting its name out to people in the forensic science field everywhere. A summer camp for teenagers will be held at the house this week that will be an occasion for potential forensic students to get a head start. They, too, will participate in mock crime scene investigations.

The house has two bathrooms, two living rooms, a dining room and an office that can be set up into mock crime scenes. Another important part of the house is a room dedicated to security where focus is also on watching examiners work on practical tasks. Students also make use of the fingerprint lab and a mock courtroom where they practice being eye witnesses in mock trials.

Earning a degree in forensic science is a basic requirement for entrance in to this kind of work. There are many specialties in this field, and students can choose various areas of concentration. As long as there is crime in our country, there will be a need for forensic science experts.

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