Forensic lab enables students to investigate crime

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The forensics lab inside the new CHBS building at Radford University.

The primary focus for students and faculty this semester is to unlock the potential that having a forensic lab brings, as the new College of Humanities and Behavioral Sciences (CHBS) features a forensic lab among its learning spaces.

Inside, the lab puts professional equipment – which is consistent with what police agencies both deploy and utilize on a regular basis – into the hand of the student.

The professional equipment allows Criminal Justice students to practice what they read in their textbooks and learn from Criminal Justice faculty.

“Having an investigative lab space allows classes to incorporate lab exercises to allow students to put investigative theory to practice,” said Criminal Justice Professor Steve Owen. “It also gives students and faculty a space in which engaging lab-based learning experiences can be structured. Many of these experiences require equipment and space to use it, which the lab provides.”

A goal for the learning space inside of the CHBS building is to engage the surrounding community.

“We have also discussed having crime scene competitions for criminal justice student organizations and potentially for high school students studying criminal justice,” Owen said.

Involving the local community is something that will happen over time, Owen said.

Aug 24, 2016
Max Esterhuizen
(540) 831-7749
westerhuizen@radford.edu