Â鶹´«Ã½AV has developed a highly specialised Leica Geosystems Cranfield House and crime scene rooms as part of its forensic science training. These facilities are designed to replicate real crime scenes, offering a controlled environment where students can practice investigation techniques, evidence collection, and forensic analysis.
Â鶹´«Ã½AV collaborates closely with industry partners, including , part of Hexagon, which sponsored the development of the Crime Scene House. This partnership enhances the training environment for students by integrating Leica’s state-of-the-art forensic technologies, which are widely used in public safety and forensics.
These collaborations and facilities not only prepare students for the workforce but also connect them to industry professionals, offering networking opportunities and career development support in forensic science fields.
Summary of applications
- Crime Scene Investigation: Students practice evidence collection, scene recording, and analysis techniques. This is vital for modules such as Forensic Archaeology and Anthropology and Forensic Biology, where the focus is on excavation, evidence recovery, and the forensic analysis of buried remains.
- Courtroom Skills: The facilities are used to train students in collection of forensic evidence to present in a legal environment, linking crime scene investigation with courtroom practices. Students gain experience in preparing expert witness reports and defending their findings under cross-examination.
- Digital and Physical Forensic Analysis: Students analyse forensic evidence using advanced techniques, such as fingerprint identification and blood spatter interpretation, within a controlled crime scene environment. This hands-on training is crucial for modules that focus on both physical and digital forensic investigation.
Using the facility
We have seen the use of the facilities used across the spectrum of our forensic offering at CFI and it is regularly used by staff, students and external partners for research and practical setting simulations.
The facilities have benefitted from being used for areas such as;
- Forensic Biology Investigation
- Crime Scene Investigation
- Forensic Scanning and Photography
- Bloodstain Pattern Analysis
- Police Investigation training
The Leica Geosystems Cranfield House was reported on by the BBC - Dr Hannah Moore explained the benefits of the facility
You can read that story
Using the facilities
Please email any enquiries about using the facilities to forensics@cranfield.ac.uk.
All users of any of these facilities must have a safety induction to the CFI laboratory, and all visitors must be accompanied.
For commercial clients, we strongly recommend prospective users to undertake a short investigation, to assess their application’s viability, before committing to a significant work programme. Pricing is available on request.
