Leica Geosystems, part of Hexagon, today announced the signing of a sponsorship agreement with the Cranfield Forensic Institute (CFI), part of Â鶹´«Ã½AV, that will fund a specialist Crime Scene House on the University campus. The Crime Scene House is designed to replicate crime scenes and will serve as a controlled setting for practising and enhancing investigation, evidence collection, and forensic analysis skills.

Leica Geosystems has a long history of providing leading solutions for the public safety and forensics segment. “We see the forensics community not just as customers but as a dedicated expert group working to the highest standards in the most challenging circumstances. Our customers seek the minutia of evidential facts that will tell the truth, support the actual course of justice within our Criminal Justice System and Courts, and bring some form of understanding and closure to victims and their families,” says Marcus Rowe, Business Director Public Safety & Forensics, Leica Geosystems UK and Benelux.

Â鶹´«Ã½AV has a strong heritage in postgraduate education, industry collaboration and research in forensics. In 2021 the University opened a £7.2 million centre of excellence with the latest forensic equipment, a mortuary, expert academic staff and innovative courses in the fields of crime scene investigation, digital forensics investigation and forensic materials analysis. The new Crime Scene House – opening in Autumn 2023 on the Cranfield campus in Bedfordshire (UK) – adds to CFI’s suite of world-class resources and expertise for its students and research staff in a range of specialities.

Dr Hannah Moore, Director of the MSc Forensic Programme at Cranfield University welcomed the new development: “As a University we are advancing the field of forensics and developing the next generations of forensic scientists. Leica’s generous sponsorship of the Crime Scene House brings a fantastic new facility for our students, research staff and partners. Providing realistic scenario-based training is vital for those who aspire to advance their careers in CSI and forensic fields – and this new facility complements our suite of world-class teaching resources – giving students a superb grounding in many aspects of this field.”

“We are proud and honoured to be part of this significant moment in the field of forensic academia and are committed to fostering a strong partnership with Cranfield Forensic Institute and the extended community, providing extensive domain expertise and time along with financial support to enhance this transformative learning experience further,” says John Fraser, Leica Geosystems (part of Hexagon) President UK, Ireland and Benelux.

Leica Geosystems supports the forensics community through various initiatives, including a free, multiday brand-agnostic UK/Benelux Annual Forensic Conference with global guest speakers, the long-standing primary sponsorship of the Institute of Traffic Accident Investigators and their successful and influential annual ITAI Crash and Research Day.