GWYNEDD VALLEY, PA — Gwynedd Mercy University (GMercyU) has opened a new Crime Scene House (CSH) on campus, providing criminal justice students with a hands-on training facility designed to simulate real-world investigative scenarios. The three-story home will also serve as a resource for local law enforcement, offering space for professional development and training.
The CSH has been transformed into a fully functional simulation lab where students practice every stage of a criminal investigation, from initial entry to securing the scene. Working in teams, they collect evidence, conduct interrogations, serve warrants, and manage complex cases under conditions designed to mirror real-world investigations.
“This Crime Scene House gives our students the unique opportunity to prepare for the realities of criminal investigation,” said Dr. Patrick McGrain, associate professor and program director of criminal justice at GMercyU. “By engaging directly with scenarios in real time, they develop the critical analysis tools and technical skills needed to make a meaningful impact from the start of their careers.”
The facility features multiple staged rooms, each designed to replicate distinct investigative encounters, including homicide, sexual assault, and drug-related cases. Among its key elements are:
- A kitchen, bathroom, two bedrooms, and an office
- A simulated “flophouse” representing low-rent motels used for drug activity
- An interrogation room and a blood spatter analysis area
- An evidence lab where students analyze fingerprints and conduct forensic testing
Cameras throughout the house allow professors to monitor student performance and deliver immediate feedback to improve investigative techniques.
Outside the home, the CSH includes a crime scene automobile designed to train students in vehicle-based evidence collection, such as tire tread analysis, fingerprinting interiors, and uncovering hidden compartments.
The new facility will support at least seven courses within the criminal justice curriculum, including Forensics: CSI, Criminal Investigations, Criminal Procedures, Police and Law Enforcement, Victimology, Juvenile Delinquency, and Sexual Deviance.
Beyond student training, GMercyU plans to leverage the CSH as a resource for local law enforcement agencies, expanding its use for professional development programs and community partnerships. The university said the initiative underscores its commitment to preparing graduates with the skills required to succeed in modern investigative careers while strengthening collaboration with public safety professionals.
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