Forensics Crime Scene Facility

Trent University’s Forensics Crime Facility is the first-of-its-kind professional forensics training building constructed on a Canadian university campus.

The 4,100 square-foot building is home to unique spaces and equipment that pioneer approaches to teach and explore forensic science methodology. Building upon a decade of teaching and practical learning in Trent’s former Crime Scene House, the new facility has not only spaces for staging crime scenes, but also facilities for analyzing evidence and exhibits, and a classroom for reviewing and evaluating student performance.

The Learning Features

Forensic Science students and related practitioners can gain first-hand experience applying leading skills and techniques in crime scene investigation in the Forensic Crime Scene Facility.

Large modular space

Get experience working on a range of crime scene scenarios in this controlled environment with moveable walls allowing professors and practitioners to stage up to eight crime scenes at one time, and many different types of crime scenes over time.

Cameras

Cameras installed in the crime scene spaces are used to record a students’ analysis, giving instructors the opportunity to review footage with students and discuss their strengths in crime scene investigation and areas of improvement.

An adjacent, on-site lab space

The Forensic Facility has dedicated space equipped with modern instrumentation to process and analyze evidence collected at a staged crime scene and minimize cross-contamination in transport. Having a lab on site means almost the entire investigation process can be done in one place.

Garage lab

Cars are involved in the majority of crimes, meaning that analysis and investigations of vehicles is an important skillset for forensic experts to have. The garage space offers students opportunities to complete vehicle analyses.

Outdoor staging space

Collecting evidence outdoors is different than collecting evidence indoors. The outdoor space offers students the opportunity to develop their skills in evidence collection from different substrates (e.g. mud, gravel, sand).

Mentorship

As a leading training space, the Forensic Crime Scene Facility gives students the opportunity to learn alongside expert professors and professional practitioners in Trent’s leading Forensic Science programs.

Four forensics students in protective gear examine a hammer left at a mock crime scene.

The Sustainability Features

Trent’s Forensic Crime Scene Facility combines Trent’s renowned forensics leadership with its reputation as one of Canada’s top environmental teaching and research universities. The Forensic Facility aims to be Canada’s first zero-carbon building certified by the International Living Future Institute. It is green from the ground up, made of environmentally friendly construction materials and energy sources.

The Forensic Crime Scene Facility has:

Solar-powered roof panels to heat, cool, and power the facility to achieve Net Zero energy
Canadian carbon-storing materials:
Hemp blocks from Albertan company Just Biofibre used to make the exterior structure
Hemp batt insulation made in Quebec by Nature Fibers to be used for internal structure of the building
Cellulose roof insulation made here in Ontario
Charred wood siding from locally harvested wood
Glavel under-floor insulation

Three forensics students in protective gear conduct tests on a car inside the Forensic Crime Scene Facility garage.

Bringing the Forensic Crime Scene Facility to life

Trent worked with a handful of partners on the project who pioneer sustainable building practices in Canada. Trent worked with:

Endeavour Centre: Chris Magwood ’85 is a director at the Endeavour Centre, and a two-time Trent alumnus who recently completed his Master of Sustainability Studies at Trent where his research revealed the carbon footprint of common construction practices and materials and identified sustainable alternatives.
Christopher Z. Tworkowski, Architect
Zon Engineering Inc., Mechanical, Solar, Net Zero
Building Alternatives Inc., Structural
Berthelot Engineering Ltd., Electrical

The project was made possible by the legacy gift from former Board of Governors chair, the late Jalynn Bennett. In 2018, the Jalynn H. Bennett Foundation donated $1.13 million to Trent, one of the largest legacy gifts in the University’s history. The new Forensics Crime Scene Facility is part of the Jalynn H. Bennett Trent Lands Enhancement Project, which funds projects that will enhance Trent’s natural setting, advance academic excellence, increase engagement with the local and First Nations communities, and enrich the student experience.