Fullerton College Open House showcases Crime Scene Investigation and Precision Manufacturing Programs

Ever watch CSI Miami, NCIS, or Cold Case and think, “Hey, that looks like a great career?” Great news: you can train to be a CSI Investigator right here at Fullerton College (FC)! FC even has a “Crime Scene Lab” where you’ll learn to collect, document, and preserve evidence from crime scenes to help solve crimes!

Fullerton College showcased its Crime Scene Investigation Lab, part of its CSI Certificate programs, at an open house on October 24. It also showcased its Precision Manufacturing Skills program, which features training on cutting-edge measurement and scanning tools.

Representatives from Hexagon AB Corporation were on hand to demonstrate their LIDAR 3D mapping tools, which can quickly scan and create a color 3D Augmented reality model of a crime scene, frozen in time for investigators to reference and explore later. They demonstrated that the LIDAR mapping tool can be mounted on a drone or even a Boston Dynamics robotic dog, so officers can remotely view a dangerous crime scene before risking their safety. The Fullerton Police Department currently has an older-generation Leica 3D crime-scene scanner but is looking to upgrade its technology.

Fullerton College Professors Letty Ramirez and Kelly Robertson gave a tour of the “Crime Scene Lab” at Fullerton College. Professor Ramirez is also a Forensic Supervisor at the Fullerton Police Department. Professor Robertson is a former LAPD Detective.

The FC CSI Lab supports the Fullerton College Crime Scene Investigation Certificate Program and its Associate Degree in Administration of Justice. The CSI Lab is a simulated 2-bedroom home with mock crime scenes, ready for a student investigative team near the end of their training.

A variety of dummies are available to pose as victims of mayhem, such as stabbings, beheadings, or month-old corpses. Various weapons, simulated drug stashes, blood spatter simulations, body parts, etc, are ready if needed to add to the evidentiary scene. Students take crime scene photographs, collect DNA evidence, and measure and document blood spatter and other crime scene clues.

The CSI Lab is used by students in the “Crime Scene Techniques” class after they’ve taken classes in Crime Scene Investigation, DNA and Genetic Fingerprinting, Evidence Photography, and Rules of Evidence, among others. Fullerton Police Department has also used the CSI Lab to train its officers in crime scene investigation. Also, the lab has even been filmed for a “Forensic Files” TV episode yet to be released.

Upon completing 17 or so units, students earn a Crime Scene Investigation Certificate. CSI graduates can pursue two career paths: One is as a “sworn” Police Officer. The other “professional” route is as a civilian CSI investigator, or possibly continuing their education.  So far, the program has produced nine interns working at Police Departments, including two at the Fullerton Police Department. One of the interns has already participated in a death investigation. Police departments from surrounding communities have also shown interest in hiring graduates.

Fullerton College also showed off its Precision Manufacturing Skills Certificate and Associate Programs. Fullerton College has twelve CNC machines and as many lathes and mills with various levels of automation. Machine Technology Instructor George Bonnand said the program covers fundamental skills to give graduates a solid shop-skill background that makes them more than just operators punching data into a CNC machine.

They also train students to use state-of-the-art measuring tools, such as a Hexagon scanner that can measure a finished piece to under one thousandth inch tolerances across all dimensions and surfaces for inspection verification. A process that might take 10 minutes is hereby reduced to a matter of seconds.

Instructor Bonnand says his students are trained for an intermediate role between engineer and CNC operator.  He is constantly supplying apprentices to companies such as SpaceX and Martin Marietta. The program’s design is informed by a board of advisors from local industry to ensure graduates are trained in the latest critical skills. He considers his program critical in “reshoring” skilled manufacturing to the United States as the USA reacts to supply chain restrictions with China.

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