Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced that approximately 50 Bloomfield College students will visit the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Crime Scene Bureau tomorrow, Tuesday, May 3, starting at 2:30 p.m. for a mock crime scene investigation.
Reporters are welcome to cover the event. The Crime Scene Bureau is located at 530 Thomas Blvd. (Between Heyward and Dodd streets) in Orange.
“We are thrilled these students are taking part in this exercise,’’ said Acting Essex County Prosecutor Murray. “Fighting crime requires help from everyone in the community. Whether these students go into law enforcement or other fields, it benefits the entire community when they understand what is involved in collecting evidence and preserving that evidence to prosecute a case. After this experience, we hope each student will have a greater appreciation for the work the Crime Scene Bureau performs.’’
Bloomfield College Professor Dr. Vadnee Jefferson, who arranged for the students to visit the Crime Scene Bureau, said, “From the time the students arrive they will be expected to behave as if they are crime scene investigators.’’
Captain Arnold Valentin, of the ECPO Crime Scene Bureau, said the students will be divided into two groups and will be graded on how well they follow proper crime scene processing protocol.
Opened in 2006, the ECPO has a 15,000 square foot state-of-the-art crime scene facility which includes a vehicle processing room, a forensic processing room, a drying chamber room designed for the processing and packaging of blood soaked clothing and a digital photography room.
“The students are really excited,’’ said Dr. Jefferson.
Detective Michael Mossa, of the ECPO Crime Scene Bureau, spent a day at the school teaching the students about crime scene evidence collection.
Based on what they have learned in class, students should understand how to secure a crime scene, how to record their observations, who to speak to and what type of evidence should be gathered, said Dr. Jefferson.
Most of the students are in Dr. Jefferson’s Human Biology class — a required course for all students. Others are studying forensic science.
