Criminology students and faculty at Fresno State may now conduct research using computers equipped with specialized software to address a variety of research questions related to cognitive science experiments.
Research includes eyewitness identifications, content analysis of interviews with offenders and studies on the protocols that law enforcement officers use during witness and suspect interrogation.
The forensic behavioral lab in the Science II Building — rooms 148, 150 and 152 — opened on Sept. 15 when faculty and staff were provided with tours and overviews on the labs’ capabilities.
“We are anticipating a buzz of activity from graduate students working on their thesis, McNair students developing their research projects and undergraduate research assistants working with faculty mentors on research,” said Dr. Candice Skrapec, criminology professor.
A smaller “running room” will be used to conduct research on actual participants/subjects, but access to that lab is restricted because most of the research data there is confidential. All faculty in the Criminology Department can use the facility for research projects that they and/or their designated students are conducting. The facility is also available to students conducting group projects, graduate students and honors students working on class projects.
For more information, contact Lucero Benitez at 559.278.4381 or lbenitez@csufresno.edu.
