Published: March 06, 2007 07:27 am      

OSBI, UCO projects on pace

EDMOND — Crime scene investigations on television usually are associated with faraway places like Miami and New York.

But Edmond is about to make a name for itself in CSI-type studies. The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation Forensic Science Center is scheduled to open later this year, and associated future construction is planned at the University of Central Oklahoma.

Steve Kreidler, executive vice president at UCO, said buildings will be added on campus to enhance the forensic science department, with the first groundbreaking scheduled as early as fall.

The initial structure will be just east of the university’s main entrance on Garland Godfrey Drive.

“This building is specifically designed to house the Forensic Science Institute, which is a teaching arm of the university specifically reaching out to people who are not enrolled in undergraduate or graduate programs,” Kreidler said.

The Forensic Science Institute will provide continuing education for people who are involved in forensic science throughout their career — people like law enforcement officers, district attorneys, judges and forensic scientists themselves.

“The emphasis is on developing expertise,” Kreidler said. “This will be for anybody who needs to know the latest and greatest information out there — those who have received a degree but need to stay on top of their field.”

At least a dozen seminars a year already are planned for the institute, a number that likely is to grow, Kreidler said.

“We will have world-class forensic science experts to teach these seminars, which will last anywhere from two days to a couple of weeks.”

Areas of study will include DNA and trace evidence, analytical chemistry, evidence recovery, cyber security and counter-terrorism. UCO faculty members also will be involved in the training.

“This is totally amazing — really exciting stuff,” Kreidler said. “We will develop deep, deep skills and training for OSBI and other law enforcement folks. We will have people coming from all over the country.”

David Stapleton, director of architectural and engineering services at UCO, said the 21,000-square-foot building will house a seminar room seating 169 people, a large atrium area, three classrooms and office space for Forensic Science Institute faculty and support staff.

Estimated cost for the project is $6.5 million. About $5 million is provided from a State of Oklahoma bond issue, with the remainder paid from university resources, Kreidler said.

Stapleton said UCO is in the process of getting this building, along with two others, certified as a Leadership in Energy and Efficient Design project. LEED certification means the building is designed to be energy efficient, ecologically friendly and in tune with its natural setting, Stapleton said.

It also will be monitored for other standards set by the U.S. Green Building Council during construction and at completion.

“As far as I know, we’re the first (institution) in the state to decide to do this,” Stapleton said. “It’s going to be a great building — it’s going to be really nice.”

A future academic classroom building and the Old North renovation project also will be carried out with LEED certification in mind, Stapleton said.

Although the new structure will usurp parking space near the university’s main entrance, Kreidler said additional parking will be added on the east side of the campus.

“And we’re already working with the state to fund a second facility, which will be a forensic laboratory to create lab space for our academic and continuing education programs,” Kreidler said.

Meanwhile, construction still is ongoing at the OSBI Forensic Science Center across Second Street from UCO.

Jerry Hire, special projects officer at OSBI, said progress is right on schedule.

“The icy, snowy weather did set them back on the roofing this winter, but they think they can make up that time,” Hire said.

The facility is scheduled to open in late August or early September and construction is on budget, he added.

“We got the second round of $6.3 million in bond money last fall. It’s going well — the building looks great.”

Ground was broken for the OSBI facility in September 2005. The facility will have 75,000 square feet of usable space, providing expanded space for OSBI’s laboratories, offices and technology components.

(Alice Collinsworth may be reached via e-mail at acollinsworth@edmondsun.com.)