Cal State LA celebrates Hertzberg-Davis Forensic Science Center

An impressive array of elected officials and law enforcement leaders recently attended a celebration marking the 10th anniversary of the Hertzberg-Davis Forensic Science Center at California State University, Los Angeles.

The center is the largest regional, municipal crime lab facility in the nation and houses the laboratories of the Los Angeles County Sheriff‘s and Los Angeles Police departments. The facility also is home to the Cal State LA School of Criminal Justice and Criminalistics and the California Forensic Science Institute.

Guests at the Oct. 30 event honored State Senator and former Assembly Speaker Robert M. Hertzberg and former California Gov. Gray Davis, both of whom were instrumental in securing funds for the construction of the regional crime lab.

“It took a lot of people with a lot of vision and a lot of work to make this thing happen,” Hertzberg said to the hundreds of people gathered outside the state-of-the-art facility. The center came to fruition because of “government working together at its best.”

The celebration was one of a number of events during Cal State LA’s 70th anniversary.

As assembly speaker, Hertzberg championed the need for improved forensic science capabilities across California. Along with then-Gov. Davis, he helped secure funding for the facility, second in size only to the FBI crime lab at Quantico.

Cal State LA President William A. Covino thanked Hertzberg and Davis. The president noted the unique academic opportunities the center has provided to students, who study alongside some of the top law enforcement investigators in the nation.

“As we celebrate, we look back, of course, with great pride at what’s been accomplished here and recognize that the work that takes place here every day has an immeasurable impact on Los Angeles,” Covino said.

Covino presented to Hertzberg and Davis the California State University, Los Angeles Presidential Medallion. The Presidential Medallion is the university’s highest honor and is bestowed upon individuals who have displayed outstanding leadership and extraordinary service to the community.

“When you’re in office, no matter what job you have, you always hope you can do something that leaves people better off,” Davis said after receiving the medallion. “When I see this building, it just so exceeds my expectations. I’m just so proud of every criminologist who walks in this building every day because they only have one job: to keep L.A. safe and to make criminal justice absolutely justice for all.”

Cal State LA students accepted into the highly competitive program participate in coursework related to forensic sciences, including crime-scene reconstruction and courtroom testimony, and have opportunities to work alongside LAPD and LASD investigators.

Since the center opened its doors on the university’s campus in 2007, more than 2,000 students have completed their bachelor’s degrees in criminal justice. Many graduates of Cal State LA’s criminalistics master’s degree program have gone on to work as crime lab employees for the LAPD and LASD.

“The center merges scholarship with training and allows our students to benefit from working with the best in the business—crime scene investigators and forensic scientists from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s and Los Angeles Police departments,” said Cal State LA Executive Vice President Jose A. Gomez, who was the emcee of the event.

Vintage police and sheriff’s vehicles were displayed at the reception and students in lab coats demonstrated some of the forensic techniques they study, including blood spatter analysis and using special lighting to detect evidence not readily visible.

Among those who attended the reception were Los Angeles District Attorney Jackie Lacey, Los Angeles City Attorney Mike Feuer, and California Highway Patrol Commissioner and Cal State LA alumnus Warren Stanley.

Before the Hertzberg-Davis Forensic Science Center existed, DNA was analyzed in a converted laundry room. Now, the facility’s DNA unit accommodates more than 80 staff members who analyze evidence from more than 230,000 cases annually.

On behalf of the LAPD, First Asst. Chief Michel Moore presented Cal State LA with a 1958 forensics textbook from an investigator and professor of police science at what was then Los Angeles State College. Moore praised those who want to continue to work with the university at the center to develop the future of law enforcement.

“Those in white lab coats that are standing around here, one day we hope you’ll be up here,” Moore said. “And one day, I know that you are going to make our community safer.”

Los Angeles County Sheriff Jim McDonnell echoed Moore’s remarks, emphasizing the importance of the collaborative crime lab and thanking Cal State LA for its contributions to the center.

“When I heard earlier the Cal State LA motto—engagement, service and the public good—really that’s what being a leader is all about,” McDonnell said. “So congratulations to Cal State LA for your work and the work that you’ll do into the future.”

Photo: Left to right, Robert M. Hertzberg, William A. Covino, and Gray Davis. (Credit: Cal State LA)