Forensic Science at Staffordshire University

Choosing an area to commit yourself to for three years and maybe more is a tough call. You know that however worthy the course, unless it is something you really enjoy, it will be an uphill struggle. Think outside the box. Once, if you were interested in English, you simply studied that subject. My students at Staffordshire now study Creative Writing or Sports Journalism as a way of learning about and using their knowledge and skills in literature and much more.

Just because a course has a professional focus, does not mean that you have limited career choices, in fact, quite the contrary. Take Forensic Science, for example. Some of our graduates here at Staffordshire do become Forensic Scientists. Many others, however, leave with a strong Science based degree which they have enjoyed and with a whole set of other skills that makes them very attractive to employers. Others have combined Forensics with Psychology or Criminology.

Let us look at what the course holds, should you be interested in it. At first sight it might seem a strange choice. Painstakingly sifting through the grisly debris that is left behind at a crime scene may present its own challenges but it is an integral part of the quest to uncover the silent witnesses that could lead to a criminal conviction.

With an eye for the tiniest of details, a forensic scientist must find and gather physical evidence, such as fingerprints, blood, hair or tissue samples, gunshot residues, poisons or maybe even insects. These diverse exhibits are taken away for further analysis in the lab as they may prove vital in a later prosecution. From the analysis of forged documents to illegal drugs, from the processing of fingerprints to DNA profiling to help identify a criminal suspect, from the analysis of a firebomb scene, the knowledge and skills of a forensic scientist must be of the highest order, demanding attention to the smallest detail.

 We have here at Staffordshire a Scene of Crime House set up for the Forensic courses. Wearing full protective clothing students act as scenes of crime officers and process each scene using the appropriate equipment and procedures to prevent contamination and loss. The first time I saw that house, I expected Inspector Frost to peer round a door. That house really is a sight not to miss!

Whatever course you chose, practical hands-on experience will always serve you well in your future employment. If you do choose one with a professional emphasis, make sure that you get the best. One way of checking this is to see which public and private agencies support the course and how close to their profession the staff are. So at Staffordshire, for example, the course is delivered by professional forensic scientists alongside experienced academic staff. Current contributors include several police forces and their scientific support departments, along with national and independent forensic science agencies.

Good luck in making your choice. New kinds of courses offer you so much. I’ve just tried to explore one with you. There are many others. And, by the way, if you see a little guy with a funny hat walking down Leek Road in Stoke on Trent, ask him for his autograph. It will be Inspector Frost on his way to the scene of the crime!

By Professor Christine King, Staffordshire University

Profile: Gemma Bagnall

BSc(Hons) Forensic Science graduate Gemma Bagnall, is now a Forensic Vehicle Examiner for West Midlands Police.  “Vehicles that have been recovered after being stolen come to me for examination” she explained.

“I do lots of fingerprinting, collect DNA evidence and check the body work on the vehicle.  I also look at thefts from vehicles, things like laptops, CDs and handbags.  If the offender has cut themselves you are on a winning streak, but otherwise it can be very hard to find the evidence although this is part of the challenge.”

Gemma, 24, graduated from Staffordshire University last summer and says her course was a very good grounding for the world of forensic science.  She is still fascinated by the work: “I had always wanted to go into forensic science, but had been told there were no direct routes into it.  Then I saw the Staffordshire course advertised and just went for it.”
“People I work with have been surprised at just how much biology and chemistry my degree also covered, although this is always focussed on getting information from forensic evidence.”
On the Staffordshire University courses, students learn about how to manage, process and collect evidence from the scene of a crime and how to analyse data of a wide variety of types, including fingerprints, blood samples and spatter patterns, glass and paint fragments, illicit drugs and fire scenes.

Staffordshire University even has its own crime scene house where students develop their skills and put their knowledge into practice working with simulated crimes prior to going on to present their conclusions in our own courtrooms.

Faculty of Health and Sciences Recruitment Centre
Staffordshire University
College Road
Stoke-on- Trent
ST4 2DE
01782 294880
scienceadmissions@staffs.ac.uk
www.staffs.ac.uk/sciences