Multiple awards for Teesside as bestselling author helps celebrate 21 years of forensics

Multiple awards for Teesside as bestselling author helps celebrate 21 years of forensics.

Staff, students and graduates also picked up prizes at a prestigious international conference – reaffirming Teesside University’s standing as a leader in forensic science.

Val McDermid, who is best known for her Wire in the Blood series, attended the University’s ‘forensic science – past, present and future’ event, which reflected on past achievements, while also looking forward to new developments in this highly specialised field.

She talked about how scientific fact is now informing fiction and praised the work of Teesside University in preparing the forensic scientists of the future.

'With so many developments in forensic science it’s an exciting time to be involved in this field,” said Val.

'The University takes a very imaginative approach and reaches out in many different ways, not just the conventional.

'A lot of young people who study forensic science have been inspired by fiction, rather than the fact, having read books or seen television programmes. They see it as an exciting way of applying science to fighting crime and achieving justice, which is a very noble ambition for young people to have. I’m hoping that I can help them to understand how important it is for the process of justice in this country that forensic science is pursued as assiduously as possible.'

Students from local schools were also invited to Teesside University to take part in a challenge which involved solving a murder case through forensic investigation. They took part in practical sessions on blood patterning, footwear mark examinations and fingerprinting.

Teesside is seen as a founding father of forensic science as it was the first University in the country to offer forensic and crime scene courses.

The Forensic Horizons 2013 Conference, held in Manchester, was attended by hundreds of experts from within the industry and saw Teesside University win a host of prestigious awards.

Brian Rankin, Head of the Centre for Forensic Investigation at Teesside University, was honoured with the Special Contribution to Forensic Science award. Matthew Grima, who graduated with a first class BSc (Hons) Applied Science and Forensic Investigation at the University, followed by a Master of Research in Science, picked up the award for the Best Paper in Science and Justice. And PhD student Sam Cadd won the Research and Scholarship award.

Melanie Brown, Senior Lecturer in Forensic and Crime Scene Science, picked up the award on behalf of Ronja Bergmann who won the Most Meritorious Undergraduate award and now works in forensic science in Australia. Dr Helen Tidy accepted the continued course accreditation certificate for Teesside University.

The two day conference also saw specialists from Teesside University give a range of talks and presentations.

Brian Rankin said: 'This has been a really special year for forensics at Teesside University and the recognition we are receiving is a fitting tribute to our revolutionary courses and applied research which is having a significant impact on the industry.

'On a personal level, I was delighted to receive the Special Contribution to Forensic Science award. It was a really successful conference for us and everybody was talking about the success of Teesside University.'

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