Student views

Why Teesside?

Teesside was one of two universities I considered for my master’s. I found Teesside through looking at courses that were accredited by the Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences, as this was very important to me. I attended a postgraduate open day and after looking around the campus and speaking to some of the staff I chose Teesside.

What was your course like?

My course was varied and covered a wide range of topics. Modules were delivered by knowledgeable lecturers who had a great deal of experience within the forensic science field. We used a wide array of specialist equipment and instrumentation including gas chromatography, high performance liquid chromatography, Glass Refractive Index Measurement and scanning electron microscopes.

What was the best thing about your course?

One of the best things about the course was definitely the calibre of lecturers. They all had a wealth of real-life knowledge acquired from years of working within the forensic field and were able to provide us with casework examples which enhanced the learning experience. I really got on with my classmates, many of us came from different undergraduate backgrounds so we were able to support each other in areas we were most comfortable with.

What have you done since graduating?

The careers service were incredibly helpful and definitely helped me get my first role within the forensic science field. The Tuesday after finishing my master’s I started as a DNA analyst with LGC (now Eurofins Forensic Services) within the PACE DNA team. I was firstly trained in the analysis of DNA profiles which are to be loaded on to the National DNA Database. Following this I was trained in laboratory processing of the samples.

Nine months after obtaining my first role I was promoted to Senior DNA analyst which allowed me to take a more technical position within the team. This involved carrying out investigations and continuous improvement tasks to assist the team, as well as conducting troubleshooting within live work situations. Currently, I am working within the Scene of Crime DNA team as a project DNA analyst.

Did your time at Teesside University help you to achieve or get closer to your goals?

My time at Teesside allowed me to gain the forensic science knowledge that built on my biology background. This was vital in obtaining my first role. My course provided me with practical skills and the ability to apply my knowledge within a forensic science context. I would definitely recommend Teesside to anyone who wants to work in the field of forensic science.