Double celebration for first class graduate

Prize-winning student Alex Smethurst is working towards a career as a forensic psychologist to understand more about why offenders commit crimes.

The 22-year-old graduates from Teesside University with a first class BSc (Hons) Forensic Psychology. She has also picked up the prize for the student with the highest overall grade on her course.

Alex, from Northallerton, is now studying a master’s in Forensic Psychology at Teesside and said she decided to stay on at postgraduate level after being impressed by the practical experience of the lecturers.

'They have all worked in the industry and that adds real substance to what they are teaching you,' she said.

'My career aim is to become a forensic psychologist and work with offenders. I believe my undergraduate degree and now studying at postgraduate level at Teesside will put me in a good position to achieve that.'

Alex said the aspect of the course she enjoyed most was the final year research project in which she examined the influence of lie detector results on decisions made my juries.

'Lie detector results are not as accurate as many people believe them to be and there are a number of factors that can influence the outcomes,' said Alex.

'I found that in England, juries are far more likely to be influenced by evidence involving certain types of lie detector results than juries in America.'

Alex is looking forward to celebrating her graduation with her friends and family and is proud of her achievements.

She said: 'It is great to come out with a first class degree and to also win the award for the highest overall grade is fantastic – it has made all the hard work worthwhile and will definitely help when looking for future employment.'

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