This was the first visit of 2026 and for much of the time, S&T members were actively practising some of the actions needed at a crime scene even to the extent of wearing white lab coats.  We were presented with a scenario of a house with a history of drug offences apparently having been broken into via the back door and the kitchen ransacked.  Left behind on the floor were a black woollen hat and a clear plastic bag containing a white powder. We then had to carry out some of the roles required at a real crime scene.  This involved a large number of actions such as deciding which evidence need to be collected, recording the scene both by sketching and photography as well as collecting the evidence.

Following the practical, we were then taken to a laboratory where we used microscopes to distinguish between the hair from various mammals e.g. dog, rabbit and human.  Gunshot residue often forms part of a crime scene investigation and we learned how a scanning electron microscope is used to detect this.

A couple of the other sections within the Dept. of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences which we were shown include simulated hospital wards with life size mannequins that can mimic human behaviour and a pharmacy where students can practice dispensing prescriptions and have face-to-face interaction with customers.

Many thanks to John Biggs for organising such an interesting visit.

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