2007 Innovation in Teaching Award Simulated Crime Scene on Campus J.K. Pringle School of Physical Sciences & Geography

The Problem teaching, in particular CHE (Forensic Science specialisms) & ESC (Environmental Geophysics), suffered from lack of outdoor ‘field laboratory’ Crucial when student-led, outdoor practicals need a ‘realistic’ & course-relevant problem-solving task to complete Group-led student task to create campus soil map not a satisfactory forensic application –As noted in student feedback forms & reflection

Staffordshire Uni. comparison Ongoing collaboration with Forensic Scientists at Staffs Uni. Observed custom- designed ‘Crime Scene House’ & associated facilities Wanted to use & apply to Keele –Would enhance student experience –Gain employability skills

Award Aim Create simulated outdoor campus crime scene facility –Allows taught students to gain practical experience on a variety of simulated forensic case studies –Allow students to practice forensic observational, data collection, processing & interpreting transferable skills –Allow student-led, group problem-solved practicals Provide test site for field-based student under-/post- graduate research projects Use for out-reach & widening participation –Used for Mid-Cheshire College HNC/HND student visit External observers will validate scientific ‘realism’ –Retired Police Service officers on ex-CSI teams

December 2007 Reduced budget so primary objective: –Use pig carcasses as ‘human proxies’ to create simulated clandestine graves Similar skin, hair coverage & tissue:fat ratio Approved through appropriate Keele Uni. & DEFRA H&S & Ethical Committees

Dec 2007

CHE Jan-Feb 2008 Practicals Reports of individual acting suspiciously on campus at night Witnesses state wide tracked, loaded vehicle & carrying spade Preliminary investigations found surface tyre tracks over a specific area on campus Split into 4 groups, you will lead non-invasive investigations, decide upon appropriate techniques (use newly acquired knowledge from lectures) & divide project tasks Limited numbers onsite & overalls to prevent contamination Use SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) –Each group member assigned task, signed in & out of site Process & interpret results & compile scientific report for Senior Investigative Officer (submit via WebCT)

Students in action GPR Resistivity Surveying Groups in action

CHE Reports & Feedback Group submitted reports of high standard Most correctly identified position & prioritised targets for subsequent intrusive investigations Active learning by practicals encouraged deep learning Student group-led, problem solving activity enhanced student experience Improved employability skills through multi-disciplinary investigation of crime scene Significantly improved student feedback (out of 10) –Content & lectures > 7.21 –Practicals > 7.38 –Assessment > 6.52 “practicals very enjoyable & gave great insight into CSH work” “provided impetus for background reading”

ESC Environmental Geophysics practicals either demonstrated equipment or created posters on student-led topic –Useful but not enhancing student environmental geophysics experience –Keele has one of strongest research groups in near-surface geophysics Important to provide practical-based geophysical challenge Therefore used site to assist students to both collect geophysical data, process & identify prioritised targets Showed results in poster format Good student feedback “really enjoyed forensic topic” “learnt a lot of new skills in short time” “want to do geophysics as a career!”

Student Research Projects ESC M.Geoscience Project –Tested magnetics as clandestine burial location method CHE Forensic Team Projects –Will use collected leachate fluid from control carcass to assess biochemical changes over time

PG Student Research Projects Site surveyed every 2 weeks using GPR & resistivity geophysical techniques Project aims (John Jervis) is to assess: –If optimal ‘time window’ to survey for clandestine burial & if changes over time –Quantitatively monitor site to relate to geophysical surveys –Optimum geophysical location workflows –Assist UK Police Service investigative teams Assisting Staffs/Metropolitan Police Service & Forensic Science Service

Project Output –Student feedback shows significantly enhanced experience –Web resource to be made available to area-specific students Project vod-casts to be available Future Plans –Will build experience for next year’s UG cohorts Change to 6 students per group & individually submit reports –Will emplace metallic targets to complicate site –Will add another carcass to test students ability to differentiate different aged burials

Acknowledgements 2007 Keele University £1k Innovation in Teaching Award CHE & ESC student cohorts Respective course lecturers John Jervis, Victoria Lane, Tim Millington & Malcolm Wright for site set-up and practical’s assistance See website for more info: Research/forensic/ Research/forensic/