1. 2007 Innovation in Teaching Award Simulated Crime Scene on Campus J.K. Pringle School of Physical Sciences & Geography

2. The Problem 2006-7 teaching, in particular CHE-30013 (Forensic Science specialisms) & ESC-10026 (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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. Dec 2007

7. CHE-30013 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)

8. Students in action GPR Resistivity Surveying Groups in action

9. CHE-30013 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 7.04 -> 7.21 –Practicals 7.07 -> 7.38 –Assessment 5.96 -> 6.52 “practicals very enjoyable & gave great insight into CSH work” “provided impetus for background reading”

10. ESC-10026 Environmental Geophysics 2006-7 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!”

12. Student Research Projects 2007-8 ESC-40009 M.Geoscience Project –Tested magnetics as clandestine burial location method 2008-9 CHE-30011 Forensic Team Projects –Will use collected leachate fluid from control carcass to assess biochemical changes over time

13. 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

14. 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

15. Acknowledgements 2007 Keele University £1k Innovation in Teaching Award 2007-8 CHE-30013 & ESC- 10026 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: www.esci.keele.ac.uk/geophysics/ Research/forensic/www.esci.keele.ac.uk/geophysics/ Research/forensic/