This week marks National Forensic Science Week, an opportunity to recognise the important role forensic science plays within the justice system and to celebrate the people behind the science.
At Bericon Forensics, we asked one of our experts a few quick questions about life in forensic science – from what first sparked the interest, to memorable cases and some of the common misconceptions surrounding the profession.
What first sparked your interest in forensic science?
” My interest started quite young. As a child, I watched Quincy, M.E., which centred on the work of a forensic medical examiner, and at the age of 12 I bought Forty Years of Murder, the autobiography of Professor Keith Simpson.
Almost 50 years later, I still find forensic science just as interesting.”
And he still keeps a copy of the book on his desk!
What has been your most memorable case?
“One of the most unusual involved a defendant entering a property wearing a panda costume while under the influence of drugs – certainly not a case you forget easily.
In terms of scale, the Michael Philpott case was probably the biggest and most significant case I have worked on.
Reporting for CNN on the Madeleine McCann case was another particularly memorable experience. This was very different from my usual casework!”
What is the biggest misconception about forensic science?
“Programmes such as CSI can make forensic science appear almost effortless – tests are completed in minutes, answers are immediate, and time and budgets seem unlimited.
In reality, testing takes time, resources must be prioritised and budgets are an important consideration. The real skill lies in interpreting the science carefully and understanding what it means in the context of the whole case.”
Celebrating the people behind forensic science
Forensic science is about far more than laboratory results. It requires experience, careful interpretation and an understanding of how individual findings fit within the wider circumstances of a case.
National Forensic Science Week provides a great opportunity to recognise both the science itself and the experts who have dedicated their careers to understanding and explaining it.
