Iconic television crime scenes recreated to draw extra detectives amid nationwide scarcity
Britain is currently 5,000 detectives short, meaning unmanageable workloads for officers and crimes left unsolved, so a university has built a gruesome set on campus to entice students into the job
Students will be able to examine the crime scene(Image: Mike Buck / University of Lincoln)
Boffins have replicated some of telly’s most famous crime scenes in a bid to attract the next generation of detectives amid a national shortage. Wannabe detectives can also examine an axe-splintered bathroom door and a bottle of red wine.
The immersive set features 18 iconic crime scenes from tv and film such as the iconic blood-splattered shower from Psycho and the axe-splintered bathroom door from The Shining.
Students at the University of Lincoln will be able to use it as part of their Forensic Science degrees. It was unveiled at an Open Day yesterday where would-be students were tested to solve as many crime scenes as they can.
It comes as the UK faces a huge shortage of skilled forensic professionals, especially in digital forensics which currently has a backlog of over 20,000 digital devices.
There is also a worrying lack of police detectives, which has a shortfall of over 5,000 investigators.
Dr Kirsty Miller, head of college of health and science, said: “We are living in an age where social media and true crime have made criminal investigations fascinating to huge audiences, but real investigations depend on evidence, scientific rigour and professional judgement.
“Our Crime Scene House is designed to spark curiosity and show prospective students how those skills are developed in practice.
“At a time when the criminal justice system is crying out for more investigators and detectives, we’re hoping it inspires students to choose a degree that leads to a much needed and valuable career.”
Vice Chancellor Professor Neal Juster said: “We’re proud to offer outstanding opportunities across a wide range of disciplines, helping students develop the knowledge, skills and confidence to build successful careers.
“The Crime Scene House captures that approach perfectly, it’s imaginative, immersive and shows how we bring academic learning together with real-world experience to inspire the next generation of professionals.”
