Students to study cracking crimes (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Students to study cracking crimes

Ref. 29030-76YOUNGSTERS are always being told not to watch too much TV, but in this case tuning in has inspired them in their future careers.

From this September, Swindon College will be offering a course in forensic science as a result of students watching television programmes such as Silent Witness, the drama starring Amanda Burton as pathologist Dr Sam Ryan, and Crime Scene Investiga-tion (CSI).

Cathy Shahrokni, school liaison co-ordinator at Swindon College, said: "We like to respond to trends in demand for new courses.

"We wanted to offer something more specific than just general science courses.

"Members of the science teaching staff noted lots of pupils were coming forward at open evenings expressing interest in forensic science.

"Television has the impact to make youngsters think about the options open to them.

"There was a direct connection to watching Silent Witness and other science-based programmes. This is exactly what the sciences need to raise their profile."

Three potential students have already been invited for an interview at the college next week. The course will take a minimum of 15 students.

They will study modules such as chemical and physical forensic science, forensic psychology and criminal investigation procedures.

Students must complete five core units and 13 specialist units.

They can then apply to universities to read forensic science.

The BTEC National Diploma is equivalent to three A-levels and potential students should have a good scientific background and be interested in the sciences.

A good standard of maths is also required as there is a high mathematical content to the course.

Dr Megan Russell, the tutor who will be taking the biological forensic science modules, said: "The course will be laboratory-based but we will make it as practical as we can.

"There will be analysis of post-mortem and scene of crime evidence as well as fingerprinting and DNA tests.

"I am very excited about teaching this course and I'm really looking forward to getting into it.

"Students in my classes increasingly come out with questions related to something they have seen on TV. This can only be good for the sciences."

In recent years, admissions tutors at Swindon College have received numerous inquiries about forensic science courses.

For more information ring the college on Swindon 491591.

l The BBC has been showing Silent Witness since 1996. It was created by former policeman Nigel McCreary and has become a ratings hit for BBC One.

CSI, imported from America, has quickly become a hit on Five.

Emma-Kate Lidbury