Strode College held a two-day 'Crime Scene' education event on Campus for Criminology and Uniformed Protective Services students to experience the role of a Police Officer and Crime Scene Investigator at a Crime Scene, identifying, preserving, and collecting physical evidence and put their knowledge learned during lessons into practice.

This year Strode College Crime Day(s) were held on campus and was a cross-college and stakeholder collaboration between A-level Criminology, BTEC Public Services students and a Crime Scene Investigator from South West Forensics.

Day one offered a 'real crime scene' for students to be police officers, this was run by an ex-Avon and Somerset Police Officer and an ex-London Metropolitan Police Officer, where the students were invited to look and deal with a crime scene as a police officer, put in cordons, preserve the crime scene, identify evidence at the scene and consider the next steps for the investigation.

Day two the students had an experienced crime scene investigator for the day who attended the scene with them and where the students were taught how to collect and store evidence as a CSI, many of them immersed themselves fully by even wearing the forensic suits!

In the afternoon of the second day there was a lecture in Strode Theatre by the Crime Scene Investigator about their role and techniques used at crime scenes. The students were shown how fingerprints are taken, DNA swabs and other tools and techniques used, and health and safety considerations.

There were approximately 150 students who attended this educational event which was held at Strode Theatre and concluded the two-day event which was well received and the learning from this covered many of the learning objectives over the two courses, bringing learning to life!

Criminology students could consider the various potential careers of the professional roles and responsibilities involved with a Crime Scene investigation. Along with job descriptions, University pathways and any apprenticeship opportunities within this area of the public sector: PCSO, Special Constable, Police Officer, Police detective, Crime Scene Investigator and Forensics.

Sarah Shaw, Course Manager Criminology Teacher at Strode College said: "I am the Applied Criminology course manager here at Strode College and this year's second year students had a fictitious crime scene to manage and identify forensic opportunities with a real-life CSI. This is an extension of the Criminology course that we run here at Strode where we put the students' knowledge into practice, and they loved it!

"The Criminology department collaborated with the Public Services team which worked fantastically as all staff have varied background knowledge in this field, enhancing the learning environment. This year we invited a CSI, and in the future we hope to build up and bring Pathologists, CPS lawyers, and forensics, crime prevention specialists and the probation service to enable a full criminological study experience that also focuses on career ideas as well."

Strode College is holding its next Open Evening on Thursday 9th of February from 5:30-8:00pm, which is open to school leavers and mature students.

All visitors will be able to explore this Criminology course and other study options, meet their teachers, and look at the college's fantastic facilities. Attendance is by pre-booking only which can be done online at strode-college.ac.uk/events