New partnership begins between West Midlands Police and Wolverhampton University for forensic investigation training

The month-long Level One Volume Crime course combines classroom learning with realistic practical sessions in the on-site crime scene simulation house.

It will see the trainees take on everything from taking fingerprints and lifting footprints, to examining blood splatters and taking DNA swabs, while also maintaining the approved techniques and learning the latest scientific and technological advances. 

Their work is continually monitored by nationally renowned tutors and feedback provided.

West Midlands Police forensics investigation manager, Louise Chapman, said: “By partnering with Wolverhampton University, we're combining academic expertise with real-world policing experience to create a comprehensive training programme that ensures our FSIs are fully equipped to do their role and do it well. This matters because securing justice for victims matters.

“Our hope with the partnership is that we are able to deliver a yearly training programme, not just for West Midlands Police staff, but for other police forces as well.”

Burglaries, aggravated burglaries and cannabis factories have all been staged in the University's Locard House, to mimic real-life crime scenes, with the team able to easily change the rooms to tailor the training to reflect crime trends in the West Midlands.

Senior Lecturer in Forensic Science, Becky Flanagan, left West Midlands Police two years ago to pursue her passion of teaching the next generation of forensic scientists and crime scene investigators. 

She said: “Here at Wolverhampton University, we provide quality learning opportunities for the next generation of FSIs. 

"This new partnership means we’re now ensuring working FSIs are at the top of their game to guarantee secure convictions.

“Crime scene investigation is an applied science, it is based on practical experience and skills, so we are very much focusing on that.”

Class sizes are set at 10 to minimise the operational impact of the annual courses while giving trainees a quality learning experience which allows for careful and continuous monitoring by tutors and assessors.

Forensic scene investigator Taron McKay was one of the first to trial the course and said: “The biggest thing about the course is confidence.

“It gives you confidence in yourself, in forensic techniques and everything you have studied.”