In a society where crime fiction is one of the best audience pullers for film, TV and paperback, it’s no surprise that an opportunity to find out about the perfect murder is proving so popular in the North-east of Scotland.

Around 300 members of the public are expected to attend a sold out ‘Murder, Mystery and Microscopes’ event which is taking place as part of TechFest at Robert Gordon University this evening (Saturday 26 September). The evening is to be hosted by Damien McLeod of Original 106 FM and will give adults who have an interest in forensics the chance to hear from some of the most high-profile and knowledgeable experts in the field.

A collaborative initiative between the Macaulay Institute and Aberdeen’s two universities, the event will form a basis for the discussion of the forensic implications of a number of extracts from the fictional works of infamous Scottish crime writer, Stuart MacBride.

Professor Dave Barclay, a world-renowned forensics expert and Senior Lecturer in Forensic Science at Robert Gordon University, is to provide his specialist insight at what is sure to be a very interesting debate.

Former Head of Physical Evidence for the UK National Crime and Operations Faculty, Professor Barclay has been involved in reviewing more than 200 murder investigations, cold case reviews and inquiries into alleged miscarriages of justice. These include the Bloody Sunday inquiry, the Omagh bombing, the World’s End murders in Edinburgh, and the Millie Dowler and Soham murders.

During the event he is going to demonstrate how not everything we see in our favourite murder mystery programmes is quite how it works in the real world. Equipped with a can of petrol, one eye-opening part of his presentation will involve throwing a lit cigarette into the flammable liquid!

Professor Barclay’s extensive experience has led him to become an adviser for the BBC television series ‘Waking the Dead’ and more recently, the Channel Four documentary, Dispatches, invited Prof Barclay to Praia da Luz, Portugal to review the Portuguese police investigation into the disappearance of Madeleine McCann.

He explained: “We are hoping to explode a few myths of how Hollywood doesn’t always get the science right and see whether Stuart does. The event will also allow me to demonstrate a bit of real science and give an insight into the exciting nature of studying forensics at Robert Gordon University.”

Dr Lorna Dawson, a Principal Soil Scientist at the Macaulay Land Use Research Institute, will also be providing expert input at the event, with over 20 years experience in conducting and managing research and application in soil-plant interactions. One of the main thrusts of her work is the research and application of soil and vegetation information in forensic case work, and she has recently worked on an upcoming episode of BBC’s “Silent Witness” advising writers on forensic soil analysis in a murder story.

Lorna added: “We have a duty as scientists to communicate with the public. In Scotland, science is our future. We must attract the next generation and I hope that I can help to do that.”

Dr James Grieve, a Senior Lecturer in Forensic Medicine at the University of Aberdeen and a Police Forensic Pathologist for the North-east, will also be taking part in the event. His background in carrying out numerous post-mortem investigations and giving evidence at Fatal Accident Inquiries will complete the expert puzzle.

David Miller, Integrated Land Use Systems Group Leader at the Macaulay Institute who has been leading plans for the event said: “The event is designed to raise public understanding of the science which underpins forensics investigations, both in the real world and in crime fiction. We are delighted that it has proven to be so popular. This event will be taken to venues around Scotland over the coming year as part of Scottish Government programme of science engagement.”

ENDS

Notes to Editor:

There will be an opportunity to photograph and interview Stuart MacBride and the experts taking part in the event at 6pm this evening (Saturday 26 September) in the atrium of Robert Gordon University’s Aberdeen Business School Building, Garthdee Road, Aberdeen. Andrew Morrisson, Associate Head of the University’s School of Pharmacy and Life Sciences will be there to meet interested parties on arrival.

Katy Jones
Communications Officer
Robert Gordon University
Schoolhill
Aberdeen
AB10 1FR
Tel: 01224 262206
Mobile: 07919348494
Email: c.a.c.jones@rgu.ac.uk