STUDENTS at a college in Reading had a mystery on their hands for a recent investigative exercise.
Reading College’s A-Level Criminology and Forensic Sciences students were presented with fake crime scenes as part of an extended exercise.
Three scenes were created for students to suit-up in protective gear and investigate, giving them a taste of the practicalities of crime scene investigation as part of their studies.
Those who took part examined aspects of the scenes and collected and photographed evidence, and will be taking part in simulated witness interviews and suspect interrogation shortly.
The fake serial killer will be revealed once they have concluded their investigations.
Jae Greaves, who studies A-Level Criminology, Psychology and Art at Reading College, said: “I loved it– this was my favourite lesson so far.
“I like that it’s very hands on and we have to take photos and figure it out, that we have to wait for each of the crime scenes to put all the pieces together and that they’re in different locations as well, because it means you’re not just used to the same building.
“It’s fun and it helps to put what we’ve learnt into practice. Looking at it in a textbook is very different to doing it. It also helps us to see what it would be like if it were real, which is helpful for the future.”
Artiola Brahaj, Teacher of Psychology and Criminology at Activate Learning, said: “The fake crime scenes help the students to apply their learning.
“It helps them to understand the theories that we have previously learnt about, as well as practising profiling and working out what the fake serial killer’s motivations might be.
“It also helps them to socialise and learn how to work as a team.”
More information about the educational services provided by Activate Learning and Reading College can be found via: reading.activatelearning.ac.uk
