Inside Forensic Science

Inside Forensic Science tells the story of a crime scene investigation through the eyes of forensic scientists. This first series focuses on a historical unsolved murder case from 1912 and asks forensic scientists ‘what would you do differently today?' The podcast was commissioned by the Leverhulme Research Centre for Forensic Science (LRCFS) at the University of Dundee. LRCFS works to disrupt conventional thinking, embrace new opportunities, and drive innovation that enables reliable science to be used in the delivery of justice. Join the discussion in our Facebook group. The series is narrated by Pennie Latin, the researcher was Heather Doran (Public Engagement Manager, LRCFS) and the consultant was Pauline Mack (Digital Learning Technology Lead, LRCFS). The podcast was funded by The Leverhulme Trust.

The battered body lay at the bottom of the staircase in a Broughty Ferry mansion house near Dundee. Over 100 years later the murderer hasn't been found. In this first episode, Pennie Latin introduces the scene through the words of Sergeant John Forbes who was the first person to see the body of Miss Jean Milne. From there we speak with a range of experts who are involved with the process of examining and protecting a crime scene including Professors Niamh Nic Daeid and Lucina Hackman from the Leverhulme Research Centre for Forensic Science at the University of Dundee, Detective Constable Helen Ireland, Alex Prentice QC and Jo Millington a forensic scientist who specialises in blood stain pattern analysis. Through their words we explore what evidence was visible, how it might be useful to solving the crime and the relationships between the professionals involved in an investigation. Join us on Facebook to see further resources and discuss the podcast or visit our website.  Inside Forensic Science is an Adventurous Audio Ltd production for the Leverhulme Research Centre for Forensic Science (LRCFS) at the University of Dundee and was funded by The Leverhulme Trust. The series is narrated by Pennie Latin, the researcher was Heather Doran (Public Engagement Manager, LRCFS) and the consultant was Pauline Mack (Digital Learning Technology Lead, LRCFS).

Broughty Ferry 1912, a wealthy single woman is found murdered in her hallway. But who was Jean Milne and what do we know about this Tayside town that might help understand more about how she lived and what may have led to her murder? In this episode, we return to the witness statements from the time to understand more about Jean Milne and her life in and around Dundee in 1912. Commander Dave McLaren from the Metropolitan Police Service and Crime Scene Manager Helen Ireland explain why a broader understanding of the victim is important to any investigation and how digital forensics can play a role today. You can find further discussion and resources for the podcast on Facebook or at the Leverhulme Research Centre for Forensic Science (LRCFS). The readings were by Mark Stephen, Dan Holland, Roy Templeton, Lynsey Moyes and Charles Quinnell. The series is narrated by Pennie Latin, the researcher was Heather Doran (Public Engagement Manager, LRCFS) and the consultant was Pauline Mack (Digital Learning Technology Lead, LRCFS). Inside Forensic Science is an Adventurous Audio Ltd production for the Leverhulme Research Centre for Forensic Science at the University of Dundee and was funded by The Leverhulme Trust.

This bonus material contains further details of the British Association meeting that was held in Dundee in 1912 and what the Leverhulme Research Centre for Forensic Science at the University of Dundee is trying to achieve today. In this extract, you hear from Matthew Jarron, Curator of Museum Services at the University of Dundee and Professor Niamh Nic Daeid, Director of the Leverhulme Research Centre for Forensic Science at the University of Dundee.

Jean's battered body is removed from the house and taken for autopsy. What can forensic science of 1912 tell us about how this independent wealthy woman from Broughty Ferry was murdered? We return to the crime scene and look in more detail at the process of preserving evidence – what was carried out in 1912 and what would be expected in an investigation today? What can the body tell us about what happened and what are the limitations of what can be determined from an autopsy? Dr Kerryanne Shearer, Forensic Pathologist discusses with Pennie Latin.    CONTENT WARNING: Please note that this episode does deal with some sensitive topics relating to the autopsy.  For further discussion and resources relating to the podcast please head to our Facebook discussion group. Inside Forensic Science is an Adventurous Audio Ltd production for the Leverhulme Research Centre for Forensic Science (LRCFS) at the University of Dundee and was funded by The Leverhulme Trust. The series is narrated by Pennie Latin, the researcher was Heather Doran (Public Engagement Manager, LRCFS) and the consultant was Pauline Mack (Digital Learning Technology Lead, LRCFS).  

Now we know the cause of death of Miss Jean Milne we return to the witness reports and the crime scene to determine how forensic science experts and the investigation team work backwards to create a timeline to determine the date of death. This episode discusses a potentially important piece of evidence that was found at the scene.  CONTENT WARNING: This episode looks at content relating to murder and what happens to a body after death has taken place. For further discussion and resources relating to the podcast please visit our Facebook group. Speakers in this episode include Professor Lucina Hackman from the Leverhulme Research Centre for Forensic Science, Detective Constable Helen Ireland, Forensic Pathologist Kerryann Shearer, Alex Prentice QC, Commander Dave McLaren from the Metropolitan Police Service, fingerprint expert Caroline Gibb and Jo Millington a forensic scientist who specialises in blood stain pattern analysis reveals a key piece of evidence from the scene.  Inside Forensic Science is an Adventurous Audio Ltd production for the Leverhulme Research Centre for Forensic Science (LRCFS) at the University of Dundee and was funded by The Leverhulme Trust. The series is narrated by Pennie Latin, the researcher was Heather Doran (Public Engagement Manager, LRCFS) and the consultant was Pauline Mack (Digital Learning Technology Lead, LRCFS).

This bonus material contains further details on the topic of fingerprint evidence. Presented by Caroline Gibb who is a fingerprint expert. For further discussion and resources relating to the podcast please visit our Facebook group. Inside Forensic Science is an Adventurous Audio Ltd production for the Leverhulme Research Centre for Forensic Science (LRCFS) at the University of Dundee and was funded by The Leverhulme Trust. The series is narrated by Pennie Latin, the researcher was Heather Doran (Public Engagement Manager, LRCFS) and the consultant was Pauline Mack (Digital Learning Technology Lead, LRCFS).

As the case starts to come together we dig deeper into what scientific advancements have allowed us to detect at crime scenes and whether forensic science can place a person at the scene of a crime. This episode takes a closer look at a possible suspect and DNA evidence - a key difference in the forensic science toolbox between 1912 and now. Speakers in this episode include Professor Niamh Nic Daeid from the Leverhulme Research Centre for Forensic Science at the University of Dundee and Amanda Pirie, lead forensic scientist for major crime at the Scottish Police Authority. Inside Forensic Science is an Adventurous Audio Ltd production for the Leverhulme Research Centre for Forensic Science (LRCFS) at the University of Dundee and was funded by The Leverhulme Trust. The series is narrated by Pennie Latin, the researcher was Heather Doran (Public Engagement Manager, LRCFS) and the consultant was Pauline Mack (Digital Learning Technology Lead, LRCFS).  

The evidence has been collected and the analysis completed. What happens next with the only suspect in the case of Miss Jean Milne? Was there enough evidence to prosecute and what do the experts today think of the conclusion? Inside Forensic Science is an Adventurous Audio Ltd production for the Leverhulme Research Centre for Forensic Science (LRCFS) at the University of Dundee and was funded by The Leverhulme Trust. The series is narrated by Pennie Latin, the researcher was Heather Doran (Public Engagement Manager, LRCFS) and the consultant was Pauline Mack (Digital Learning Technology Lead, LRCFS).