Crime scenes in a bar, post office, and domestic home are among the scenarios featured in a new simulation facility on Keele University’s campus. 

The new crime scene simulation house will complement Keele’s existing crime scene house for Forensic Science students, and has been kitted out to simulate a variety of different settings that forensics teams might be called to, with each room equipped to simulate a wide range of scenarios. 

The new facility is now officially in use by students and has been officially opened to coincide with the 20th anniversary of forensic science being offered as a degree at Keele. 

With 50% of forensic investigations taking place in settings other than domestic homes, such as bars and retail environments, the new facility provides a chance for students to practice their skills and apply their knowledge in a controlled and realistic environment. 

The new facility also fits in with Keele’s ethos of embedding sustainability across its operations, as multiple elements within the building have been recycled from other projects to reduce the project’s impact on the environment.  

The bars have been reused from the former campus Lindsay Bar and the new Keele in Town development in Newcastle-under-Lyme, while much of the furniture has been given a new lease of life after being recycled from office spaces and accommodation on campus. 

Georgina Handley, Lecturer in Crime Scene Investigations within the Forensic Science programmes at Keele, said: “The new crime scene simulation house will provide a greater range of mock crime scenes that students can experience and allow lecturers like me to embed more realistic scenes into the curriculum. As a former crime scene investigator, I'm keen for students to encounter more authentic scenarios to develop key crime scene investigation skills as part of the Forensic Science programme.” 

Forensic Science at Keele consistently ranks highly among prestigious national league tables, and most recently was ranked in the UK Top 10 in both the Complete University Guide 2024 and Guardian University Guide 2024.