Annual arson demonstration at Keele

Investigating arson cases is one of the many possible roles of a Forensic Examiner. At Keele, Arson investigation is included in a final year module, and as part of this module we organise a visit annually from John Caulton, a professional fire investigator.

Our live arson investigation gives students a unique opportunity to evidence how liquid accelerants starts fires in domestic scenarios, rapidly spreads, and then dowsed, can be forensically investigated.

These outdoor practicals are used both for L6 and L7 practicals for students to learn crucial investigation skills in arson sites. L7 students also extract and analyse forensic arson trace evidence, before presenting their reports in simulated law courts as expert witnesses.

Keele University Fire Crime Scene

Undergraduate and postgraduate students talk about investigating fire scenes for criminal investigations.

School address

Lennard-Jones School of Chemical and Physical Sciences
Lennard-Jones Building
Keele University
Staffordshire
ST5 5BG, UK
Phone (School Office): +44 (0)1782 733033, (Chemistry): +44 (0)1782 731693, (Forensic Science): +44 (0)1782 731694, (Physics): +44 (0)1782 733527
Email: scps@keele.ac.uk

Information for schools and colleges

Contact us about our workshops and lecture series

Programme directors

Chemistry and Medicinal Chemistry
Dr Tess Phillips
Tel : +44 (0)1782 733038
Email : t.r.phillips@keele.ac.uk

Dr Chris Hawes
Tel : +44 (0)1782 732820
Email : c.s.hawes@keele.ac.uk

Forensic Science
Dr Jamie K. Pringle
Tel : +44 (0)1782 733163
Email : j.k.pringle@keele.ac.uk

Physics and Astrophysics
Dr Barry Smalley and Dr Joana Oliveira
Email : b.smalley@keele.ac.ukj.oliveira@keele.ac.uk

Admission tutors

Chemistry and Medicinal Chemistry
Dr Natalie Capel
Tel : +44 (0)1782 733584
Email : n.j.capel@keele.ac.uk

Forensic Science
Dr Natalie Capel
Tel : +44 (0)1782 733584
Email : n.j.capel@keele.ac.uk

Physics and Astrophysics
Dr Juliana Morbec
Email : physics@keele.ac.uk or j.morbec@keele.ac.uk