On 28 October, final-year students from UCLan London studying Forensic and Clinical Psychology visited the Forensics 125: 125 Years of Forensic Science in the Metropolitan Police exhibition at the Metropolitan Police Museum in Sidcup. The visit was organised by Dr Adina Bozga as part of an ongoing commitment to providing students with engaging experiences that connect psychological theory with real-world applications.
The exhibition marks 125 years since the establishment of the Metropolitan Police Fingerprint Bureau and traces the development of forensic science, from early fingerprint identification to modern DNA analysis and other investigative techniques. Students explored a range of historical and contemporary cases, gaining insight into how forensic evidence contributes to offender identification, criminal investigations and the pursuit of justice.
For psychology students, the visit highlighted the close relationship between forensic science and the study of human behaviour. Exhibits encouraged students to consider how psychological factors such as decision-making, memory, offending behaviour and investigative processes interact with forensic evidence in criminal cases.
A particular highlight was the reconstructed crime scene, which offered students an insight into the processes of evidence gathering, observation and forensic analysis. The experience enabled students to connect concepts studied in the classroom with real examples from policing and criminal investigations.
Student Emanuela Bozhkova reflected on the experience:
"I really enjoyed visiting the Metropolitan Police: 125 Years of Forensics exhibition. I found all the cases interesting, and it was a great opportunity to learn more about how forensic science is used to investigate crimes.
The part I enjoyed the most was the room designed to look like a real murder scene, where investigators would come to examine the scene and look for evidence. I found this particularly interesting because it gave me a better idea of how a criminal investigation takes place and how important it is to pay attention to even the smallest details.
Overall, I found the visit very interesting and enjoyable, and it made me even more interested in criminal investigations and forensic science."
By combining academic learning with direct exposure to professional practice, the visit provided UCLan London students with a valuable opportunity to expand their understanding of psychology and forensic investigation, while exploring potential future career pathways.
