06 Hot cases


Shows such as CSI and Silent Witness have made forensic science sexy and for journalists its secrets can be a rich vein for stories


F


orensic science can be rich fund of material for journalists, says Professor Allan


Jamieson, so gaining an


understanding of the role it plays in crime and miscarriages of justice can be extremely useful. Professor Jamieson, founder of the


Forensic Institute in Glasgow, is a media-savvy scientist who has been associated with many high-profile cases and as an adviser to TV shows such as Waking the Dead, one of the many series which have made it a sexy subject. Te institute has been involved in


defence work for thousands of cases, from the Omagh bombing to the death of Princess Diana, and Professor Jamieson was called in by supporters of Jeremy Bamber to review evidence that convicted him of blasting five family members to death.


He has also been vocal in lobbying


for greater scrutiny of police files, including DNA samples, which are kept secret, he says, by the Scotish Police Authority. Professor Jamieson has been running training workshops for NUJ Scotland Training for crime


writers and would-be crime scribes and sessions on forensic science. “Journalists oſten tackle a huge range of subjects, so having some basic science knowledge is going to be helpful,” he said. “It’s also good to have a refresher, as new techniques and forensic process are developing all the time. It’s journalists who get to explain to the public subjects such as Covid and climate change, so geting this grounding is vital. It’s about knowing what questions to ask and where to seek expert advice.” Te NUJ Scotland Training session uses examples of good science, bad science, good journalism and downright bad journalism to get over the message and Professor Jamieson is able to draw on the many and varied cases he has been involved with. Te morning session introduces the principles and practices used in forensic practice, such as crime scene examination, fingerprints and DNA, while the aſternoon session is more interactive and focused on actual experiences in real cases. • NUJ Training Scotland has a


huge range of online professional development courses and workshops.


Fast skills Fridays


Tese end-of-week, hour-long training NUJ Training Wales sessions cover a huge range of subjects, from using graphic design platform Canva to writing a speech, and have been a hugely popular way for members to keep their professional knowledge up to date and discover new skills. Tey cost just £2 for NUJ members resident in Wales and £10 for non-resident members. Rachel Howells, NUJ Cymru


training project manager, said: “Tese sessions are a great way to gain a new skill in a very short time, and are designed to fit in to a busy working day or a lunch hour. We have lots of repeat learners so we’re also building a lovely community of freelancers, journalists and comms professionals. We always welcome new learners, and if you have any ideas for workshops you’d like us to run, or tips for great tutors we could invite, then please drop me a line.” Te website has a huge range on online guides and resources. Find out more.


TRAINING


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