Forensic and Applied Biology

Caitlin Dunne secured a job as a DNA Interpretation Scientist ad Cellmark Forensic Services in Oxford, one of only three forensic analysis sites in the UK.

“I feel excited and relieved to be able to finally pursue my dream career, though filled with nervous energy with changing careers and cities within the same month as finishing university,” she said. “I feel incredibly proud of my journey, but also very humbled to have achieved this opportunity considering the competitiveness of the field.”

Caitlin is also shortly to start a Master’s degree in Forensic Anthropology and Genocide Investigation at Staffordshire University.

Read Caitlin’s full case study here.

The 21-year-old, who has graduated with a degree in Forensic Science and Applied Biology, is soon to start a graduate entry programme with West Mercia Police as a police constable. “I am sad that my university experience is now behind me, however I am looking forward to the next chapter of my life and starting a career,” she said.

Drew’s aim is to eventually become a detective. She added: “Even though this isn’t a forensic role within the police, many of the skills I have learnt throughout my course will be very valuable. When studying forensic science we also learn about the input from other roles within the police, which is what initially sparked my interest in becoming a police constable.”

Although all three years of her university experience were affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, Drew said the amount of support from lecturers made it a lot less stressful than it could have been. “Frequent video calls and emails from personal academic tutors allowed me to get help on anything I was struggling with."

Laura Owen has completed a BSc (Hons) in Forensic and Applied Biology, having returned to higher education later in life.

“Before studying at the University of Worcester, I had spent a 17-year career in childcare where I had been fortunate enough to work both here and abroad including Egypt and Portugal,” said Laura. “I decided it was time for a career change, an opportunity to step out of my comfort zone and face completely new challenges.”

“I found myself rather anxious about returning to education in my mid 30s but soon realised how supportive fellow students are of each other, along with tutors, who realise how dedicated and passionate mature students are towards their studies,” she said. “Studying at the University of Worcester was definitely one of the best decisions I have ever made.”

During her degree, Laura volunteered for two years with West Mercia Police within their Forensic Enhancement Laboratory, and after completing her studies secured the role of Forensic Scene Investigator with West Midlands Police.

"I owe a great deal of gratitude to the University of Worcester, my time spent studying on the Forensic & Applied biology course was well spent. A week after my last assignment and before I had even been to my own graduation ceremony I was employed by the UK’s largest forensic science provider.

The education I received in Worcester was the impetus that got my foot in the door.  I started my career working in the biology casework department working on a huge variety of cases. This spanned from simple cases to high profile murder cases. I then made a lateral move into the drugs department where I am now a court reporting officer. I wrote my dissertation project on the commercially notorious ‘legal highs’ that have been proliferated by the media. Now these new psychoactive substances form a large amount of the work I see on a daily basis.

During my studies I did a lot of extracurricular activities such as co-founding the student run forensic society, facilitated the training of crime scene investigators, worked on a validation project for police DNA lab, work placement in a morgue. I volunteered with victim support and then went on to become a police support volunteer helping to look for missing persons. I now come back to Worcester to lecture and discuss my expertise."