Pupils from Aberdeen City and Shire are putting their maths skills under the magnifying glass this weekend (Saturday, February 24), as they discover how arithmetic can be used in a murder investigation.
Scottish Police Authority (SPA) Forensic Services will present 'The Mathematics of Blood Spatter - how trigonometry can solve a murder' this Saturday at Robert Gordon University as part of TechFest’s Maths Masterclass series.
The event will explore the formation of blood droplets in blood spatter, how the surface area and volume of spherical blood droplet can be significant and how Trigonometry can be used to calculate where blood spatter was directed from at a crime scene.
Chris Gannicliffe, who is lead forensic scientist at SPA Forensic Services, will be presenting the workshop.
He said: “Maths can be an invaluable skill in a forensic investigation. The patterns of blood spatter on a suspect’s clothing can provide clues about how a murder was committed, the weapon used and crucially, what role a suspect may have played in the crime.
“This is an interactive look at some of the analysis used by forensic scientists in a crime scene and a great introduction to anyone looking to pursue a career in forensics. We’re looking forward to working with the pupils this weekend.”
TechFest is an Aberdeen-based charity which aims to promote science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) activities to young people and the wider community.
Alies Bartelds, acting managing director of TechFest, said: “This workshop is a great example of how STEM skills learned in the classroom, like Trigonometry, can be applied in a range of jobs, including a forensic investigator.
“We’d like to thank each of our presenters who use such engaging scenarios to demonstrate their expertise and excite pupils’ interest in STEM subjects. We’d also like to thank all of the school children who have taken part in TechFest’s Maths Masterclasses so far and to The Royal Institution and Chevron for their continued support.”
The Maths Masterclasses 2017/2018 series has run since November and provides an exciting opportunity for pupils to learn different maths topics and hear from industry professionals who demonstrate how the skills can be applied to everyday life using stimulating scenarios.
Laura Atkinson, Chevron Upstream Europe’s stakeholder engagement and social investment advisor, said: “Today’s school children are Chevron’s future employees and we aim to promote the importance of STEM subjects through supporting innovative programmes such as TechFest’s Maths Masterclasses.
“The stimulating challenges developed by TechFest are key to enhancing pupils’ experience-based learning and provide valuable insight from industry professionals who inspire them to pursue STEM-based careers.”
This is one of seven masterclasses taking place in the city, with the final scheduled for Saturday, March 10.
The schools taking part in the Maths Masterclasses 2018 are Peterhead Academy, Turriff Academy, Robert Gordons College, Cults Academy, Aboyne Academy, Westhill Academy, St Margaret’s School for Girls, Ellon Academy, Northfield Academy, Aberdeen Grammar School, Buckie High School, Albyn School, Hazelhead Academy, Inverurie Academy.
Each year, TechFest runs the highly popular TechFest Science Festival which attracts tens of thousands of children and adults to a series of STEM-based events in and around Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire, as well as a year-round programme of educational events for schools and young people.
For more information, please visit www.techfestsetpoint.org.uk