Forensic Toxicology by Research MSc

Hear from current students

The School of Applied Sciences at BU is renowned for its academic offering in the realm of forensics, reinforced by its ability to build, maintain and leverage a wide network of forensic experts that continuously contribute towards the development of knowledge.

As a forensic student I can testify to the benefit of ‘expert involvement’ in terms of better appreciating scientific methodologies, techniques and understanding how these have been shaped or influenced by their experiences. This year we’ve had the pleasure of receiving a guest lecture from the soon-to-be OBE Professor John Hunter – a forensic archaeologist whom I’m delighted to say is being honoured this year on the Queen’s Birthday List.

Hunter has worked on various homicide investigations - most notably the Moors Murders, works actively on war crime commissions and is vice chair of the Institute of Field archaeologists. His lecture covered the techniques used for search and recovery and his experiences whilst working on mass graves, which evoked inspiration and aspiration amongst the students hanging on every word.

Two further BU associated experts are also being honoured in the Queen’s Birthday List. These include the genius CRANID creator and forensic anthropologist and archaeologist Professor Richard Wright AM and Alison Anderson MBE – the deputy mortuary services manager in the greater Glasgow region. Both contribute to the teaching at BU in the form of master classes and guest lectures, and are undoubtedly a great pool of knowledge for us as students.

The opportunity of meeting, hearing and learning from experts of this calibre is what ensures the School of Applied Sciences’ highly respected position in forensic academia. Some of our own resident lecturers are involved in similar activities, and in future years we’ll undoubtedly remember them as worthy honoraries of the Queen’s Birthday List too.

Orla O Meara - forensic masters student