大象传媒 Scotland - 大象传媒 Scotland - 鈥業t鈥檚 not like CSI鈥� 鈥� why Silent Witness adviser Professor Lorna Dawson wants us to learn the secrets of forensic science

鈥業t鈥檚 not like CSI鈥� 鈥� why Silent Witness adviser Professor Lorna Dawson wants us to learn the secrets of forensic science

8 May 2019

Professor Lorna Dawson believes in sharing what she knows. As principal soil scientist at Aberdeen’s James Hutton Institute she expertly understands how earth can leave its mark on people and places.

Professor Lorna Dawson

She’s been involved in solving high profile crimes including the infamous World’s End case, but Professor Dawson doesn’t limit her expertise to real-life crime investigations; she also shares her knowledge with creators of fiction.

She has acted as an adviser on Silent Witness and consults with best-selling writers including Rebus creator Ian Rankin and Shetland’s Ann Cleeves.

It’s all because of her desire for the public to understand just what science can achieve – and how it can be applied in the pursuit of justice.

The speed dating dinner for crime writers and forensic experts

Professor Lorna Dawson reveals how she shares her knowledge of forensic science.

Professor Dawson explained her reasoning on Stark Talk:

“The more that we can engage with the public, that they understand just how much that particular science can assist the court – as well as the uncertainties and limitations associated with it – then they’re making better decisions when ultimately they’re deciding whether someone’s guilty or not.”

Her work is also important, she believes, in order to debunk ideas formed from watching flashy crime dramas in which forensic matches are made in minutes.

“Some of these programmes make it look so dramatic,” said Professor Dawson. “That does not happen.”