Facilities and expertise in Criminal Justice and International Relations

Blood Room

Simulate blood spatter in our Trauma Analysis facility. There are two wet rooms with resources to help you recreate a crime scene and see what kind of blood spatter occurs from different scenarios with different weapons. Resources include rails to hang materials on, paper rolls to place on the walls to record the spatter for analysis (or you can use the walls themselves), and a range of weapons and materials to simulate a physical body.

Ballistics Laboratory

The ballistics laboratory is available to examine a variety of firearms and test fire blank firing and air weapons. The rubber cladded walls, fixed firing setup and bespoke test rigs enable learners to investigate the scientific parameters influencing short range external and terminal ballistics. Examples include projectile mass, energy and shape, angle of fire, impact angle and target material.

The ballistics laboratory is used to support teaching and learning on undergraduate and postgraduate courses and research conducted at the university. For all firearms evidence that can not be produced on-site, due to licencing restrictions, we work with local firearms ranges, the Royal Armouries and NABIS, the National Ballistics Intelligence Service, to ensure students are able to gain experience with a wide variety of firearms evidence.

Mock Courtrooms

Students can present legal arguments, act as expert witnesses, or take part in mooting.

Our digitally enabled mock court rooms are designed to create simulated scenarios for students to put theory in to practice and gain confidence, skills and knowledge to take forward in to their career. 

One room is designed as a crown courtroom and the other for cases at magistrates’ court. Students can present legal arguments, act as expert witnesses, or take part in mooting. Each space includes a dock, lawyers’ area and a bench for the judge or magistrates.

The courtrooms are used by a wide range of students from different perspectives including law students, policing, forensics, international relations and more, to give practice with not only mooting but also in presenting evidence and various other aspects of trials.

In our video, learn about simulation in our Mock Court Room, used by students to practice their skills to prepare them for their future career.

Cyber/Biometrics Lab

Find out more: Networks and Cyber Security. 

Networking Labs

Find out more about our networking facilities. 

Science Centre

Find out more about our Science Centre Facilities. 

Lifelike living space

Bedrooms:

The bedroom has an en-suite bathroom and is used for simulated crime scenes where students can practise investigative skills or social work and healthcare can use the space for urgent situations and interviews.

Lounges:

The lounges have a homely feel, with comfy furniture and framed photos. Students can use these spaces for policing or forensic investigations. Social work and healthcare can also use the space for realistic interviews and clinical emergencies.

Bathroom:

The bathroom provides a lifelike backdrop for students to practise their skills. It can be used a range of simulation scenarios, such as domestic crime scenes or clinical emergencies.

Bedsit:

With a kitchen diner, bedroom and bathroom, the bedsit provides a lifelike backdrop for students to practise their skills. Scenarios can range from gathering evidence at simulated crime scenes to dealing with clinical emergencies.

Custody suite

Other features include equipment for measuring height and taking fingerprints and custody photos, along with evidence bags and lockers for personal belongings.

Prison cell

Shop simulation space

They can also learn about retail law and deal with medical emergencies that occur to customers in the retail space. The space includes shelves, a counter and a small café. It’s ideal for simulated commercial crime scenes, where students can collect evidence and speak to witnesses or victims. They can also learn about retail law and deal with medical emergencies that occur to customers in the retail space.

Office simulation space

Students from a range of courses can also practise their interview skills using an appropriate scenario. 

Outdoor simulation space