THE University of Winchester became a crime scene when the departments of policing, criminology, forensics and law teamed up to create a murder mystery.

The whodunnit, part of the cathedral’s recent “Justice for All?” week, has been called a success by the university, selling out all tickets with 60 members of the public keen to become detectives for the morning.

The Body on The Podium was specially written for the occasion by Natacha Harding, head of the department of policing, criminology and forensics, who was also on hand to greet the amateur sleuths.

Hampshire Chronicle: Members of the University Forensics department at the Crime Scene House Members of the University Forensics department at the Crime Scene House (Image: RCM Agency)The bloody murder mystery centred on the demise of the dean of the faculty of law, crime and justice, Bill Davies, played by a forensic mannequin.

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His corpse was found in The Stripe auditorium, with the action then moving swiftly onto Bill's office (the University’s Crime Scene House) which was searched for clues. After that, the investigators proceeded to the forensics lab to look at fingerprints and DNA evidence before heading to the police incident room. 

The final destination was the courtroom where serving magistrate and law lecturer Sarah Dewar sat to pass sentence.

Hampshire Chronicle: One of the amateur detective teams looking for clues in the Crime Scene House One of the amateur detective teams looking for clues in the Crime Scene House (Image: RCM Agency)Every good whodunnit has a twist and this was no different - the murderer was revealed to be none other than Natacha (the author of her own downfall) whose story ended with a 27-year sentence.

Natacha was full of praise for all the academics and students who took part, as well as the investigative powers of the members of the public. She said: “I came up with the story but the whole team really brought it to life with their expertise. It was a very positive experience.

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Hampshire Chronicle: Examining the evidence in the forensics lab Examining the evidence in the forensics lab (Image: RCM Agency)“The best feedback we got was that this was better than TV because it involved real-life practitioners. A lot of people said they’d come back and do it again.”

Natacha confirmed that the event will be repeated in the future with a new storyline.

Bill Davies, dean of the faculty of law, crime and justice, said: “This event demonstrated the very high level of knowledge, enthusiasm and teamwork we have in the faculty. I’m delighted that everyone who took part had such good fun investigating my ‘death’ and that the University was able to support Winchester Cathedral’s justice week.”