Mostly Murder, 1935: Cases from Edinburgh’s Forensic Medicine Archives

Course Times & Enrolment

(Code SN141-201) Course dates: Sat 16th and Sun 17th March 2024, 10:00 - 13:00. G38, Paterson's Land, Holyrood Campus • Tutor: Laura Sinfield HND, BA, MSc, PhD

Please call us to enrol on this course

(Code SN141-301) Saturday, 27 April and Sunday, 28 April, 10:00-13:00 (2 classes) G38 Paterson's Land, Holyrood Campus • Tutor: Laura Sinfield HND, BA, MSc, PhD

This course is now closed for enrolments

Course Summary

A classic case from 1935 of sudden, unexplained death. How many bodies are there, who are the victims and how have they died? During Mostly Murder 1935, we will explore archive material not readily available to the public – you won’t find this online!

Course Details

Pre-requisites for enrolment

No previous knowledge required. Each ‘Mostly Murder’ course is a stand-alone, but there may be some overlap in the descriptions of historic methods between courses.

Content of Course

Examination of a classic unexplained death investigation from 1935, with connections to the Forensic Medicine Department of the University of Edinburgh.

The course teacher uses their own experience of forensic science to help explain how past cases were investigated and solved.

The course will delve into forensic medicine and forensic science; and put each case into its social context.

Wherever possible, original information and images will be used from archive sources not readily accessible by the public.

Class discussions will include questioning of how modern media presents this type of historical case.

Learning outcomes

On completion of this course, students will be able to:

Describe how forensic medicine and science were used in the past.
Appreciate the relationship between evidence and opinion.
Critically assess the validity of how historical cases are presented to the public.

Queries

If you have questions regarding the course or enrolment, please contact COL Reception at Paterson's Land by email COL@ed.ac.uk or by phone 0131 650 4400.

Student support

If you have a disability, learning difficulty or health condition which may affect your studies, please let us know by ticking the 'specific support needs' box on your course application form. This will allow us to make appropriate adjustments in advance and in accordance with your rights under the Equality Act 2010. For more information please visit the Student Support section of our website.