University News Last updated 10 February 2011
Child murder, honour killings and other serious, organised and complex crimes are under the spotlight in a series of criminal investigation seminars being held by Birmingham City University in conjunction with the West Midlands Police.
The first seminar takes place on February 14th and will discuss the emotive subject of child murders, making reference to the cases of Baby P, Sharon Matthews and Khyra Ishaq. The event will give senior police officers, students and academics the opportunity to share experience and knowledge and discuss the lessons that can be learnt from the investigations of these cases.
Nick Howe, Senior Lecturer in Criminal Investigation at Birmingham City University, said: “This seminar is the first of four criminal investigation seminars being led by senior detectives from some of the highest profile serious, organised and complex crimes from the past decade.
“This seminar series builds on the successful murder investigation programme we held in 2009/10 which focussed on cases such as the Fred and Rose West trial, the James Bulger case and the Ipswich prostitute murders.
“The 2011 seminar programme further reinforces Birmingham City University’s commitment to studying and researching criminal investigation. We aspire to be a centre of excellence in this regard and the seminars are evidence of our ambition and it is great that we have secured such high profile speakers.”
Dave Marshall, a former head of the Metropolitan Police will be speaking at Monday’s seminar, along with Russell Wate, one of the country’s leading experts in child murders.
“Tragically, child murders continue to re-occur. This seminar series will bring together senior staff from the criminal investigations involved in these types of crime, to enable us to discuss what lessons are being learnt from such investigations.” Nick Howe added.