PW_4_2025

Professional Development

Modern Forensic Methods Gimborn August 2025 By Andy Oldham I retired in 2023, having completed just over 30 years both as a Special Constable and then as a regular with Surrey Police, transferring to the Met for my last five years. In my time I did all manner of uniformed roles, ending up as a full-time tactical firearms commander. S ince retiring I’ve started a business as a police advisor/ consultant to film and TV companies and have already done some interesting pieces of work for BBC, ITV and Sky productions. I’m

conscious though that I have a knowledge gap when it comes to forensic investigations and so signed up to attend this course at the IPA’s castle in Gimborn. I last attended Gimborn in November 2004 when I gave a presentation about the Special Constabulary. The castle looks as splendid as ever, especially in the warm sunshine which made the week even better! This week-long course attracted delegates from Germany (Federal Police and Bonn City Police), Cyprus and Romania (various CID, forensic and police departments) plus the lone representative from the UK - me! During the week, we heard presentations about methods for lifting fingerprint marks from organic substances (fruit, leaves, even human skin), and an interesting case study from Romania, where a murder suspect was identified through clothing marks left in mud at the scene.

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POLICE WORLD Vol 70 No.4, 2025