Students set to investigate missing person cases on new GCU Cold Case Unit

Students at GCU are set to work on a brand new Cold Case Unit based in the University, aimed at investigating and reviewing unsolved missing person cases in Scotland.

Criminology students from the Social Sciences department will be collaborating with Locate International on the Cold Case Unit – a real life investigation unit which will allow students to put their knowledge into practice.

Locate International is a community interest company that works with Higher Education institutions to help aid in the investigation of cold case missing person and unidentified remains cases.

Second Year Social Sciences student Brodie Haldane knew she wanted to be a part of the Cold Case unit project when it was first advertised by Criminology Lecturer Dr Maureen Taylor. She said: “One of my modules in my course is crime, law and society so from that I was introduced to Maureen Taylor as my module leader.

She put out an email to some students she felt may be interested in joining the team. After doing some research into what the Locate team do, I knew instantly I wanted to be a part of it all.”

As someone who is interested in pursuing a career in Criminology, Brodie knew that this was an opportunity she couldn’t miss out on. She said: “When I started university, I had no idea what career path I wanted to take. However, that’s why I love Social Sciences so much - it’s so varied and there are many subjects involved in the course.

I loved Sociology at school so thought that may be the right direction. However, as soon as I started studying criminology I knew it was a subject I was genuinely passionate about. Although I still have no idea what specific career I’d like to do, I know it will be in a criminological pathway.”

She added: “When I heard about this opportunity, I knew it was something I should grab with both hands as it will give me such a good insight into potential criminology routes. It’s amazing that the University offer such opportunities as it gives you first hand, real life experience outside the classroom!”

Find out more about Locate International on their website

By Rachael McAlonan

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