University

21 Apr 09

A chemistry laboratory was turned into a forensic science lab as the students tested samples of the suspects’ clothing.

Sixty young sleuths from across the south east have been investigating a ‘Murder in the cloisters’ at Oxford University.

The fourteen and fifteen year olds were taking part in a free spring residential activity at the University last week when the peace of Pembroke College quad was shattered. A researcher was found dead and the visiting students had to try to crack the case and uncover the murderer.

The students stayed at Pembroke College and took part in a series of subject sessions, visiting the University’s libraries, lecture theatres, and museums. There were tasters of subjects they are unlikely to study at school, including learning Syriac with the Faculty of Oriental Studies, and a chemistry lab was turned into a forensic science facility as the students explored samples from suspects’ clothing.

The students had to remain vigilant throughout the three-day course as a second murder took place at a formal dinner on the second night.

The new skills and knowledge they picked up proved invaluable in their bid to find the killer, as they translated love letters in Syriac and questioned the suspects. Most of the student groups successfully identified the two killers before the detective revealed all in the dénouement on the final afternoon.

The aim of the ‘Murder in the cloisters’ residential is to give students a taste of university life, including both the academic and social side of life at Oxford. It is run by Oxford University as part of the AimHigher summer schools programme.

Sinead Gallagher, Access Officer at Oxford University, said: ‘It’s a fun and unusual way to explore the University. Hopefully the murder won’t put some of them off applying in the future!’