Profile
Jo Dawkins
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About Me:
Hi everyone! I’m a self-confessed forensic science geek, who works at a university during the day, but I also love the outdoors which is where I spend most of my free time with my family and dog!
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In my spare time, I love hiking, kayaking and skiing – although I’m not very good at any of them!
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My pronouns are:
she/her
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My Work:
I was a Crime Scene Investigator with the Police Service in the UK, and I now research aspects of Forensic Science at University to help Investigators in their day-to-day jobs.
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As a Crime Scene Investigator (CSI), I attended various types of crime scenes, from burglaries through to murders.
I’m now an academic, specialising in criminal and forensic investigations – although my main area of research is the development of fingermarks at crime scenes, which is all down to my previous role as a CSI!
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My Typical Day:
My typical day varies a lot, as sometimes I work from home and sometimes I work at the university – it depends upon what tasks I need to complete.
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If I’m in the middle of a research project, then I will wake up at 6am (in order to make sure that my kids are ready for school!) before leaving the house at 8am. I’ll normally grab a coffee when I arrive at university before I head over to the lab to start my day of experiments. I usually meet friends at lunch time, before heading back to the lab for the afternoon. I usually finish around 4pm.
If I’m preparing for lectures then I prefer to work from home, as I’m a very nosey person and there are fewer distractions at home so I can get more work done!
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Education:
I went to a state school in a village, where I did my GCSEs and A-Levels.
I struggled with my A-Levels, but managed to get into my first-choice University and graduated with a BA (Hons) Criminology
After that I followed a path into Forensic Science, gaining a Master’s degree and then a PhD.
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Qualifications:
At School I gained
- 8 x GCSEs
- 3 A-Levels (I chose the wrong subjects for A-Level!)
Since leaving School and starting University I have gained:
- BA (Hons) in Criminology,
- Diploma in Crime Scene Investigation
- MSc Forensic Science
- PhD Fingermarks
- PGCert in Learning and Teaching
I’m also a member of various Professional Societies (both UK and International)
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Work History:
I was a Crime Scene Investigator with the Police Service
I’m now a University Lecturer and Researcher in Forensic Science
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Current Job:
I’m the Director of Undergraduate Programmes.
I teach various modules relating to Policing, Criminal Investigations and Forensic Science at both Undergraduate and Postgraduate levels.
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My Interview
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What did you want to be after you left school?
A detective
Were you ever in trouble at school?
Only in English classes as my teacher hated me, but not sure why!
If you weren't doing this job, what would you choose instead?
Probably something to do with dogs!
Who is your favourite singer or band?
The Prodigy
What's your favourite food?
Cheese
If you had 3 wishes for yourself what would they be? - be honest!
Control time (i never have enough!), Create a cure for diseases, More money!
Tell us a joke.
What did the zero say to the eight? Nice belt!
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