TGt Meets...Russ Williams, Course Leader, Tutor and Associate Lecturer at New College

Meet our latest TGt Meets...Russ Williams, Course Leader, Tutor and Associate Lecturer at New College. We find out exactly what inspired Russ to become a teacher and what it's like to work at New College.

Tell us a little bit about yourself…

Born in Gloucester I joined the local police force as a cadet and retired over 30 years later as a Detective Sergeant in the Major Investigation Team having worked on many major enquires including the serial killers Fred and Rose West. Specialising in safeguarding and interviewing of vulnerable adults and children I soon found myself working for 6 years on a international investigation in Istanbul, Turkey interviewing victims alleging breaches of Article 2 (Right to Life) and 3 (Torture) of the Human Rights Conventions.

It was during this period that I began research in investigative interviewing and obtained a degree in Applied Investigation.

What inspired you to become a Forensic and Criminal Investigation Lecturer?

I feel very privileged that my career has provided me with many great opportunities, unique and memorable experiences whilst making a positive difference to people lives. By starting students off on the similar career pathway I hope that they too will have the same rewarding and enjoyable career.

What three things do you love the most about working at New College?

1. Seeing students develop, progress and succeed

2. Working with my supportive colleagues within a great team.

3.  Delivering a course that I feel very passionate about and which also allows me to bring alive through my own experiences.

Please tell us a little bit about what the course entails...

My colleagues, Mike Ball, Ollie Beasley and I support students in two specific areas.

Mike and Ollie address the forensic elements of the course where students in the role of forensic scientists undertake practical investigative experiments in our well-equipped labs. Science is an important element of any contemporary investigation.

I support students with both the practical elements of investigation, whether in the role of detective, traffic officer or a Crime Scene Investigator, as well as with the theoretical elements of criminology and psychology including offender profiling.

Who is the course well suited to?

As the program delivers two broad educational bases students can springboard their career aspirations into apprenticeship, employment, or Higher Education within areas of forensic science or criminal investigation.

Students can consider direct apprenticeships or employment in the various policing communities as well as private or public laboratories undertaking a variety of roles where a science or investigative qualification is required.

This program will allow students to consider a number of degree programmes such as criminology, psychology, forensic sciences, or policing allow student to progress into careers such as a forensic scientist, offender profiler, crime scene investigator, police officer or scientist.

What is your favourite part of this curriculum?

Any areas where the students are enjoying themselves! It is vitally important that students not only choose the right course to support their next steps, whether into employment or Higher Education, but that they also enjoy themselves when learning  despite the seriousness of some of the subject matter under discussion.

That said, I do enjoy the forensic traffic and crime scene practical investigations.

What are the key modules studied?

This two year Extended Diploma has both mandatory and optional units which are assessed either by assignment or examination.

The mandatory units are:

• Principles and Applications of Science
• Practical Scientific Procedures and Techniques
• Science Investigation Skills
• Forensic Investigation Procedures in Practice
• Applications of Criminology
• Criminal Investigation Procedures in Practice
• Applications of Criminal and Forensic Psychology

Optional units this year include: Forensic Genetics, Forensic Traffic and Fire Investigations as well as Forensic Photography.

To find out more about New College please visit https://www.newcollege.ac.uk/.