Crime Scene (360G-Wellcome-079049_Z_06_Z)

Crime Scene Two groups from Harlaw Academy aged 12-15 years will work alongside a Forensic Scientist, and staff from the City Councils Museums and Galleries/Cultural Services Teams, with support from Grampian Police Partnership Development Officer, to create a site specific art installation piece on the theme of forensic science. The aim of the project will be to inform and engage young people in forensic science, explore its role and subsequent implications on contemporary culture in western society. This will be done in a variety of ways relying heavily on the expertise of the forensic anthropologists, archaeologists and police who will relate their experiences in the field and use local examples of criminal cases which were resolved using forensic techniques. The artists from the Arts Development team, part of the Cultural Services Team at Aberdeen City Council, will guide the groups from Harlaw Academy in their exploration of forensic science and create work which will cover anatomy, physiognomy, anthropology, osteology and archaeology. The groups will also work with a storyteller/creative writer to devise their own story which the forensic installation site will be based around and installed in Aberdeen Art Gallery. Whilst working with the artists the groups will continue to interact with police, archaeologists and scientists so that their expertise is ongoing. Amongst the techniques the groups and artists will use are glass (for casting/slumping 3D models) and photography (both documentary and forensic). Curatorial Staff from Aberdeen Art Gallery will facilitate the groups in the curation of the subsequent exhibition, and an event will be held to show and publicise which larger numbers of young people will be invited to participate in. The work will be available to the Wellcome Trust for exhibition in related venues.