CSI Portsmouth where crime fiction meets crime fact - looking back to 2010 and forward to CSI Portsmouth 2016
Five years ago on Saturday 6 November the very first CSI Portsmouth event was held in Portsmouth, England. And in 2016 the sixth CSI Portsmouth where crime fiction meets crime fact will be held on Saturday 5 March 2016 at the Pyramids Centre, Clarence Esplanade, Southsea.
From the first CSI Portsmouth was a hit not only with the audience but with the crime authors and experts who enjoy it as much as the audience. The idea for a CSI event came to me as a result of being asked many times during my talks how I researched the forensic and police procedural aspects of my crime novels. I approached Portsmouth Library Service about holding an event aimed at bringing together crime authors and crime experts in a panel debate. They loved it and as they were also about to launch the very first Portsmouth BookFest, a fortnight long festival to celebrate the love of reading, it seemed the perfect time to stage the event.
So on Saturday 6 November 2010 a clutch of crime writers came face to face with police and forensic experts to debate fact meets fiction in a lively, entertaining event at the John Pounds Community Centre in Queens Street, Portsmouth. Tickets were sold out before the event.
In the morning June Hampson, Simon Brett and myself (Pauline Rowson) faced the crime experts, Dr Paul Smith, a crime scene expert from the Institute of Criminal Justice Studies, University of Portsmouth; Martin Chudley from Hampshire Police and Dr Claire Nee, a Forensic Psychologist also from the Institute of Criminal Justice Studies, University of Portsmouth.
The panel was expertly chaired by Cheryl Buggy a professional journalist and broadcaster and director of Portsmouth radio station, Express FM.
Cheryl also kept the afternoon panel in order. On this panel I was joined by my fellow crime authors Graham Hurley and Peter Lovesey along with experts Martin Chudley, Jane Aston, Supervisor with the Hampshire Police Fingerprint Bureau and Dr Claire Nee.
After the panel debate the audience had their chance to put their questions to the panel following which the experts were available to talk to delegates, and the authors chatted and signed copies of their crime novels for the audience. The books were provided by the official bookseller, the Hayling Island Bookshop
Since then CSI Portsmouth has gone from strength to strength. Over the coming weeks I will be featuring CSI Portsmouth, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014. There was a gap in 2015 because the Portsmouth Bookfest dates have moved. But CSI Portsmouth is back for 2016.
It is a highly informative and entertaining day if you like crime fiction, police procedure, forensic analysis and true crime then don't miss it.
From the first CSI Portsmouth was a hit not only with the audience but with the crime authors and experts who enjoy it as much as the audience. The idea for a CSI event came to me as a result of being asked many times during my talks how I researched the forensic and police procedural aspects of my crime novels. I approached Portsmouth Library Service about holding an event aimed at bringing together crime authors and crime experts in a panel debate. They loved it and as they were also about to launch the very first Portsmouth BookFest, a fortnight long festival to celebrate the love of reading, it seemed the perfect time to stage the event.
So on Saturday 6 November 2010 a clutch of crime writers came face to face with police and forensic experts to debate fact meets fiction in a lively, entertaining event at the John Pounds Community Centre in Queens Street, Portsmouth. Tickets were sold out before the event.
In the morning June Hampson, Simon Brett and myself (Pauline Rowson) faced the crime experts, Dr Paul Smith, a crime scene expert from the Institute of Criminal Justice Studies, University of Portsmouth; Martin Chudley from Hampshire Police and Dr Claire Nee, a Forensic Psychologist also from the Institute of Criminal Justice Studies, University of Portsmouth.
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CSI Portsmouth 2010 crime authors and experts morning panel, having a laugh. |
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CSI Portsmouth 2010, crime authors and experts afternoon panel |
Cheryl also kept the afternoon panel in order. On this panel I was joined by my fellow crime authors Graham Hurley and Peter Lovesey along with experts Martin Chudley, Jane Aston, Supervisor with the Hampshire Police Fingerprint Bureau and Dr Claire Nee.
After the panel debate the audience had their chance to put their questions to the panel following which the experts were available to talk to delegates, and the authors chatted and signed copies of their crime novels for the audience. The books were provided by the official bookseller, the Hayling Island Bookshop
Since then CSI Portsmouth has gone from strength to strength. Over the coming weeks I will be featuring CSI Portsmouth, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014. There was a gap in 2015 because the Portsmouth Bookfest dates have moved. But CSI Portsmouth is back for 2016.
CSI Portsmouth where crime fiction meets crime fact CSI Portsmouth 2016 is on Saturday 5 March at the Pyramids Centre, Southsea.
Tickets on sale from 1 January 2016.
It is a highly informative and entertaining day if you like crime fiction, police procedure, forensic analysis and true crime then don't miss it.
