CSI Portsmouth scores a hit with the audience

I was delighted to welcome over a hundred people to the sixth CSI Portsmouth on a chilly March day in Portsmouth to hear crime authors, police and forensic experts debate crime fiction and crime fact. CSI Portsmouth 2016 saw a great line up taking part in two panel events during the day on 5 March at the Pyramids Centre, Southsea. 



Pauline Rowson welcoming audience to CSI Portsmouth 2016


On the morning panel, award winning crime writer Elly Griffiths, author of the series featuring forensic archaeologist Dr Ruth Galloway, joined me (author of the DI Andy Horton crime novels set in the Solent area and the Art Marvik marine thrillers) and crime experts Simon Mound, a crime scene investigator with Hampshire Police’s Scientific Services Department with expertise in the recovery of firearms and the examination of firearm related crime scenes, and Jonathan Smith, a forensic scientist with expertise in the examination of blood and body fluids, hairs, fibres, botany and wood fragment identification and adviser to many UK Police forces.  



Pauline Rowson introducing panel guests CSI Portsmouth 2016, Elly Griffiths, Simon Mound, Jonathan Smith

The Hampshire Police Fingerprint Bureau were also present and delegates were able to have their fingerprint taken and pressed into a keepsake keyring to take away. 


Taking Fingerprints at CSI Portsmouth 2016 - Hampshire Police Fingerprint Bureau


Victor the victim and the crime scene at CSI Portsmouth 2016 looking the worse for wear

 
 Also present were students on the Forensic Science Course at South Downs College, who came armed with a mock up crime scene including a victim, Victor, the dummy. 

I introduced the event and put the morning panel through their paces with a series of questions that covered crime scene investigations, blood pattern analysis, the recovery and use of DNA at crime scenes and in trials and much more. 


Simon Mound Hampshire Police Crime Scene Investigator answering a question


I also quizzed fellow crime author Elly Griffiths about how she researches and writes her crime novels. 

Elly Griffiths and Pauline Rowson at CSI Portsmouth 2016

 

The audience were then able to put their own questions to the panel and this was followed by a book signing and the chance for the audience to talk individually to the panel guests.

Book signing Pauline Rowson at CSI Portsmouth 2016


The afternoon panel comprised of Will Sutton, a musician, playwright an author of historical mysteries in Victorian London who quizzed crime author and crime expert Diana Bretherick, a former criminal barrister and now a lecturer in criminology and criminal justice at the University of Portsmouth, and Hampshire based crime author  J. S Law, a former Royal Navy officer. 


Jonathan Smith answering a panel question at CSI Portsmouth 2016


CSI Portsmouth 2016 was again highly informative and entertaining. My thanks to the panel guests, Hampshire Constabulary, Portsmouth Library Service and to the audience for coming.’ 

The bookshop was provided by the Hayling Island Bookshop.  CSI Portsmouth 2016, is part of Portsmouth BookFest, a festival of popular literature organised by Portsmouth City Council Library Service.  Its aim to promote reading for pleasure and enthusiasm for literature in the city of Portsmouth.

There are now twelve in the DI Andy Horton series, and the second in the Art Marvik marine thriller series, Dangerous Cargo is to be published in May 2016..



 

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