Lego crime scenes, forensic investigators and cutting-edge virtual reality technology coming to the Hutton for Aberdeen Science Festival
The James Hutton Institute is set to host three fantastic events this September as part of Aberdeen Science Festival– with visitors invited to explore Lego crime scenes, take part in an interactive forensic investigation and experience cutting-edge virtual reality technology.
The events are to be hosted at the Hutton Hub, a new multi-million-pound development within the institute’s Craigiebuckler campus.
The Hub is yet to formally open its doors to the public; however, these events will give visitors a chance to preview the creative spaces and elite facilities which have been provided to help achieve a Just Transition to Net Zero in both the Northeast and Scotland as a whole.
Powered by Scottish STEM charity TECHFEST, Aberdeen Science Festival is a celebration of the incredible scientific research and innovation happening in Aberdeen. Two of the Hutton events, titled From Crime Scene to Court and Murder at the Boutique Hotel, focus on forensic science, biology and soil science, while the other, Using Virtual Reality to support a Just Transition, focuses on the innovative technology in the Hub and how it can be used to aid a Just Transition.
Full details are as follows:
- Murder at the Boutique Hotel – Monday 22 September at 1pm: Join Professor Lorna Dawson and the SCAnDi team – an experienced group of forensics experts – as they explore a Lego crime scene and build evidence brick by brick to solve the murder at the Boutique Hotel. Attendees will learn about the types of biological evidence commonly gathered by forensic scientists and how DNA profiles are used to catch a culprit. This event is 12+, however viewer discretion is advised as explicit material may be mentioned. All children must be accompanied by an adult.
- From Crime Scene to Court – Monday 22 September at 7pm: Using single cell sorting, artificial intelligence, 3D printing and whole genome sequencing, Professor Lorna Dawson and the SCAnDi team have created a new approach to identify suspects from mixed samples when only trace amounts of biomaterial can be recovered from a crime scene. In this interactive forensic investigation, this expert group will determine the who, what, where and when of a fictional crime while exploring the future of forensic investigation. BBC’s Fiona Stalker will lead the investigation and will also chair an interactive panel debate after the case investigation. This event is 18+ and may include explicit material. While all scenarios and images involved are fictional, viewer discretion is advised.
- Using Virtual Reality to support a Just Transition – Wednesday 24 September at 6pm: In this evening event, Professor Lee-Ann Sutherland, Head of the International Land Use Centre (ILUSC), will showcase the new facilities available at the Hutton Hub and explain the cutting-edge research in land use and environmental science produced by the ILUSC team. Attendees will get the chance to participate in scientific experiments using virtual reality and learn how both the ILUSC and Hutton Hub are supporting a Just Transition for Scotland’s North East. This event is 12+ and refreshments are included.
Tickets for Monday’s events are £3 for concessions, while tickets for Wednesday are £6 for adults and £4 for concessions.
Bookings can be made in advance on the Aberdeen Performing Arts website.
