Bridging the Law and Forensic Science Divide

In this chapter, the authors trace the roots of this disappointment, considering the opportunities for cross-disciplinary teaching and learning across law and forensic science in the academy. Drawing upon domestic research, and a study of the Canadian educational landscape in this space, the authors posit that, despite continued calls externally for greater educational collaboration between law and forensic science, United Kingdom academics face structural and cultural obstacles to meaningful cooperation. The authors received funding from the University of Leeds in 2009 to commence a project to facilitate the building of vital connections in the academy, to ensure that legal and forensic science undergraduate education was “fit for purpose”. Casting an eye internationally to seek solutions to problems can often be beneficial, particularly when issues affect many nations similarly, so following the 2009 workshop and report the authors ventured further afield for inspiration.