15.02.05
University Technology Helps Police Solve Murders

Cutting edge mining research technology in Cornwall is being used to link suspects to crime scenes. QEMSCAN, a sophisticated computer-controlled electron scanning microscope, has been installed at the recently completed Tremough campus near Penryn. The instrument is one of only 16 in existence and is the only one to be found in a university anywhere in the world. QEMSCAN is operated by the Camborne School of Mines (CSM), part of the University of Exeter in Cornwall, which shares Tremough with Falmouth College of Arts as part of the Combined Universities in Cornwall (CUC) initiative.

It was bought using some of the £65 million secured by the CUC partnership, including major investment from Objective One and the South West of England Regional Development Agency, and epitomises the forward-thinking nature of the project.

QEMSCAN is the flagship of Camborne School of Mines' new £1.5 million microbeam analytical facility which also includes a state-of-the-art electron microprobe. As well as the mining samples it was originally developed to analyse, the equipment is now being used to study air samples, contaminated land and volcanic dust, and is even being employed in archaeological research and police forensic investigations.

Dr Duncan Pirrie, Reader in Geology, said: "This instrument is an absolute coup for Cornwall, but without the investment made in CUC by Objective One and the RDA, we would not have it. There was an overwhelming case for the use of this technology for the development of businesses in the South West. It gives huge spinout opportunities using this technology; we are already looking at exciting potential uses in the oil and gas sectors."

Dr Matthew Power, QEMSCAN Business Fellow whose post has also been funded through the CUC initiative, explained that QEMSCAN works by rapidly scanning an electronic beam over any non-organic sample and analysing resultant x-rays to identify mineral composition. Each analysis takes just five milliseconds. It is also entirely automated so can operate 24 hours a day and takes just an hour to perform tasks that would previously have taken human researchers days.

The police were quick to appreciate QEMSCAN's potential. Dr Pirrie explained: "Profiling soils allows an evidential link to be made between a suspect and a crime scene." Dr Pirrie now regularly gives evidence in court and QEMSCAN is currently being used in 10 murder investigations. It has already helped to convict two suspects."

Dr Pirrie said "There are clearly business opportunities both for existing South West businesses and also to bring international companies to Cornwall for access to the technology. Several businesses are interested in buying time on it and others want to sponsor students to work with QEMSCAN because there is a huge shortage of people able to use this new technology. We have been able to use investment from the Objective One ESF (European Social Fund) for a research and development programme that funded one student for two to three years. The other part that is critical for us is developing new uses for QEMSCAN. At the moment we are looking at Bronze Age pottery and we are working with Cambridge University to research volcanic dusts."

Stephen Bohane, head of operations for the South West RDA in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, said: "QEMSCAN is a very real example of how the RDA's £12.78 million investment in the CUC is being used to drive the transfer of knowledge from Higher Education to local businesses. Companies in Cornwall could only dream of being able to access this new technology in the past and now it is available on their doorstep."

Alongside its research programmes at Tremough, the University of Exeter in Cornwall offers Honours and Masters degrees in Biology/Conservation, English, Environmental Science, Geography, Geology, Mining Engineering, and Renewable Energy.

For more information, please contact David Kirk in the CUC PR &

Communications Office:
Telephone: 01326 370471
Mobile: 07834 676942
Email: david.kirk@cuc.ac.uk

*The Combined Universities in Cornwall initiative is the Objective One Programme's flagship project.

Editor's notes:

The Combined Universities in Cornwall is a dynamic and visionary partnership that is one of the driving forces behind Cornwall's renaissance. This partnership combines the Universities of Exeter and Plymouth, Falmouth College of Arts, The Open University, The College of St Mark & St John, and the Peninsula Medical School, with Cornwall's Further Education colleges - Cornwall College, Truro College and Penwith College. It aims not only to provide the students of the future with more choice and greater opportunities, but also to boost the economic fortunes of the region for the benefit of one and all.

The CUC initiative has been invested in by the Objective One Partnership for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, the South West Regional Development Agency, Cornwall County Council and the Higher Education Funding Council for England.

Contact:

For more information, please contact David Kirk in the CUC PR & Communications Office.

Tel: 01326 370471 Mobile: 07834676942 or Email: david.kirk@cuc.ac.uk

Clare Morgan
Media Relations Manager
Objective One Partnership Office
Castle House
Pydar Street
Truro TR1 2UD
Mobile: 07973 813647
Telephone: 01872 223439

cmorgan@cornwall.gov.uk

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