Celebrating International Women and Girls in Science – February 11th, 2025

This International Women and Girls in Science Day, we celebrate the outstanding contributions of women in science, particularly within policing. This year, we are proud to shine a spotlight on Forensic Services here at Dyfed-Powys Police, a team of dedicated professionals whose expertise plays a crucial role in securing justice for victims and ensuring that offenders are held accountable.

Forensic Services encompasses a wide range of specialist departments including:

• Crime Scene Investigation
• Digital Forensic Unit
• Forensic Collison Investigation
• Quality Management Team
• Scientific Support Unit

Each department is vital in supporting investigations and producing evidence that often proves decisive in the courtroom. From crime scene investigators who attend over 100 crime scenes a month meticulously gathering and documenting evidence, to the Scientific Support Unit, who processed more than 1000 submissions in 2024 enabling key traces to be identified that may link suspects to crimes, forensic work is integral to the success of criminal investigations.

The team also includes digital forensics specialists, who recover critical evidence from computers, phones, and other electronic devices. These are regularly processed fast-time, with the unit accepting over 100 urgent submissions in 2024.

Forensic Collision Investigators attend all serious and fatal RTCs, gathering evidence and interpreting the scene to provide accurate evidence to the CPS or Coroner. All technical areas are overseen by the Quality Management Team who ensure that all statutory requirements are being met in line with the UKAS accreditation held by Dyfed-Powys Police since 2014.

💬 SSU Senior Manager Rebecca Callaghan said: “During my 15-year career in forensics there has been a clear increase in women working within the field, with Dyfed-Powys Forensic Services now at an excellent approximate 50/50 split of male and female staff. Our teams are relentlessly working behind the scenes to ensure that justice is served, their expertise and dedication help transform the raw materials of crime scenes into actionable evidence that can make all the difference in securing positive court outcomes. From meticulously analysing digital evidence to reconstructing crime scenes, forensic staff are at the forefront of modern policing, applying their expertise and dedication to make communities safer.

“We encourage women and girls with an interest in science to consider the dynamic and fulfilling opportunities within policing. From digital forensics to crime scene analysis, there are numerous ways to apply your scientific skills in a profession that makes a really impact on our communities.

“We also want to thank the incredible women within Forensic Services and across all areas of policing, whose hard work and professionalism are essential in helping us achieve positive outcomes for victims and communities alike.”

Register your interest to keep up to date with any future vacancies to join us in Dyfed-Powys Police.