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About
Wildlife crime threatens biodiversity across the globe – but forensic science is a powerful tool in the fight to stop it.
Go beyond TV crime myths, magnifying glasses and Sherlock Holmes, and discover how real forensic techniques are used to investigate wildlife crime, focusing on the illegal poaching of bears in Europe. From the crime scene to the courtroom, forensic science answers the crucial questions of what happened, where, when and how – even in cases with limited resources.
This talk explores how microscopic analysis of bear hair can play an important part in a poaching investigation, identify species and link suspects to illegal activity. Drawing on cutting‑edge research from a major European project, Nature First, you'll hear how scientists are transforming the investigation of bear poaching, a long standing challenge in countries such as Romania and Bulgaria. You'll even get the chance to examine hairs from the museum's own Boris the Bear under the microscope yourself!
Led by Prof Claire Gwinnett, alongside researcher Hayden Leigh, this fascinating talk offers a rare insight into the science behind wildlife crime investigations – and how tiny traces can make a big difference.
About the speakers:
Prof Claire Gwinnett is a Professor in Forensic and Environmental Science and Director of the Centre of Crime, Justice and Security at University of Staffordshire and also a National Geographic Explorer. With 20 years in the field she leads research and training in wildlife crime investigations, working with rangers, law enforcement, government and forensic veterinarians globally.
Hayden Leigh is a recent graduate of the University of Staffordshire, where they specialised in wildlife crime and animal hair analysis. Their work focused on developing and implementing a method for profiling hairs across the entire body of an animal, as well as evaluating the use of taxidermy exhibits as a source of forensic reference data, ahead of beginning a master's degree at the same institution.
Book Tickets
Guide Prices
| Ticket Type | /Ticket Tariff |
|---|---|
| Ticket | £6.30 per ticket |
Note: Prices are a guide only and may change on a daily basis.
Book Tickets Online
Map & Directions
Road Directions
The Museum of Chelmsford is located on Moulsham Street, near the junction with New London Road. We have a free car park at Museum of Chelmsford, with space for Blue Badge holders. Maximum stay is two hours.
More car parking options include:
Moulsham Street
CM2 0LF, 170 spaces
https://www.chelmsford.gov.uk/parking-and-travel/car-parks/moulsham-street-car-park/
Parkway
CM2 0DG, 97 spaces
https://www.chelmsford.gov.uk/parking-and-travel/car-parks/parkway-car-park/
Shire Gate
CM2 0SE, 183 spaces
https://www.parkme.com/lot/139732/shire-gate
Just Park
Private properties to park in nearby. Enter the museum postcode (CM2 9AQ) plus a date and time to view a map of available spaces.
https://www.justpark.com/uk/parking/chelmsford/
On road parking on areas of Moulsham Street
Permit holders only Z4 Mon-Fri 9am to 10am, no waiting Mon-Sat 10am to 11am
More information: https://sepp.traffweb.app/traffweb/1/TrafficOrders
Please check before you park.
Public Transport Directions
The nearest bus stop to Museum of Chelmsford is on New London Road, at the junction with Moulsham Street opposite the Rising Sun pub.
The number 300 and C1 buses travel from Chelmsford train station (stand 5 and stand 11, respectively) to this stop. These stands are indicated with stars on the below image. Bus 13 also leaves from Chelmsford Station (stand 6) to this stop, but is less frequent.
You can also get the 46 and 351 busses to the BBC Essex stop and walk about 7 minutes to the museum.
You can look at First Essex to check which buses go to the museum.
The nearest railway station to Museum of Chelmsford is Chelmsford Station. The museum is about a 30 minute walk from the station or you can get a bus (see the above accordion). Find directions from the station and timetable information at Greater Anglia.
