Collaborative development of guidelines for teaching sensitive topics in forensic science

Five colleagues from the University of the West of Scotland and Teesside University have come together to develop an engaging presentation on the politics and practices of teaching sensitive topics. Given the absence of resources to guide the teaching of sensitive topics in forensic science, our group collaborated to learn from shared experiences in criminal justice education. The session begins with an introduction to the teaching of sensitive topics and progresses to illustrate examples of how trauma-informed practice might be implemented in forensic science education. We aim to assist forensic science educators in developing support frameworks for the teaching of sensitive topics, prioritising student wellbeing and engagement while also considering the wellbeing of educators. To further this initiative, we invite attendees to participate in a large-scale collaborative exercise to help shape the development of comprehensive guidelines. Together, we can make a significant impact on the future of forensic science education.