Working on cold cases allowed me to improve myself while helping others

I think our work in the Plymouth Cold Case Unit will have a huge positive impact. We intend to spend ample time carefully revisiting cases and hopefully finding new leads. For the families, we want to give them hope and maybe closure on their cases.

The lecturers supporting us have been great. They want to see the PCCU grow and are including us in every part of this new venture at the University. The key to the Unit is that it is run by the students; we have control over defining the Unit’s form and plotting the path it will take. 

To begin with, I found the experience a little overwhelming and difficult because so many students wanted to join. We were all very nervous and didn’t know one another. But the training and application process are rigorous – you need to really commit to the work – and many of the original group found it to be too much. We now have a nice sized group of about 15–20 students. We have realised that we are all in this for the same reason, and that is what binds us together. 

The Unit leads have also put on social events to help us bond as a team. We all have something different to offer in the group; we come from different backgrounds, we are young and old, we speak different languages and approach cases from different angles. It’s valuable listening to what everyone has to say, and we welcome others who can bring new skills and perspectives to the team. 

We are all equal at the Unit and all have something valuable to bring to the table. I like sitting together as a team and discussing ideas because we bounce off one another and come up with some really interesting results. It is going to be interesting to see how the PCCU grows, knowing that I am one of the first people to help build it. 

The experience and skills I am gaining at the PCCU are enhancing and promoting me as a person, complementing my criminology degree. I’m hoping to go into the police force or Crown Prosecution Service so the skills I am learning can only improve my chances of getting a job in these areas. If I change my career path in the future, all the skills will be transferrable to any job and should make me a well-rounded individual who has empathy, confidence, and an investigative skill set.

I really recommend others to get involved – it is for a very worthy cause, and you will learn new skills. I see this new, important unit going places and hope you can be part of this extraordinary adventure.