22 years of forensic science. From the lab bench to the witness box to your classroom.
I'm Den Kara BSc, and I've spent 22 years working in forensic science - not talking about it from the outside, but doing it every day.
I'm a biologist by training and a DNA technology specialist by practice. Over more than two decades, I've managed forensic laboratories, led multi-disciplinary teams of specialist consultants, and given expert testimony in court as a reporting officer. I know the inner workings of a forensic lab from a practical, hands-on, management perspective - not from theory.
That experience is what I bring to every workshop. When your students ask "What actually happens in a forensic lab?", I don't reach for a textbook. I tell them what I've seen, what I've done, and what the reality looks like.
I started ForensicWorkshops.co.uk because I saw a gap between what students learn in the classroom and what forensic science actually involves. General science teachers do an excellent job with the curriculum, but they're teaching outside their specialism when it comes to forensic practice. I bridge that gap.
My career spans laboratory work, team management, court testimony, and public engagement with science.
Managed multiple forensic laboratories and led multi-disciplinary teams of highly specialised forensic consultants across a range of scientific disciplines.
Specialist in DNA forensic science, including PCR technology, DNA profiling, and the application of molecular biology techniques in criminal investigations.
Reporting officer with experience of presenting forensic evidence in court. I understand the judicial process from evidence recovery through to cross-examination.
Invited speaker at the Science Museum in London, communicating forensic science to public audiences and inspiring the next generation of scientists.
Delivered lectures at the prestigious Royal Institution Wednesday evening lecture series - the same programme that has hosted leading scientists for over 200 years.
Contributed to the Royal Society Christmas lecture series on DNA profiling, bringing cutting-edge forensic science to a national audience.
My workshops are designed for students and educators who want to go beyond the textbook. Everything I deliver is grounded in real-world practice.
Full-day workshops mapped directly to the four learning aims of Unit 23: Forensic Evidence, Collection and Analysis. Students work through evidence gathering, crime scene investigation, scientific analysis, and a mock court exercise. This is my most popular workshop, and many schools rebook every year for new cohorts.
For younger students (ages 8-11), I run hour-long, hands-on sessions with practical exercises, observation challenges, and forensic comparisons. Each child takes something away. I can run multiple sessions in a single day, one class at a time.
I occasionally deliver focused lectures on specific topics - DNA technology, PCR, or forensic biology - for A-Level biology or Forensic Science BTEC students at sixth form and college level.
Honest, practical insight into what a career in forensic science actually looks like. Not the glamour of television, but the real work, the real pathways, and the real opportunities in the sector today.
I've delivered over 40 workshops to schools and colleges across London, and many rebook each year for new student cohorts.
I've also been featured in a double-page spread in the Independent Schools Magazine, covering the importance of curriculum enrichment through hands-on forensic workshops.
Get in touch to discuss your students' needs. Every workshop is tailored to your group, your curriculum focus, and your timetable.
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