Criminal psychologist Julia Shaw applies the same profiling techniques used in criminal cases to explore the psychological motivations behind those committing environmental crimes, such as some of those involved in the ivory trade, certain figures in the Volkswagen Dieselgate scandal, or the company responsible for the Deepwater Horizon disaster. Often, these crimes are far more organised and deadly, yet often escape condemnation in the same way.

Police crime procedurals are among the most popular genres on TV. Audiences around the world love a good whodunnit for a touch of gritty drama, good-vs-bad adventure and guess-along puzzle-solving. But how much do they reflect reality?  Often, argues Carol Rogers, who is the lead scientist for sexual offences at the Scottish Police Authority Forensic Services, they shape public perception towards police forensics and courtroom expectations – and not in a helpful way.

Take Dexter Morgan’s role as a blood-pattern expert. One technique he uses, known as stringing, helps determine the angle and point of impact by mapping out the trajectory of blood. The portrayal is surprisingly accurate, at least to a point, but it’s not something that’s commonly used in everyday investigations, says Rogers, mostly thanks to the unnecessary time it takes.

More concerning, however, is the total disregard for personal protection equipment. So often in shows such as Broadchurch, for example, characters stroll through crime scenes chock-full of officers, without so much as a pair of gloves. In reality, strict protocols are in place to avoid contamination.

Despite taking some creative licence, TV crime dramas give the public an excellent glimpse into forensic science, and Rogers is here to guide you through some of TV’s biggest thrillers, separating fact from fiction. .

These technologies are being used in complex visual tasks, such as employing to study gaze pattern strategies and decision-making processes involved in the assessment of skeletal remains and crime scene examinations. “If we get the human and machine to work together, we can address some of the challenges that forensic science is currently facing,” says Nakhaeizadeh.