A SCOTS crime-writing student has become a part of a real-life plot twist after graduating last week.
Sophie Carney graduated from her Crime Writing and Forensiv Investigation MLitt course at the University of Dundee last week.
And now, the 25-year-old has gone from writing fiction crime to solving it, as she gears up to become a police detective herself.
Learning about the role of forensic science in legal investigations at the Centre for Anatomy and Human Identification (CAHID), ignited her initial interest in crime investigation.
Then, her growing knowledge of the police and the law only furthered her appetite for crime reporting.
A guest speaker from the police detective department opened her eyes to the National Detective Programme- a fast-track route to becoming a detective.
Sophie said: “I never knew that was an option. The traditional route of becoming a detective is starting off as a police constable and working your way up.
“That never would have suited me. I am more interested in the process of solving a crime and behind-the-scenes work to put together the puzzle.”
The soon-to-be graduate is taking her final test and intends to start the programme in January.
Although seemingly distinct career paths at first, Sophie claims her university degree knowledge will be a tool in her future work.
Sophie added: “True crime and the theories and methods that go into solving a case has always been an interest of mine, but I never thought I would be going down this path.
“I would never have heard about this opportunity if it wasn’t for doing this course and interacting with people who have similar interests.
“I was able to talk to a lot of people in different specialties and I had to do a lot of research to make sure everything was forensically accurate, and that’s going to be very useful as I go down this new route.”
Sophie is among the 2,500 students graduating from the University of Dundee this week.
