Hucknall-based forensics cop inspired by TV show to join Nottinghamshire Police
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Virginia Fletcher landed an apprenticeship with the force before securing a permanent role as a forensic analytical services laboratory officer, based at the Arrow Centre in Hucknall.
The 25-year-old helps solve cases across the county – from murders and sexual assault investigations to less serious offences.
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Hide AdShe described working for a police force as a childhood dream come true having been inspired by characters in Silent Witness – a programme she started watching from the age of 11.
Virginia, said: “I’m absolutely loving it.
"What I love about working with the police is you can do something with what you find, such as solving a case and getting justice for a victim.
“I really love how you can find something really small and build a case around it.
"You might have to go through 20 or 30 exhibits before you can get the ball rolling on a case, but it’s worth it when you find that crucial bit of evidence.
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Hide Ad“Eventually you might hear on the news that a person has been convicted and you know yourself you played a key role in that happening – and it feels amazing.”
Virginia said her passion for forensic science harks back to her school days.
She continued: “I really liked science at school – I remember a lesson about DNA when I was in year seven and that got the ball rolling in terms of my interest in forensic science.
“From there I was always watching programmes such as Silent Witness and playing around with forensic science kits designed for kids.#
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Hide Ad“It’s nice now watching Silent Witness with my parents – they keep asking, ‘do you do that?’”
After university, she successfully applied for a forensic apprenticeship with Nottinghamshire Police in 2022 – an opportunity she’s grasped with both hands.
She said: “The good thing about this job is it offers something new every day.
"You never get a job that’s the same as something that’s gone before.
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Hide Ad“There are people in the department who have worked here for 30 years and they still come across exhibits they’ve never seen before.
“There’s a puzzle to be solved every day.”
For details on Nottinghamshire Police apprenticships, visit nottinghamshire.police.uk/police-forces/nottinghamshire-police/areas/careers/careers/apprenticeships/