A MURDER took place at Winchester Cathedral this week - but don't worry, it was a staged whodunit to mark the start of Law Week. 

The University of Winchester's policing, criminology, forensics, and law departments teamed up to create a murder mystery for the cathedral’s annual Law Week on Sunday, October, the start of the week of activities.

Natacha Harding, head of the department of policing, criminology, and forensics, penned the scenario, titled Death in the Cathedral. Participants were transported back to 1560, where a death had occurred and foul play was suspected.

The team from the University of Winchester The team from the University of Winchester (Image: Dominic Parkes/University of Winchester.) Natasha said: "The cathedral makes an extremely dramatic backdrop to our latest whodunnit.

"This whodunnit allows those taking part to become time travellers for a day, solving a Tudor crime with some of the latest in 21st-century techniques."

Events this week will see talks, panel discussions and more taking place at venues across the city, including the cathedral, the university and the law courts.

Law Week 2024, which has the theme Open Minds, is the second outing for this law, crime, and criminal justice-focused festival, which aims to bring the law to life in ways that challenge, inform, and inspire.

On the trail On the trail (Image: Dominic Parkes/University of Winchester.) Organiser Shaun Romain said: "We hope our unusual and stimulating events help people to look beyond the tabloid headlines – providing new insights into the everyday challenges faced by our criminal justice system."

The week will conclude with Winchester Cathedral’s Law Sunday service – an annual service of celebration for all those who work in law and order.

  • Click the top image to see a gallery of pictures from the opening event.