Tudor whodunnit and mock trial at Law Week Festival

The two events, involving the University of Winchester, were part of the Cathedral's Law Week Festival.

The whodunnit, titled Death in the Cathedral, was held on October 5 and tested the public's detection skills.

The event, which was sold out, focused on the death of a monk, Brother Peter, who was found battered to death in the Fisherman’s Chapel.

Amateur investigators combed the crime scene for clues before heading to the undercroft, which was set up as a forensics lab and police incident room.

Only one team managed to solve the mystery.

Natacha Harding, head of the department of policing, criminology, and forensics at the university, wrote the story and hosted the event.

She said: "It was a great day - people seemed to really get into the case and ask all sorts of questions."

The second event, Behind Closed Doors, was held on October 9 at the university's Stripe Auditorium.

It took a close look at today’s criminal justice system, following the progress of the accused from charge to conviction and beyond.

The event, which attracted an audience of around 150, was devised by Amelia Riviere, a former magistrate and High Sheriff of Hampshire, who also played the accused, Miss Scarlett.

The evening yielded some amazing insights, including the fact that women first offenders are much more likely to have a history of drug and alcohol abuse than their male counterparts.

A pair of amateur detectives examine 'the body' (Image: Dominic Parkes Photography)

Dean of the Faculty of Law, Crime and Justice, Bill Davies, who introduced the event, said: "It was an engaging and informative evening that shone a light on the criminal justice process.

One of the 'suspects' pleads his innocence (Image: Dominic Parkes Photography)

"A fabulous panel of experts, brilliantly interviewed by Amelia Riviere."

Amateur sleuths in the 'police incident room' (Image: Dominic Parkes Photography)

Shaun Romain, director of creative programmes at Winchester Cathedral, who attended both events, said: "All of us at the Cathedral would like to thank the University of Winchester's Faculty of Law, Crime and Justice for their contribution to Law Week 2024.

Amelia Riviere (second from right) who devised and played the accused in Behind Closed Doors with three of the panel members Chief Inspector Korine Bishop, Carrie Ord of Hampshire and Isle of Wight Criminal Liaison Division and solicitor Chloe Jay of law firm Shentons (Image: Dominic Parkes Photography)

"Staff and students produced some of this year's standout events; attracting record numbers of people wanting to find out more about the criminal justice system."