Top cop hosts University seminar

Birmingham City University will welcome one of the senior investigating officers on the Ipswich serial murders, Roy Lambert, to the next in a series of high profile lectures held in conjunction with West Midlands Police.

Both students and senior police staff will attend the seminar on Tuesday 9th February, which will present a fascinating insight into the investigation into the murder of five women in late 2006 in Ipswich. It will explore the many issues raised by the police inquiry, post investigation matters, the arrest and trial of Steve Wright and the implications for policing today.

The Ipswich serial murders took place between 30th October and 12th December 2006 when the bodies of five murdered women were discovered at different locations near Ipswich, Suffolk. All the victims were prostitutes or sex workers from the Ipswich area.

Nick Howe, Senior Lecturer in Criminal Investigation at Birmingham City University said: "This seminar is the third of four Murder Investigation Seminars examining some of the most significant and high-profile murders the country has witnessed with in-depth presentations from the senior police investigators involved.

"We are delighted that Roy Lambert will be hosting this seminar to share his vast experience and knowledge with us. The event reinforces Birmingham City University's commitment to studying and researching criminal investigation. We aspire to be a centre of excellence in this regard and the seminars are evidence of our ambition and it is great that we have secured such high profile speakers."

Roy retired as a Detective Superintendent in Suffolk in May 2007 and was subsequently retained by Suffolk Constabulary to progress the Ipswich murders case, through the prosecution phase. Roy's background was almost entirely within the CID and at time of his retirement he was the lead SIO for Suffolk Constabulary as Director of Investigations.

He has extensive experience in major crime investigations and has had two secondments with the Regional, and then, National Crime Squad. The last one as a Branch Commander.

Roy Lambert said: "The events in Suffolk during October, November and December 2006 were quite exceptional in terms of police investigations. The Suffolk Constabulary is keen to share its experiences with other police investigators and students in order that they take learning from the investigations."

The series of Murder Investigation seminars will come to an end next month when the leading detective from the Soham murders will address students and fellow policing colleagues.