The University of Lincoln said that decaying animal corpses found in cages near Riseholme campus are part of forensic experiments to help police solve murder cases.
The cages were found by Ryan Stroud, 30, when he was walking his dog with his children through a woodland area near to the Lincolnshire Showground.
Ryan told The Lincolnite that his dog ran through a field, chasing a bird, and was followed by his kids into the woods where they found cages.
The cages on private land are fairly close to the edge of the public woodlands. | Photo: Ryan Stroud
He said: “They shouted at me and were crying like mad because of what they found, we couldn’t believe our eyes.”
Inside the cages were decomposed animal carcasses, with signage showing that it was a scientific experiment of animal testing from the University of Lincoln.
The sign indicates that the university conducted this experiment almost seven years ago. | Photo: Ryan Stroud
Despite the sign suggesting that it had been there for seven years, the university said it is in fact an experiment from 2019, that has been fully licensed by DEFRA.
The area is private property and any interference could compromise “vital work” that is being done alongside the police force, the university has said.
This particular experiment is part of the university’s degree offering in Forensic Science, which is accredited by the Chartered Society of Forensic Science, in order to educate and train people for crime scene investigations.
The university said these are baby pigs that were already dead and acquired from an abattoir. | Photo: Ryan Stroud
A spokesperson for the University of Lincoln said: “We are working to enable swifter and more accurate crime detection and are at the forefront of crime scene forensic research.
“We offer a degree in Forensic Science which includes a module on Advanced Crime Scene Investigation.
“Importantly, this means our teaching of forensic entomology gives our students a necessary understanding of decay and decomposition, which significantly improves the accuracy of establishing the time of death at crime scenes to assist the police in solving serious crimes.
The bodies have decomposed over time, leaving just bones in some areas. | Photo: Ryan Stroud
“We don’t conduct any experiments on any live animals at the University of Lincoln.
“Our scientists have worked closely with the police and conduct research to better inform the understanding of crime scenes.
“This particular study was set up on private property in 2019 and licensed by DEFRA to support our vital work in this area.”
Ryan said he was shocked at what he saw. | Photo: Ryan Stroud
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Police are investigating an unexplained death in the Waddingham village area near Gainsborough and Hemswell Cliff.
Emergency services were called to a house in Clay Lane, Waddingham just before 6:30pm on Thursday (30 June) following reports of a female being injured in the property.
Upon arrival, a woman believed to be in her 60s, was found injured and confirmed deceased at the property.
Her death is currently being treated as unexplained and investigations are ongoing.
We are appealing for witnesses and dashcam footage after a fail to stop in Welton, Lincoln.
It’s believed a black or grey 4×4 or SUV vehicle collided with a silver Mini Cooper that was parked along Cliff Road. The incident was reported just after 3pm today.
If you witnessed the collision or have dashcam footage available, please get in touch.
By calling 101 quoting incident 275 of 1st July.
By emailing [email protected] quoting incident 275 of 1st July in the subject line.
If you wish to remain anonymous, you can report via the independent charity CrimeStoppers on 0800 555 111 or online.