UCLan’s new £12.5 million JB Firth Building has now officially opened.

Vice-Chancellor Malcolm McVicar (second left) opens the JB Firth building along with members of the scientist's family

The new multi-million pound forensics science facility has been opened by ancestors of the revolutionary scientist it’s named after.

Malcolm McVicar, UCLan’s Vice-Chancellor said: “This is a state-of-the-art building and one of the best in the UK.

“It’s a statement of our intent to continue providing excellence in science. It highlights our commitment to offering a superlative student experience with world-class facilities.”

Dr James Brierley Firth was one of the UK’s leading founders of forensic science, with him establishing the first ever North West forensic laboratory.

Brierley Firth’s contribution to this area of science has been recognised with UCLan’s naming accolade.

Dr Brierley Firth was the first ever President of the national Forensic Science Society.

He paved the way for the creation of nationwide forensic science services within the Police force.

The opening which took place on Friday September 9 was a real family event.

Two generations of Brierley Firth’s family attended, including his grandchildren, Judith Baybutt and Richard Hewitt.

Mrs Baybutt said: “It’s a very impressive building and shows how forensic science has come a long way since he was started out. He would have been immensely proud of this and it’s once-in-a-lifetime experience for the family.”

Mr Hewitt, from Skegness, attended along with his sons Richard and Andrew and wife Wendy.

He said: “It’s an enormously proud day for the family and it’s nice to know that he’s being remembered for all the work he did.”

The teaching space includes six laboratories, comprising two laboratories for chemistry teaching, one for research, one analytical laboratory and two fire laboratories. It will accommodate up to at least 160 students.

Dr Lee Chatfield, Dean of the School of Forensic and Investigative Sciences, was delighted with the new building.

Dr James Brierley Firth

“We are delighted to launch our new purpose-built JB Firth Building to support the expansion of our courses and research programmes in forensic science, fire engineering and chemistry,” he said.

Dr Firth’s became a chemistry lecturer in Newcastle-upon-Tyne and later at Nottingham University before working for the Government as a chemist on the grounds of the Newcastle.

Photos courtesy of UCLan.

You can find more photos of the building’s construction here.