STUDENT sleuths have been polishing their detective skills at a specially created "crime house".

Lecturers at the University of Teesside have filled a terraced building in Middlesbrough with hidden clues and remnants from simulated crimes, which students of forensic investigation then have to solve.

The "crimes" range from burglaries to murder and students collect their evidence under the watchful eye of closed-circuit television cameras.

Lecturer Dr Julie Mennell said the idea was for students to put into practice forensic investigation and crime scene techniques.

"Crime scene examiners can be among the first on the scene and they need to know how to handle delicate situations and make sure the vital evidence is not disturbed," she said.

"The crime house allows us to simulate any crime scene and we can even arrange for other students to take on roles such as the Press, injured parties and victims of crime."

The £26,000 project is believed to be biggest and most elaborate of its kind at any university in the UK.