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Fracking FAQs; Fingerprint feedback; Lipstick forensics; Snake hook

Dr Adam Rutherford unpicks the science of fracking and the potential risks this technology poses. Plus lipstick forensics - science offers a new way to analyse crime scene samples.

Fracking is touted as a technology that will lower UK energy bills. It's a controversial technique which unlocks natural gas from shale rock. But it raises many environmental concerns. So what does the science say? Adam Rutherford sorts science fact from science fiction, putting your frack FAQs to four experts. Reporter Gaia Vince travels to a gas well site in Warrington to discover the various techniques used to extract gas onshore in the UK.

Also on the programme, your feedback to last week's story on new fingerprint technology.

Lipstick forensics: Professor Michael Went at the University of Kent has developed a new method for unpicking the make-up of make up left at crime scenes.

And this week's Show Us Your Instrument comes from Cardiff University, as we showcase herpetologist Dr Rhys Jones's snake hook. It's a low-tech but vital piece of kit for handling snakes. It's also useful for scrumping.

Available now

30 minutes

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Dr Rhys Jones, Cardiff University

Dr Rhys Jones, Cardiff University
Image: Dr Rhys Jones, Credit: Cardiff University

Broadcasts

  • Thu 26 Sep 2013 16:30
  • Thu 26 Sep 2013 21:00

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