A crime-solving couple has started a new business offering people the chance to test their detective skills.

Crime scene investigator Angela Thompson, of Staples Road in Loughton, has created Funky Fingerprints, which organises murder mystery events and forensics-themed children’s parties.

Realistic crime scenes, featuring a model of a dead body, are created by the fingerprint expert with the help of detective husband David, 40.

Genuine, pasteurised animal blood is also used and Mrs Thompson writes all the scripts.

The company opened in December and has already captured the attention of TV entrepreneur, Theo Paphitis.

The former Dragon’s Den star last week chose Funky Fingerprints as one of five winners of Small Business Sunday (SBS), a weekly initiative on Twitter.

Mrs Thompson, 34, tweeted Mr Paphitis with the hashtag #SBS, which he then retweeted to his 400,000 followers, resulting in an upturn in traffic on the company’s website.

Mrs Thompson said: ”It’s been absolutely fantastic. As a new company it’s a great start for us.”

Each event involves solving a mystery by examining a staged crime scene with professional techniques and equipment used by real forensic investigators.

She said: “It’s great fun and children and adults love it.

“A lot of people seem interested in forensics at the moment which I call the ‘CSI effect’

“TV shows like CSI, Silent Witness and Sherlock have made it very popular.”

The mother-of-three is now hoping to work more closely with schools to promote the science and is in talks about holding a murder mystery weekend at Byfleet Manor, used in the filming of Downton Abbey.

For more information visit http://www.funkyfingerprints.co.uk/