If you have questions about the outputs or ongoing teaching and research from within the East Midlands Forensics Network, you can you contact us at EMFN@leicester.ac.uk.
For questions relating to membership and joining the Network, please email EMFN@leicester.ac.uk with the subject line ‘Membership’.
Bringing together experts from across nine organisations, the Network represents sectors including further education, higher education, policing, investigation, industry and practice.
Browse the full list of organisations and our members.
Jo is the Director of Education in the School of Criminology, Sociology and Social Policy specialising in the development of fingermarks. Before becoming an academic, she worked as a CSI with the police service. Jo currently sits on various forensic teaching and research networks and her research interests are fingerprints/marks, explorative teaching practice and crime scene investigation.
Rob is a Professor of Chemistry and has a background in electrochemistry, electroactive materials and interfacial characterisation. These are combined in the chemical visualisation and imaging of latent fingermarks on metal, paper and plastic surfaces, using redox processes to generate electrochromic polymer or metal films, or metallic particles. Interfacial imaging techniques include UV/visible and FTIR spectroscopic, and optical, 3D and SEM microscopy. He is Editor in Chief of the journal Electrochimica Acta.
Carole is Professor of Law and Criminal Justice and convenes the Criminal Law research cluster. Carole has been researching issues around criminal evidence and forensic science for twenty years, and has written on miscarriages of justice, international policing cooperation, DNA and biometrics, forensic science and criminal justice more widely. Follow Carole on Twitter: @ctmccartney.
Learn more about Carole McCartney
Professor Lisa Smith is the Head of College of Social Sciences, Arts and Humanities. Her research focuses on the role of forensic science in the criminal justice system, including the use of scientific evidence in the courtroom and the impact of forensic innovation on access to justice in low-resource environments. Follow Lisa on Twitter: @DrLisaSmith.
Jon is a Researcher specialising in the development of DNA techniques for both human and non-human forensics. Jon developed DNA fingerprinting, SLP and STR profiling for raptors at Nottingham University successfully implementing them in more than 20 wildlife crime cases. During 13 years at FSS as a Senior Researcher he was responsible for introducing novel species ID, and mtDNA, Y-STR and SNP tests, contract research and specialist casework.
Mark is a Professor of Genetics. He is interested in patterns of DNA diversity in populations, how this arises and what it tells us about the past. This has mostly been in human populations, but more recently in other animals including gorillas and domestic cats. His research has practical applications in forensics and conservation genetics and he collaborates with forensic practitioners and policy-makers in the UK and overseas.
Rachel is the Technical Services Manager in the School of Archaeology and Ancient History, specialising in electron microscopy, light microscopy and analytical chemistry. Rachel’s research interests are the application of microscopy to analyse samples and the identification of substandard and falsified medicines using analytical techniques.
Vasiliki is a forensic anthropologist and Teaching Fellow (University of Leicester, School of Chemistry). She has experience in international casework and has participated in the recovery and identification of victims from mass disasters and humanitarian work. Her research interests lie in but are not limited to, the analysis of commingled remains, warfare violence, 3D modelling and imaging of human remains and forensic casework.
Richard is a Senior Lecturer in Forensic Chemistry and Researcher in Firearms Chemistry. Before becoming an academic in 2009, Richard worked for the Forensic Science Services as a Technical Consultant in DNA analysis.
Kevin is an Associate Professor in Forensic Chemistry. He is actively involved in research related to the enhancement of latent marks as well as integrated approaches of multiple types of evidence. He is a Chartered Chemist and a member of the Royal Society of Chemistry, Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences, Society of Evidence-based Policing, the International Association of Identification and a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. Follow Kevin on Twitter: @KevinFarrugia83.
Emma is an experienced forensic scientist with a background in DNA profiling and international experience. Before joining academia, she worked for LGC Forensics and the Forensic Anthropology Foundation of Guatemala. Emma is currently studying for PhD in the role of forensic science in identifying missing migrants. Follow Emma on LinkedIn.
Alexandra is a Senior Lecturer in Crime Scene Science and teaches on the BSc Hons Forensic Science course. Immediately before becoming an academic, Alex worked as a CSI with The Australian Federal Police in Sydney, Australia.
Leisa is an Associate Professor, having also held a casework career from 2000 (FSS, Cellmark) coordinating complex major crime laboratory-scene examinations, training, QA-auditing, cold case reviews. Her specialisms include BPA, evidence recovery, weapon clothing damage and she is involved in numerous research/teaching networks. Leisa’s research interests are training/teaching technologies, fingermark development, knife crime, and she welcomes consultancy opportunities related to the above. Follow Leisa on LinkedIn and Twitter: @ForensicLeisa.
Anu is a specialist in Forensic Genetics and has taught forensic modules at De Montfort University and Staffordshire University. She received her PhD from the University of Helsinki where her research focused on evaluating the underlying factors of the Finnish gene pool affecting forensic analysis.
Sarah is a Senior Lecturer in Analytical Forensic Chemistry. Although she has been in academia for more than 20 years, Sarah has previous industrial experience as a laboratory manager in accredited labs. Her main research interest is based in the fire risk of emollients, their trace detection and safer use. She is also interested in fire debris analysis, forensic wildlife and environmental analysis methods.
Chloe has been a Lecturer in the East Midlands since August 2019. She began her forensic career working on a DNA transfer project. Following this, she joined LGC forensic in their volume crime lab in Teddington as a trainee reporting officer and then senior analyst in DNA profile interpretation. After leaving LGC, she worked first as a Scientific Officer and then on a telomere measurement project within the cardiovascular sciences department.
Joel is a Senior Laboratory Technician, specialising in Forensic Science, and currently studying a part-time PhD in fingermark development. Joel has a broad forensic science knowledge covering a wide variety of forensic science related topics including fingermarks, trace analysis and forensic chemistry. Joel has worked as a laboratory technician for 8 years and has spent a year on secondment as a Lecturer in Forensic Science.
Ula is a Lecturer in Forensic Biology. Her previous experience includes working for the industry within the Forensic Science sector as a DNA Reporting Scientist. Ula’s teaching and research interests include forensic genetics and wildlife forensics, in particular the application of novel DNA sequencing technologies to forensic casework.
George is PhD researcher investigating the fire risk of fabrics with dried on emollients and their detection in post fire debris. In addition to studies, George is a part time lab demonstrator at university on the Forensic Science and Pharmacy courses. George graduated from a Forensic science academic background and his main interests are crime scene investigation with an emphasis on fire related scenes. Follow George on LinkedIn.
Rachel spent 21 years as a CSI and CSM before stepping into the regional training role with EMSOU-FS.
Sophie is a Forensic Analytical Services Laboratory Officer (FASLO) with EMSOU-FS. Sophie uses destructive and non-destructive techniques to enhance ridge detail, fabric and footwear marks on items recovered from crime scenes. Sophie also undertakes DNA recovery on exhibits within the specialist DNA Lab. The Labs are ISO 17025 accredited and therefore being a UKAS Technical Manager, Sophie oversees the Lab to ensure it meets accreditation requirements. Follow Sophie on Twitter: @EM_ForensicsLab.
Kerry is the FAS Lab Team Leader for the EMSOU-FS Fingerprint Laboratory. Kerry has over 10 years’ experience working within this field and 8 of those years also include working in our on-site DNA recovery facility. Her core skills are in the chemical, physical and optical enhancement of fingerprints and in the search and recovery of DNA. Kerry is the DNA Lab Technical Manager maintaining our ISO17025 UKAS accreditation and was responsible for setting up the DNA facility at EMSOU-FS in 2015. In addition to this, she is the FAS Lab and DNA Lab Trainer, overseeing all internal training and regularly participating in the delivery of external training programmes to EMSOU-FS partners.
Laura Robinson is currently seconded to Leicestershire Police SARC (Sexual Assault Referral Centre) as Quality officer to hopefully gain ISO 15189 accreditation by October 2025. Laura was a FAS-Laboratory team leader, leading a small team in fingerprint and footwear enhancement techniques and examining exhibits for cellular and visual blood samples. Laura has worked in FEL activity for 16 years and was a DNA analyst for 3 years at the FSS. She is currently a UKAS technical manager in FEL activity and also helps with DNA anti- contamination and ISO accreditation training for Regional SARCs. She is regular CSI attendee around the region for FEL activity.
Jo is a Workforce Strategy Lead with the FCN having previously worked in Policing (Met Police and US) and Academia (visiting Associate Professor at ARU). Jo is on the board of directors for the European division of the International Association for Identification.
Adrienne Shaw is a Scientific Officer with extensive forensic practitioner experience. Part of her role is to work with police, academia, and industry to meet the challenges of the Criminal Justice System and provide benefits to the community.
I have been a Police Officer for nearly 24 years and Forensic Collision Investigator for over 10 years and have gained many qualifications and experience in the field. I am also a member of several professional bodies and societies and am passionate about this field of work. Prior to becoming an FCI I was a Roads Policing (Traffic) officer and have always been interested in vehicles, roads and technology.
Prior to becoming a Police Officer I worked in the IT sector, gaining various qualifications in this field which have proven very useful in my role as an FCI.
Forensic Odontologist with over 20 years’ experience in human identification, bite- and weapon-mark analysis, dental neglect, and dental age estimation.
Expert advisor to the National Crime Agency (NCA) & Forensic Medical Advice Team (FMAT)
https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-leigh-evans-97b67234/
Matthew is currently a Lecturer in Analytical Science. Before becoming an academic he was a senior chemist working in the trace analysis and pharmaceutical industry. Matthew’s current research involves the development of chemical screening and capture applications for the security industry.
Paul is Head of the Chemistry Department and has been involved in the development of a number of new forensic approaches. Most significant of these is the Recover system for fingerprint retrieval, now commercialised with Foster and Freeman and employed worldwide. In addition, he has also worked in areas such as bio-fluid detection, metal theft prevention and heritage crime.
Ayoung is the 4th year PhD researcher in Analytical Chemistry and also Research Associate in Analytical Separation Science. Ayoung has worked as an Analytical Chemist with PPG industries for around a decade. Kim’s research interests are biological fluids/fingerprints, chemical weapons and crime scene investigation.
Jim is a specialist in the use of ion mobility spectrometry and mass spectrometry. Jim has worked with Foster and Freeman Ltd in developing in-situ analysis of biological fluids at crime scenes.
Richard is a laboratory chemist specialising in the production and research of chemicals relating to the development of fingermark deposits. Prior to his current role, Richard completed his PhD entitled ‘Lowering levels of heritage crime via novel chemical procedures’.
William is a Senior Lecturer in Forensic Science. Prior to entering Higher Education he worked for 15 years in operational policing, specialising in fingerprint identification and footwear analysis. He has also worked for the College of Policing as a Forensic Trainer, designing and delivering training on national and international forensic training programmes to forensic professionals from 8 different countries.
Fiona Whittaker is a Senior Lecturer in Forensic Science, specialising in DNA and Biology. Prior to NTU, Fiona worked for the FSS and also LGC (now Eurofins) as a DNA Reporting Officer, over a 16 year period. In addition, Fiona is a Qualified Teacher, having worked in Secondary Education for 10 years. Fiona is currently involved in pedagogic research into the transition of students from FE to HE.
Jon is a Senior Lecturer with over 35 years Forensic Experience both as a practitioner and an academic. Jon is involved with teaching and research as well as standards committees. Jon acts as an advisor to TV and authors. Jon’s main interests are BPA, fire, firearms, cold cases and historical CSI.
Rachel Bolton-King is an Associate Professor of Forensic Science specialising in firearm investigations and is currently the Editor-in-Chief of the Science & Justice journal. She is also the Courses Manager for Forensic Science programmes at NTU and is privileged to work collaboratively with forensic and law enforcement professionals and technology providers across the globe. Rachel is passionate about teaching, training and research, and aims to advance connections between education & industry to improve our underpinning knowledge & practice in the sector.
Jim was a Crime Scene Manager and trainer based in Derbyshire for nearly 30 years. Jim has recently moved to NTU as a senior lecturer in Forensic Sciences. Jim is a year 1 tutor and employability lead for Forensics and is involved in collaborative working with EMSOU-FS for validation procedures. Jim has also been an assessor for the chartered society in forensic sciences in CSI and CSM for a number of years. Jim is passionate about sharing knowledge and experience between academia and operational policing agencies.
Beth is a laboratory chemist specialising in the synthetic production of fingerprinting chemicals alongside research into various areas of forensic science. Beth completed her PhD prior to this role at Loughborough University, titled Forensic Evidence Enhancement using Physiological Aspects and Processes.
Dr Kate Barnes, University of Derby, Senior Lecturer in Forensic Biology PhD, Fellow of Higher Education Academy, Member of the Royal Entomological Society, British Association for Human IDentification and European Association for Forensic Entomology. On the Ecology Research group for the Forensic Capability Network and Education and Training Committee for the Royal Entomological Society.
Kori is a forensic anthropologist and archaeologist with extensive field work and analytical experience. Her previous professional work involved working alongside the Los Angeles and Riverside County Coroners aiding in human skeletal identification and analyses. She has also worked in forensic recovery efforts in Guatemala, El Salvador, Greece, and Romania. She sits on several professional committees and is a forensic global expert for the International Committee for the Red Cross.
Dr. Filipek welcomes enquiries from forensic partners in areas of human identification and is open to collaborative research and offering CPD opportunities for those interested in human identification and recovery.
Georgios is a Lecturer in Forensic Science. His research combines elements of biochemistry, genetics, nanotechnology and toxicology to address issues in forensic, environmental and biomedical settings related to biological identification and toxicity.
Ana is a Lecturer in Forensic Science and a former practitioner. She worked 12 years as a crime scene investigator and forensic expert in Brazil investigating serious crimes and performing different laboratory analysis. Her research interests are in the area of New psychoactive substance and in the develop of sensor to detect different compounds of forensic interest. Ana currently teaches on different topics in forensic science and participate in different network within the subject.
Sebastien is a Senior Lecturer and Programme leader of the BSc in Forensic Science. He moved to the UK in 2022 after spending 8 years in Australia as an academic. He is teaching both at Undergraduate and Postgraduate levels focusing on crime scene, photography, shoemark and fingermark. His specific research interests are around nanoparticles to detect fingermark, as well as on a more fundamental understanding of fingermark detection techniques and improving research quality in the field.
Samantha is a Senior Lecturer in Forensic Chemistry and Programme Leader for MSc Forensic Science. Samantha teaches in all areas of forensic and analytical chemistry and has particular interest in chromatographic techniques and extraction methods. Her primary research specialism is drugs of abuse, though she is equally happy analysing any substance of forensic interest which have previously ranged from inks to cadaveric volatile organic compounds.
Esther is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Human Sciences specialising in Analytical and Forensic Chemistry. Before academia, Esther worked in both industry and science communication, and returned to work in academia through a Daphne Jackson Fellowship. Esther’s research interests are in new forms of trace evidence and environmental forensics.
Tolulope Bayode Abejide is a Forensic Science Lecturer (Crime Scene Investigation) with expertise in Forensic Chemistry and Toxicology, Forensic Ballistics, Trace Evidence Analysis, and Forensic Criminalistics. His research areas of interest also include Digital Forensics, Investigation of Psychoactive substance, Humanitarian Forensics, Fire Investigation and Disaster Management. He has served as a forensic expert for numerous international organisations, including the United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), and he is a member of numerous professional committees.
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0004-3841-074X
Varsha is currently working as a Lecturer in Forensic Science at the University of Derby, and is tasked with delivering modules pertaining to Crime Scene Investigation. Her previous research experience deals with Forensic Anthropology, with research publications that focus on 3D CT based age estimation, and the application of different age estimation methods and markers within the pelvis. In addition to this, a lot of Varsha’s research focuses on improving the accuracy for age estimation through the use of different statistical approaches such as Bayesian analysis and Machine Learning.
Dan is a Senior Lecturer and the Programme Leader for Forensic Science. Prior to becoming an academic, Dan was a reporting forensic scientist for over 20 years at the FSS, Burgoynes and Key Forensic Services. Dan’s areas of expertise include trace evidence, DNA, bodyfluids, BPA, fire investigation and ignitable liquids analysis. He is part of the steering committee for the ENFSI Fire and Explosions Investigation Working Group.
Hilary is an Associate Professor in Forensic Science in the School of Chemistry. Hilary worked as a forensic toxicologist for 8 years in the UK and New Zealand. Her research interests include cognitive forensics and novel psychoactive substances. Follow on Hilary on Twitter: @hilaryhamnett.
The East Midlands Forensics Network (EMFN) is a collection of practitioners, academics, researchers and service providers from across the East Midlands region who work in partnership to champion meaningful, sector leading research and knowledge development across various areas of forensic science and practice. The EMFN draws together experience, knowledge and expertise to identify areas in need of development within forensic science practice and research, and proactively works to address this.
Through collective action, it is the aim of the EMFN to identify authentic areas in need of solutions whereby our members respond to such concerns in a timely manner. Actively combatting issues such as working in silos, resource constraints and more, the EMFN pools the expertise of individuals, agencies and organisations working across many areas of forensic science to ensure that meaningful research is conducted to the benefit of all involved.
The Network aims to collaborate on a range of aspects, which will be of benefit to all organisations in a variety of different ways. The collaborative areas are listed below:
Our members hold specialisms in over ten areas of forensic science:
