Forensic Science is the application of scientific methods and techniques to assist the criminal and civil justice systems. Forensic science is concerned with the detection, identification, and interpretation of physical trace evidence. In practice, forensic science draws upon a wide range of applied sciences including chemistry, biology, physics, engineering, botany, anthropology and archaeology.
The Forensic Science Research Group (FSRG) at Northumbria comprises a highly interdisciplinary group of scientists and ex-practitioners in forensic science, who are interested in advancing knowledge and contributing to the profession and wider society. We are working across disciplinary boundaries in a range of subjects from analytical chemistry, human biology, microbiology, and statistical modelling, to the application of forensic policy and the law. Members of the group have published widely in forensic science and other applied subject areas, and have contributed to casework in the investigation of volume and major crimes, including homicide, serious sexual assault and crimes against humanity.
The core mission of the FSRG is the development of integrated multi-proxy approaches to forensic science, and particularly evidence interpretation based on a robust understanding of the persistence and transfer of trace evidence in the forensic environment. To this end we are researching a number of broad areas of forensic science, but with a distinct multi-disciplinary focus:
- Human identification (including forensic genetics, biometrics and forensic anthropology)
- Chemical criminalistics and trace evidence analysis (gunshot and explosive residues, hairs and fibres, toxicology, latent print chemistry and enhancement)
- Crime scenes and burial environments (blood pattern analysis, forensic archaeology, taphonomy and thanatology, forensic proteomics)
- Evidence interpretation and legal frameworks (Bayes modelling, evidential quality and standards, forensic databases)
Based in the Department of Applied Sciences, collaborating with colleagues from the biosciences, chemistry, law, criminalistics, geography and environmental science we have a range of research projects spanning the interface between forensic science and other investigative fields such as environmental chemistry, criminal law, criminalistics, archaeology and palaeoanthropology. We also have a vibrant post-graduate and post-doctoral research community within the FSRG.
Several of the FSRG team are also members of the TeLePRT Pedagogical Research Group with particular interest in the use of technology to enhance forensic science training and professional practice for students, forensic practitioners, and law enforcement. TeLePRT is led by FSRG staff member Eleanor Graham.
The FSRG is committed to the communication of forensic science to the professional community and public. As part of that goal, we host a regular series of invited guest research seminars related to forensic science and its impact on society.
