Academic staff
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I joined LSBU as a Lecturer in Forensic Science within the School of Applied Sciences in 2020, following a career as a forensic practitioner that spanned over 16 years. I graduated from Kings College London with a BSc in Medical Biochemistry in 2002, and an MSc in Forensic Science the following year. In 2003 I started my training as a Forensic Scientist and Explosives Expert at the Forensic Explosives Laboratory (FEL), part of the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl). I now share my knowledge and experience when teaching modules on the Forensic Science BSc.
In my role as a Senior Forensic Case Officer, I provided scientific support to UK mainland Police Forces in the investigation of cases involving the criminal misuse of explosives. My work included examination of explosives and precursor chemicals, improvised explosive devices, post-explosion debris and other related items for explosives traces; as well as chemical analysis using a wide range of techniques. I have experience in crime scene attendance and as an expert witness, producing expert reports and witness statements, and giving evidence in court.
Courses taught
Forensic Sciences - BSc (Hons)
Kings College, London
Kings College, London
As a Senior Forensic Case Officer at the UK Forensic Explosives Laboratory I conducted forensic investigations in relation to incidents involving explosives and related items as an expert in explosives and related materials. The laboratory is instrumental in the fight against criminal and terrorist activities involving the misuse of explosives. Some high-profile cases in which I assisted included the 2005 London Bombings and the Manchester Arena attack in 2017. In this role I coordinated the exploitation of forensic exhibits through their examination, sampling and chemical analysis. I provided expert professional contribution to the Criminal Justice System by interpreting analytical results and communicating scientific evidence to non-scientists, such as the Police, in the form of oral briefings or written reports and witness statements. I also presented my findings in court as an expert witness, as required. A key element of my position was the peer review of colleagues’ work, including analytical data and witness statements, prior to release to the Police and mentored assistants allocated to me, as well as other members of the Forensic Development and Forensic Investigations Teams. I took part in an on-call rota as a Duty Investigator, a role in which I was the first point of contact for advice and support to Police Forces and Explosive Ordnance Disposal Officers when responding to explosive-related crime scenes. I was a method expert for an analytical technique used to detect explosives and a standard operating procedure used to sample items for explosives traces. I also acted as casework liaison on a number of research projects within my organisation, directing the research by providing advice from an end-user forensic investigations perspective. I was Deputy Team Lead for FEL’s CBRNE (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosives) response team; a role in which I assisted in managing the project budget and established relationships across Dstl and in stakeholder communities.