Forensic and Crime Science News Spring/Summer 2010

We are pleased to announce that the New Product Development department at SciChem has been shortlisted for the Lord Stafford Award for Achievement in Innovation as part of the Knowldege Transfer partnership with Staffordshire University, Faculty of Sciences, Department of Forensic and Crime Science. These awards have been going for ten years and each year the best champions in innovation and university partnership are selected for the final. The SciChem NPD department has been shortlisted this year based upon the work done for the Forensic Investigation Kits and Workshops.

The NPD department at SciChem was launched in 2008 with the intention of producing bespoke curriculum relevant forensic resources that could benefit the education sector. Working* with lecturers from Staffordshire University the NPD department was created and is run by Philip Morton, a graduate and current MSc student who has given many Forensic Science workshops around the UK. Since inception the NPD department has worked with dozens of companies and advisors to create 62 different products to-date. Focussing mainly on Applied Science & Forensic Science, they have also developed products across all sciences from primary school right upto students at university.

We eagerly anticipate the results of the Lord Stafford final on 18th November 2010.

Research poster presentation wins prize at  the Higher Education Academy Conference at the University of Hertfordshire on June 30th 2010.

Professor John Cassella presented a poster of some of his research into the digitisation of skeletal material for use in teaching and research. The poster (PDF, file size: 2.46MB) was presented at the HEA Annual conference and John was presented with the "Judges' choice" prize of a glass trophy.
 
The work from this research is freely available on the JorumOpen website
http://open.jorum.ac.uk/xmlui/handle/123456789/7008

Forensic Science – Digging Deep For Experience 19th June 2010

Students from Forensic and Crime Science spent a day with Stoke-on-Trent archaeology service to gain experience in the basic elements of archaeology this weekend.

Digging up history and digging for a body share such much in common, so it was good experience for the students to develop their skills in this area.

The site was Sharpe’s Pottery in Swadlincote, Derbyshire. The ‘Bottle Kiln’, which were much in evidence in the last century, still holds secrets which the team worked on before it is lost forever to new building work

This invaluable training will give students some extra skills for their chosen careers– next time they may be digging for more than pottery!

On Wednesday 9th June 2010 over 30 science technicians from Staffordshire and Cheshire Schools enjoyed a technician workshop day at the university.

They all took part in the workshops selecting from :-

A dip into datalogging by Barbara Higginbotham of Data Harvest,
Making their own DNA necklace by Hilary Cable of Scientific and Chemical,
Forensics techniques by Philip Morton of Staffordshire University and Scientific and Chemical,
Understanding power supplies, oscilloscopes and signal generators by John Whitehead of Lascells,

before coming together for a presentation of the Silly Bus again by John from Lascells.

A good day was had by all and thank you to everyone involved.

VIIIth International Congress of the Association of Forensic Handwriting Experts (G.F.S.) 
 
Visiting research fellow Nikolaos Kalantzis presents at the VIIIth International Congress of the Association of Forensic Handwriting Experts (G.F.S.) in Dresden, 02.06.10 - 05.06.10

The GFS (Gesellschaft für Forensische Schriftuntersuchung)  is a registered society and recorded in court. The society counts approx. 70 members from 9 European countries, they are working in the fields of handwritings, typewritten and printed documents and other special techniques of document examinations. The GFS holds an international conference every three years where advances in the field of handwriting and document examination are presented.

In this year’s conference Nikolaos Kalantzis will present his research on the interferences in forensic comparison of inks through Raman Spectroscopy, part of which is being carried out in Staffordshire University.

On the 27th May 10 Technicians from Colleges and Universities across England attended the Do Forensic! Course. The day started with a tour of our facilities and the group then took part in several practical workshops with an emphasis on how Forensic Science could be taught with limited resources. In the afternoon they were taught about the processing of crime scenes, including sketching and measuring, and how to create realistic crime scenes including trauma make-up.

The feedback from this event was very positive:
Thank you for an excellent day which was both instructive and enjoyable, mainly due to the energy and enthusiasm of the staff involved, who I have to say were brilliant!
Kind Regards, Allan

Staffordshire University student’s success at Bournemouth University on the MSc Forensic and Biological Anthropology: Crime Scene and International Investigations – one finishes as the next one joins!  Karen Redmile has just successfully completed the course at Bournemouth and hot on her trail of success is Kelly Eggleton.

“Forensic Archaeology involves the use of archaeological principles and techniques for the location, recovery, and interpretation of evidence for past events within the constraints of the criminal justice system. Forensic archaeology utilises both field and laboratory skills in the investigation of serious crime, missing persons cases, human rights and mass disasters which ranges from searching for and excavating clandestine graves to the international investigation of crimes against humanity.”

Both Karen and Kelly completed final year undergraduate projects at Staffordshire University with Professor John Cassella and decided that they wished to make the specialist discipline - Forensic Archaeology their career choice.

We wish both Karen and Kelly success and we will follow their careers with interest.

Thursday 22nd April 2010 – four level 3 forensic science students (Lauren Holley, Leigh-Ann Green, Sara Walker and Nicola Horridge) went down to the Bullring shopping centre in Birmingham to assist school children and members of the public who were trying out "CSI THE EXPERIENCE". The students were featured in an article in the Birmingham Mail.

On Thursday 29th April 2010, Jodie Dunnett, lecturer in Forensic Science, and four of her level 3 forensic science students (Amy McKnight, Sarah Taylor, Nicola Horridge and Leigh-Ann Green) went down to "CSI THE EXPERIENCE" and met up with Radio 1’s Greg James. They assisted Greg as he analysed one of the crime scenes and featured on his show later that afternoon. There are also photos on his blog :- http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/photos/gregjames/5915#gallery5915

Jodie has also given interviews to the Daily Mirror, BBC Radio Stoke and BRMB regarding our involvement with "CSI THE EXPERIENCE".

Week beginning 10th May 2010 interviews were given to the Guardian, about the use of forensic science in schools, and to BBC Radio Stoke where a piece was recorded at the crime scene house.

Visiting research fellow Nikolaos Kalantzis presents at the 4th International Conference of the Forensic Medicine Authority in Cairo, Egypt 20.04.10 - 22.04.2010

Forensic Medicine is one of the associates Under the Ministry of Justice. Specialists working with this device are trained to acquire skills necessary to provide the technical and scientific evidences of reports submitted to the Courts.

During the conference advances in all forensic disciplines were presented. The University’s research in Raman Spectroscopy was presented on an oral presentation receiving great interest from attendees of the conference.

In the end of the conference visiting research fellow Nikolaos Kalantzis was presented among others a commemorative award from the Egyptian Ministry of Justice.

Dr Karl Harrison presents at Society for American Archaeology Conference 2010.

The Society for American Archaeology is the largest organization of professional archaeologists of the Americas in the world. The Society was founded in 1934 and today has over 7000 members.

The SAA's 75th Anniversary Conference was held in St Louis, MO in April 2010.  Dr Harrison was asked to feature in a specialist Conference sub-group concentrating on Forensic Archaeology.  He presented on his current research on the integration of fire investigation and buildings archaeology, and also chaired a session focusing on the application of best practice standards to operational forensic archaeology.

Dr. Roger Summers, Senior Lecturer in Forensic and Crime Science, was called in by the Lebanese authorities and Ethiopian Ailrines to lead the disaster victim identification protocols and strategies involved with this disaster.  He also acted as Forensic liaison between all countries involved.  These experiences will be utilised within his teaching of current students.

On Monday evening 25th January 2010, a Boeing 737-800 crashed into the Mediterranean Sea in stormy weather shortly after takeoff from Beirut Rafik Hariri International Airport.  None of the 90 passengers and crew on board survived.

The plane crashed into the Mediterranean Sea about three kilometres off the coastal village of Naameh, five kilometres from the Lebanese capital, Beirut.  The flight was carrying 82 passengers and 8 crew.  51 of the passengers were Lebanese and 23 Ethiopian.  2 were British nationals and the remaining 6 were Turkish, French, Russian, Canadian, Syrian and Iraqi citizens.  Witnesses said the plane was on fire shortly after take off.  A Lebanese defence official said others reported that the plane broke up into three pieces.  A lightening strike is rumoured to have been the cause of the accident but at the time of writing this document, no official confirmation has been made.  It is believed that 26 bodies have been recovered.  An army spokesperson said “5 of the dead have been identified as Ethiopians”.

According to the Lebanese Transportation Minister, Ghazi Aridi, the pilot made a fast and strange turn minutes after takeoff and flew in the opposite direction from the path recommended by the control tower.

The professional relationships forged with both medical personnel/pathologists, senior executives of Ethiopian Airlines and the senior officers of the International Security Services, Beirut are well founded and worthy of future developments in the interests of International Disaster Victim Identification protocols and strategies which will enhance our meaningful international relationships, which Roger has been encouraged to pursue further.

An idea generated by Staffordshire University has been taken up in a collaborative relationship with SciChem Ltd, a regional company based in Wolverhampton. Staffordshire University’s Department of Forensic and Crime Science have an ongoing contribution to this novel Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) project through a scientific and pedagogic input, whilst the company utilise their development and sales/distribution expertise.

There is a national need to increase engagement with Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subjects. This KTP partnership enables schools and colleges to support the development of key STEM skills for students of all ages. These products and educational materials are designed to make science fun, showing relevance to real life situations and demonstrate that studying science subjects can enhance employment potential.

SciChem have now developed a ‘New Product Development (NPD) Department’ as part of a  KTP with the with the Department of Forensic and Crime Science. They have the scientific and educational competence to design products prepared for individual course curricula together with specific training opportunities for technicians and teachers.

Forensic Science at Staffordshire University works with Primecare Forensic Medical to deliver a new bespoke University Learning Award

Primecare Forensic Medical Police is part of the Nestor Healthcare Group plc. They are a 24-hour business providing healthcare services to a number of police authorities throughout the country.  Primecare Forensic Medical offers both in- and out-of-hours healthcare solutions to secure establishments, police forces and immigration centres, offering a highly developed service providing care to patients presented in unique and challenging environments.

As part of their staff development to keep at the top of their profession Primecare and Forensic and Crime Science at Staffordshire University have successfully delivered the first of four modules leading to a bespoke University Learning Award, the first of its kind in the UK.
The first module on forensic awareness concluded with a 2 day workshop in the University’s Crime Scene House where Primecare staff worked through Crime Scenes – one involving a murder - in order to consolidate their learning on aspects of forensic science from the Crime Scene to the Courtroom.

Our Forensic and Crime Science department has forged a unique partnersip with "ThinkForensic.co.uk" to deliver a series of workshops aimed at giving students from Staffordshire schools an insight into the fascinating world of forensic science. Students are invited to the university for a day of science and intrigue as they work their way through a “who dunnit” scenario.

Following an initial briefing it’s a visit to the university’s crime scene house where, guided by Think Forensic’s crime scene experts, the students become “superslueths” exploring the scene of the crime for themselves. Evidence such as blood spatter, entomology, fingerprints, hair and fibre etc. is gathered and taken back to the university laboratories where, following analysis, the students reach their own scientific conclusion.
Workshops are suitable for all ages but are particularly useful as a STEM activity, to enhance B Tech courses and Applied Science Curriculum or as Aim higher Programmes.

In collaboration with the Forensic Science Department at Staffordshire University, Think Forensic will provide:-

• Interactive workshops specifically tailored to any age and ability
  

• Seminars and presentations for full year groups
  

• “Who dunnits” and crime scene scenarios
  

• A web site containing ready prepared worksheets for teachers with busy schedules and students who want to develop their own skills
  

• Forensic science and crime scene resource kits suitable for KS3, KS4 and post 16
  

• Online point of advice and assistance
  
  

Further information can be obtained from Think Forensic