Recent Presentations

2nd International Soil Forensics Conference, Edinburgh, Nov 2007

“Manganese staining of medieval bone from Hulton Abbey” Poster
Dr Neil Lamont [1], Mr Noel Boothroyd [2] Dr John P. Cassella [1],
Rachel Rushton [1], Dr Jamie Pringle [3]
1. Department of Forensic Science, Staffordshire University
2. Stoke-on-Trent Archaeology, Bethesda Street, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent
3. School of Earth Sciences & Geography, Keele University

Forensic Science Regional student Conference – Selected Posters and Oral contributions

Does Heating Bone Affect Mineral Composition And Content? -Poster (PDF, file size: 337.58KB)
Laura Reeve and John Cassella, Department of Forensic Science, Faculty of Science, Staffordshire University

Identification Of Burn Victims Through Tattoos - Poster (PDF, file size: 285.43KB)
Wilkes, VM and J.P. Cassella Department of Forensic Science, Faculty of Science, Staffordshire University

A Study Of The Effects Of Common Insecticides On The Colonisation And Decomposition Of Carrion By Invertebrates. – Oral
Andrew Chick, J.P. Cassella
Department of Forensic Science, Faculty of Science, Staffordshire University

Analysis Of Medieval Human Bone For Manganese Content By X-Ray Microanalysis using a SEM-Poster (PDF, file size: 680.39KB)
Amy L. Slater and Dr John Cassella
Department of Forensic Science, Faculty of Science, Staffordshire University

An Investigation To see If It Is Possible To Enhance The Visibility Of Tattoos On Burnt Tissue Using An Alternate Light Source, A Video spectral Comparator, Using Pig Skin As A Substitute For Human Tissue - Poster.

(PDF, file size: 294.69KB) Nicola J. Claypole and Dr John Cassella
Department of Forensic Science, Faculty of Science, Staffordshire University

A Study Of The Use Of Cadaver Dogs For Blood Scent Detection In Criminal Investigations (PDF, file size: 217.6KB)
Newbery Simon and Dr J.P. Cassella
Department of Forensic Science, Faculty of Science, Staffordshire University

Black Staining of Archaeological Bone from Hulton Abbey

(PDF, file size: 1.35MB) RUSHTON Rachel and Dr J.P. Cassella
Department of Forensic Science,
Faculty of Science, Staffordshire University (PDF, file size: 294.69KB)

Resulting from research conducted whilst on a University Learning and Teaching Fellowship Oral presentation at the Forensic Research and Teaching Conference (FORREST), The Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, July 2008

“Development of a Basic Research Culture Amongst Undergraduate Forensic Science Students Through the Organisation and Monitoring of a Regional Forensic Science Student Centred Research-Based Annual Conference” J.P.Cassella

Workshop at the Forensic Research and Teaching Conference (FORREST), The Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, July 2008

“Hulton Abbey Skeletal Digitisation (HASDiP) project – how to use the skeletal digital resource of a virtual skeleton”.  J.P.Cassella

J.P.Cassella presented a talk on Student research projects  “Research into Teaching” to the UK Forensic Science Education Group - HEA ‘Special Interest Group’ for Forensic Science at Northumbria University Practical Projects in Forensic Science May 23, 2007 School of Applied Sciences, Northumbria University.

J.P.Cassella presented: “Cautions and Limitations in Podiatric Identification Techniques” to podiatrists Forensic Podiatry Conference – London June 2007

Presentation: Keele University – Higher Education Academy Learning and Teaching conference – “From Crime Scene to Classroom - new strategies for teaching using modern technologies” J.P.Cassella

Utilising DNA from Cartridge Cases as a Means of Identification and Studying the Potential for DNA Deposition and Secondary Transfer of DNA. (Laura Walton, Email: l.m.walton@staffs.ac.uk).

Due to a recent rise in gun related crime, the ability to positively identify the individual who handled or discharged a weapon has become more important. Although fingerprints are an ideal form of identification, the ability to develop identifiable fingerprints on spent cartridge cases is variable. Other methods of identifying the handler of the cartridge case, in the form of a DNA profile, would be a useful alternative. This project will initially look at identifying the factors that affect the potential for retrieving a DNA profile, determining whether these factors can be overcome and using a variety of techniques in order to improve the quality of the DNA profile.
If a DNA profile can be recovered, it would be important to be able to state with confidence that the presence of an individuals DNA indicates that he/she was the final person to handle that object. Research will be carried out looking at the persistence and transfer of DNA to examine if the DNA profile found on an object is indicative of the final person to handle that object, and also to determine the potential for an individual to transfer another persons' DNA onto that object.

Poster presented at the 'Advances in Forensic DNA Analysis Conference' organised by the Forensic Science Society and Centre for Forensic Investigation held at the University of Teesside in September 2006. Also presented at the 2nd National FORREST (Forensic Research and Teaching) Forensic Science Conference held at the University of Central Lancashire in September 2006: CLICK HERE TO VIEW Secondary Transfer of DNA POSTER. (PDF, file size: 108.04KB)

Poster presented at the 'Human Identification In the 21st Century Conference' organised by the British Association for Human Identification held at the University of Surrey in April 2007: CLICK HERE TO VIEW POSTER. (PDF, file size: 49.56KB)

The Latent Fingerprint Sampler ( Sarah Fieldhouse, Email: s.j.fieldhouse@staffs.ac.uk).

There are many factors that can influence latent fingerprint deposition.  The composition of latent fingerprint residue has been researched extensively, but it is commonly a mixture of excretions from the eccrine, sebaceous, and even the apocrine glands, combined with miscellaneous contaminants arising from anything that the subject has handled.  Many factors are believed to influence the chemical composition of glandular secretions and thus fingerprint composition, including the age of the subject, gender, race, diet, occupation and stress.  The deposited fingerprint itself may be influenced by factors such as residue quantity, the pressure applied during deposition, the angle of deposition and the duration of surface contact, although there are others.  As a result of these factors it is extremely unlikely that the chemical and physical composition of two fingerprints will ever be identical.  This has produced problems with fingerprint research concerning the repeatability of experiments and the reliability of any conclusions made, for example, differences in fingerprint quality may be due to differences in the pressure of application when the fingerprint was deposited.   Due to the complexity of the factors that influence the chemical composition of a latent fingerprint it is not possible to control these factors in research using fingerprint donors, as these will vary according to the individual.  However, physical factors associated with latent fingerprint deposition may be controlled using the latent fingerprint sampler.

Poster presented at the 1st National FORREST (Forensic Research and Teaching) Forensic Science Conference held at Lincoln University in July 2005: CLICK HERE TO VIEW Latent Fingerprint Sampler POSTER. (PDF, file size: 60KB)

Poster presented at the Annual Presentations by Britain's Top Younger Scientists, Engineers and Technologists held at the House of Commons in March 2006: CLICK HERE TO VIEW Consistency and Reproducability in Fingerprint Sampling POSTER. (PDF, file size: 472.67KB)

The Production of National Trace Evidence Databases ( Claire Gwinnett, Email: c.gwinnett@staffs.ac.uk).

Trace evidence can be taken to mean any physical or biological evidence left at a crime scene that is not visible to the naked eye. Some classes of trace evidence, such as DNA and latent fingerprints, have existing national databases, whereas other types of trace evidence, such as fibres, glass, paint and soils do not. There is a clear need for the generation of national databases of these types of trace evidence. If such databases were available they would greatly enhance the evaluation of the significance of finding such materials at a crime scene.
The series of National Trace Evidence Databases will have two main purposes. The first of these will be for users of the database to be able to compare their own unknown trace evidence samples to samples of known provenance. The second purpose will be to give statistical information about the significance of trace evidence found at crime scenes. The first database under construction will be a textile fibres database.

Poster presented at the 1st National FORREST (Forensic Research and Teaching) Forensic Science Conference held at Lincoln University in July 2005: CLICK HERE TO VIEW National Trace Evidence Databases POSTER (PDF, file size: 253.72KB) .