Staffordshire Forensic Partnership

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The partnership between Staffordshire Police and University of Staffordshire is helping to transform the use of forensic science. For communities affected by crime, our collaborative work is also having a tangible impact on the ground.

By bringing together police and academic experts to tackle real-world challenges, we’ve been able to test innovative ideas, explore the latest technologies and develop solutions. It has led to new ways of capturing and analysing evidence from crime scenes, improvements in decision-making and investigative practice, and better police training opportunities.

Since Staffordshire Forensic Partnership was launched in 2016, around 100 students have also been involved in placements, volunteering and research projects. They’ve gained valuable experience for their future careers – and have even contributed to changes in forensic procedures.

Our aims

Establish a Police and University Partnership

We will engage creative energy, push boundaries and challenge academia and policing to transform forensic science.

Explore and examine revolutionary techniques

We work to secure justice through innovative evidence capture, enhancement, interpretation, and presentation.

Helping the Police to deliver leading-edge services and products

We cover all areas of forensic science from policing to the courts by providing evidence-based research which helps Staffordshire Police securing justice for victims, the local community and wider society.

Joint celebration event

10 years of the Staffordshire Forensic Partnership and 25 of Forensics at University of Staffordshire

In January 2026 a special celebratory event was held on campus to reflect on these milestones, featuring panel discussions with industry experts, researchers, and alumni who were invited to share their experiences and tell the audience about their varied career destinations.

Read the news article

Recognition of the Partnership

The partnership is nationally recognised as a model to follow and has won two awards for its work. In 2017 the University won the Collaborative Award for Teaching Excellence (CATE) with the work of the partnership a fundamental factor in the award and in 2019 the Partnership won the National Undergraduate Employability Award for the best collaboration between a university and an employer.

Our history

The partnership was introduced by John Beckwith Head of Forensic Services, Staffordshire Police & Andrew Jackson the then Academic Group Leader, Forensic and Crime Sciences Department, University of Staffordshire who both realised the benefits of developing a partnership including training and development, student placements and development projects.

Early success from student placements supported their vision of creating a joint centre of excellence that would enhance the service Staffordshire Police provides to its communities, the role Staffordshire University plays in the education and employability of their students and the overall contribution forensic science makes to society. There was also a great fit with the ever changing and developing forensic environment, and the challenging financial climate within the Public Sector.

John and Andrew’s initial vision has been developed into an integrated partnership incorporating on a formal footing between Staffordshire Police, University of Staffordshire and the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner. It continues to grow from strength to strength.

Past events

Third year anniversary 2019

Since the programme was set up graduates have gone on to work in roles including forensic investigator, forensic presentation officer, university lecturer, and digital forensic analyst and examiner. They are now working with Staffordshire Police, West Midlands Police, Greater Manchester Police, Liverpool John Moores University and private sector digital forensics, among other organisations.

Member of the Staffordshire Forensic Partnership and University of Staffordshire are smartly dressed grouped together for a photograph at the event

Launch event 2016

The Staffordshire Forensic Partnership was officially launched on Thursday 28th April 2016, at Staffordshire University’s Science Centre.

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