Studying Forensic Investigation

Introducing your course leader - David Flatman-Fairs

Hello, I’m David, the course leader for the Forensic Investigation courses. Thank you for applying to study with us.

Although I initially trained as a chemist, my main areas of interest and teaching are now in the world of footwear impressions, tyre marks and crime scenes. Throughout the course I will work with you on many of the criminalistic methods and crime scene related modules.

You’ll get hands-on experience of scene processing, including collecting and packaging evidence. As well as giving you understanding of how footwear and tyre marks can be used as evidence.

I am also heavily involved with the running and development of the Staffordshire Forensic Partnership (SFP), which is a formal collaboration with Staffordshire Police's Forensic Department. The partnership gives you the possibility of undertaking placements with them or conducting research driven by their needs. Plus, you’ll have guest lectures from Police staff.

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Interactive virtual tour - simulated crime scene

Take an interactive tour of one of the spaces in our £2.2m simulation facilities at our Stoke campus.

This immersive simulation has been created by the Forensics team to showcase our versatile facilities and how they can be used as life-like crime scenes for our students to gain practical skills and experiences needed for the real-world. 

Pan through the scenes and interact with each of the items to learn more about the evidence and how they relate to your course. 

*Content advisory: a mannequin has been used to simulate a body 

Explore the simulated crime scene

Graduate stories, Craig Ratcliffe – Forensic Co-ordinator with Staffordshire Police

Explore the possibilities that next-level teaching will have on your future. Craig Ratcliffe graduated from University of Staffordshire. He now works as a Forensics Co-ordinator for Staffordshire Police, having progressed in his career.

Hear how his time studying with us supported him in gaining employment through our next-level teaching and placement opportunities.

Craig secured his first role with West Mercia Police in digital forensics before he graduated, which started his career journey.

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Graduate Stories, Sian Hill – Digital Forensic Investigator with Greater Manchester Police

As a student, we’ll help you build confidence in your abilities, so when you reach the workplace, you feel fully prepared. Sian is a Digital Forensic Investigator with Greater Manchester police.

She talks about the skills and knowledge she gained on both her undergraduate and postgraduate courses at University of Staffordshire, and how they led her to her current role which she secured before graduating.

She also shares the most rewarding parts of her role now and how she’s able to make a difference in the world.

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Teaching staff

David Flatman-Fairs

Senior Lecturer

David has been a lecturer at Staffordshire University since 2002, and is now Course Leader for Forensic Investigation. His expertise are in Chemical Analysis, Criminalistic Methods and Crime Scene Processing.

David's profile

Dr Duncan Parker

Course Director

Duncan Parker joined the university in 2017 as a lecturer in Chemistry, teaching on the Forensic Science degrees. He is now Course Leader for Forensic Science and Course Director for Forensic Science and Investigation.

Duncan's profile

Dr Claire Gwinnett

Professor

I am a Professor in Forensic and Environmental Science. I specialise in forensic fibres analysis, mircoplastics and plastic pollution, hair analysis, paint analysis and glass analysis.

Claire's profile

Dean Northfield

Senior Lecturer

Dean worked for West Yorkshire Police as a VIPER Officer (2 Years) then an Imaging Officer (6 years). He progressed to Senior Imaging Officer, before finishing his time at West Yorkshire Police in the Forensic Multimedia Unit

Dean's profile

Dr Neil Lamont

Senior Lecturer

Neil's expertise is in analytical chemistry developed in the area of environmental science. He is module leader for Basic Chemical Concepts, Vehicle Collision Investigation and Environmental Forensics and is a member of the Royal Society of Chem…

Neil's profile

Dr Abdulrahman Oleiwi

Senior Lecturer

Abdulrahman is a lecturer in forensic genetics and forensic biology. He joined Staffordshire University in 2019 within the school of Law, Policing and Forensics and lectures at all levels on Forensic Biology and DNA Profiling.

Abdulrahman's profile

Dr Kirsty Squires

Associate Professor

Kirsty is an Associate Professor of Bioarchaeology and MSc Forensic Science course leader.

Kirsty's profile

Dr Sarah Fieldhouse

Associate Professor

I am a Senior Lecturer and I specialise in fingerprints and their use as forensic evidence.

Sarah's profile

Dr Alison Davidson

Technical Specialist-Analytical Chemistr

I work in the University’s Analytical Methods Laboratory maintaining a wide range of analytical instrumentation, facilitating the teaching of analytical chemistry and working with researchers.

Alison's profile

Dr Lauren Metcalfe

Course Director

Lauren completed her PhD in Evidence Based Policing and joined Staffordshire University in 2017. She is now Course Leader for Professional Policing (our Pre-join degree) and Course Director for our policing degrees.

Lauren's profile

Dr Leanne Savigar-Shaw

Senior Lecturer

I am a Lecturer in Policing with an academic and research background. I have been involved in a number of research projects focusing on mobile phone use by drivers, police legitimacy and procedural justice.

Leanne's profile

Dr Laura Walton-Williams

Director Of Enterprise Edu Ass Professor

Laura has been a lecturer at Staffordshire University since 2004. Actively involved in research in forensic science, she also conducts consultancy in the examination of evidence of a biological origin. Laura's areas of expertise include DNA an…

Laura's profile

Rachel Bolton-King

Visiting Fellow

I am an Associate Professor (Tef) and I specialise in forensic firearm identification and ammunition, ballistics imaging, and shooting incident reconstruction.

Rachel's profile

Your next steps

  1. Accept your offer

    An exciting new chapter awaits you here at University of Staffordshire - we can't wait to meet you. Before you can progress with finance or accommodation choices, you'll need to confirm your offer via UCAS.

    Accept your offer

  2. Apply for student finance

    It's best to arrange your student finance before starting University. You can learn more about student finance and make an application at www.gov.uk/student-finance. Our support team is here to help, get in touch if you have any questions about student finance.

    Enquire about finance

  3. Apply for your accommodation

    We have a range of accommodation to choose from to suit all lifestyles and budgets, including en-suite and accessible rooms. Browse rooms and find out how to apply.

    Browse University accommodation
for Career Prospects

Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023

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Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023

for Social Inclusion

The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023

of Research Impact is ‘Outstanding’ or ‘Very Considerable’

Research Excellence Framework 2021

of Research is “Internationally Excellent” or “World Leading”

Research Excellence Framework 2021

Four Star Rating

QS Star Ratings 2021