FORENSIC EXPERTISE FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT & LEGAL AGENCIES

Forensic Outreach can offer skilled and experienced staff to aid in criminal investigations and provide expert testimony in court. In addition, our staff also act as consultants and educators to law enforcement officials. The following fields are available through Forensic Outreach.

FORENSIC ARCHAEOLOGY -

Forensic archaeology is the application of archaeological skills and excavation techniques to a crime scene environment. Archaeologists are able to uncover small finds, bones, and other evidence in an efficient, timely fashion and are adept at producing scale drawings and grave profiles. The key skill of the archaeologist is the ability to produce a despositional history and context to the finds. In short, archaeologists are able to recover the maximum amount of information from a hole in the ground.

Forensic archaeology has been utilised in instances of mass death such as "ground zero" in New York City and at nightclub fires; for mass grave excavation and war crimes; and in many criminal cases in the UK involving shallow grave burials. For some case studies, visit Forensic Archaeology Recovery. Our main field of expertise lies in forensic archaeology.

FINGERPRINT ENHANCEMENT TECHNIQUES FOR TEXTILES

There are many chemical developers on the market for the enhancement of fingerprints left in blood. However, fabrics pose a unique challenge due to the variety of composition. Natural and man-made fibres will react differently, absorb at different rates, and hold on to different amounts of residual stain. A cotton/polyester blended bed sheet will react differently to amino black, for instance, than a nylon blouse.

Forensic Outreach has recently conducted some preliminary research testing some of the chemical developers currently utilised by law enforcement agencies against a wide variety of fabric type and have produced a sound methodology for dealing with blood fingermarks on textiles.

FORENSIC AWARENESS TRAINING FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT

Forensic Outreach offers awareness training for police officers and Scenes of Crime officers. The course runs over 2 days and includes theory and practicals. In addition, all students receive a pocket-size "field guide." The topics covered include:

Forensic Archaeology
The Process of Decomposition& the Postmortem Interval
Forensic Anthropology (bones)
Fingerprint Examination
Forensic Ecology (soils, vegetation, and pollen analysis)
Environmental Profiling and Trace Evidence

LEGAL CONSULTATION & EXPERT WITNESS TESTIMONY

Forensic Outreach offers advice for barristers preparing for trial. Our specialists can review expert witness statements, translate the forensic jargon, and present an opinion on the methodology and conclusions therein.

OTHER AVAILABLE EXPERTISE