TEESSIDE UNIVERSITY
CSI CONFERENCE
Boundaries for the examination of the crime scene – where are they?
1 April 2015
Stephenson Building, Teesside University
Boundaries for the crime scene investigator – where are they?
Teesside University and conference partner the College of Policing, together with The
Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences, extend a warm welcome to you here at our
Middlesbrough campus.
We recognise the importance of developing world class crime scene investigators and have
put together an exciting programme of presentations and workshops, with opportunities to
network with our exhibitors and experts.
Crime scene investigation uses many skills: both physical and cognitive. How much attention
do we afford the cognitive element, such as decision making, empathy, reassurance and
more, which could be embraced with the terms competency and professional judgement?
CSIs are often measured using metrics based upon the number of forensic products they
recover or get identified. However is this everything and is it enough? What do we mean
when we discuss professional judgment in this field of work? What skills and attributes do
we value in our CSIs? Have we ever bothered to find out? Do we really value these, and if
we do, how do we ensure that these talents are developed and shared?
Some of our delegates may come to this conference with preconceived ideas about whether
CSIs are technicians, or professionals with expertise or scene experts? More than this what
do we mean by expertise and what value will it give the organisation if we bother to engage
with it?
If you have the vision, these are the questions and topics that you can debate at our
conference.
Thank you for your participation, we hope you will enjoy this thought-provoking conference.
Brian Rankin
Conference President
CONFERENCE PROGRAMME
10.00am
10.05am
Conference opening and welcome from Professor
Cliff Hardcastle, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research &
Business Engagement)
Brian Rankin, Conference President
10.10am
Plenary 1: Ian Elkins, Senior Policy Adviser, Crown
Prosecution Service
10.40am
Plenary 2: Dr Gillian Tully, Forensic Science Regulator
11.10am
Refreshments, networking and exhibitions
11.30am
Tom Nelson, Director Forensic Services, Scottish Police
Authority
11.50am
Dr Mark Butler ,Teesside University
12.10pm
Dr Anya Hunt, CEO, The Chartered Society of Forensic
Sciences
12.30pm
Lunch, networking and exhibitions
1.25pm
Workshops: 1.2.3.4.5.8
2.05pm
Workshops: 2.4.5.6.7 8
3.00pm
Refreshments, networking and exhibitions
3.20pm
Workshops: 1.3.6.7
4.00pm
Karen Smith, Police CSI Lead, University of Florida
4.20pm
Closing comments, Brian Rankin
4.30pm
Optional tour of facilities
WORKSHOPS
1 The role of the forensic science specialist
adviser
Kirsty Potter, National Forensics Specialist
Adviser
2 The creation of 3D digitisations using
surface scanning
David Errickson and Paul Norris, Teesside
University
3 Fibre lifting at scenes
Dr Claire Gwinnett and Professor Andrew
Jackson, Staffordshire University
Phillip J Brooke,
Teesside University
4 Digital evidence: cybercrime
investigations
5 DNA 17
6 Fingerprint visualisation manual and its
utilisation at crime scenes
Shirley Marshall,
Teesside University
Helen Bandey, Home Office Science, Centre
for Applied Science and Technology
7 Practitioner competence
Abigail Lagden, College of Policing
8 Rapid DNA
John Rogan, Home Office Science, Centre for
Applied Science and Technology
..............................................................................................................................
Speakers
The CSI professional – an expert witness?
Ian Elkins, Senior Policy Adviser (Forensics and Experts), Crown Prosecution Service
It is imperative for public confidence in the criminal justice system that the right offenders are
brought to justice for the right offences. This can only be achieved on the basis of credible, reliable
and admissible evidence. Forensic evidence (including that obtained using new and developing
techniques) is vital in securing many convictions, but only if it is obtained, handled and reported in a
manner that complies with quality standards, assurance processes and the law of evidence and
presented to the court in a way that can be clearly understood by properly qualified witnesses.
Are these witnesses experts? What scientists, technicians, police officers and lawyers consider to be
expert evidence may differ. This presentation endeavours to explain what the criminal justice system
considers to be an expert witness and what is expected of them.
Ian Elkins
Ian is a solicitor and Crown Advocate who was a criminal defence lawyer for eight years prior to
joining the CPS in 2001. He managed the South East Essex prosecution team before joining CPS HQ
Policy Directorate in 2013.
Quality standards at crime scenes: right from the start
Dr Gillian Tully Forensic Science Regulator
Investigation and recovery at the crime scene are the first, critical interventions in a long chain
leading, in some cases, to court. Collecting the right evidence, in the right way, has an enormous
impact on the success of analyses in forensic science laboratories, and hence on complexity of
interpretation and eventual strength of evidence. It is therefore self-evident that this part of the
process must be conducted to high quality standards, by well-trained and highly competent
professionals, equipped with the appropriate materials and methods.
Embedding quality systems is an active and evolving activity: a static quality system is a failing
quality system. The role of Crime Scene Investigators in the development and improvement of
quality systems will be discussed.
Dr Gillian Tully
Gill spent over 20 years at the Forensic Science Service (FSS), specialising in DNA innovation,
including the early PCR multiplex systems, mitochondrial DNA analysis, low template DNA analysis,
automation of DNA methods and rapid DNA systems. She reported many mitochondrial DNA cases in
court, as well as giving evidence in high profile cases where the validity of scientific methods was at
issue. Her portfolio of research leadership broadened to encompass the entire R&D team in the FSS.
In 2012, Gill became a founding member of Principal Forensic Services, and consulted in the UK and
abroad, primarily in relation to forensic science innovation and quality systems. Since November
2014, she has been the Forensic Science Regulator, responsible for setting standards in forensic
science.
Crime scene examiners
Tom Nelson, OBE, MRSC, CChem, FCSFS
Director, Forensic Services, Scottish Police Authority
Tom will look at the crime scene to court delivery model in Scotland contrasting it to the model
elsewhere. He will look at the role of a crime scene examiner from a “bag and tag” to an
interpretative role. What a scene assessment strategy is and is not. Scene preservation, note taking,
photography and presenting evidence in court, linking this to professional judgement decision
making (skills, experience and intuition). He will also compare the various approaches to volume
crime scenes and major incidents. Tom will also explore the value accreditation UKAS 17020
standard will have on scene of crime officers and the impact of this on their departments. And in
conclusion look at what the future holds.
Dr Tom Nelson
Tom has been a forensic scientist for over 30 years and is a graduate of the Royal Society of
Chemistry having also studied for a Diploma in Professional Management with the Open University.
He began my career at the Northern Ireland Forensic Science Laboratory, developing a specialist
expertise in fire investigation and chemical analysis. His varied career includes working in all areas of
forensic science; at the bench, reporting major and complex cases, giving expert testimony in court
and attending numerous crime scenes. In 1995 he became Director of the Lothian and Borders Police
Forensic Science Laboratory.
Tom was appointed Director of the Forensic Services Scottish Police Service Authority (SPSA) now
the Scottish Police Authority (SPA) in 2007. He has worked with the Scottish Government, ACPOS
and the Crown Office Procurator Fiscal Service to establish “a crime scene to court delivery model”,
bringing together for the first time four key business areas: forensic laboratories, scene examination,
business support and fingerprints.
Tom has developed close links with universities across Scotland and is a member of the Scottish
Institute of Policing Research which links 13 Scottish universities, Police Scotland and the SPA. As a
member of the Forensic Science Advisory Council Tom supports the Forensic Regulator with the
varied forensic approaches across the United Kingdom. In 2009 Tom received an OBE for his services
to forensic science and youth work and in 2010 he was awarded a Doctorate from Napier University.
Searching in the right places for crime scene investigator development
Dr Mark Butler, Teesside University
How do we develop CSIs? What skills are really valued or needed? This session will explore the
differences captured using eye-tracking technology, between ‘novice and expert’ crime scene
examiners. In addition it will cover the decision making processes CSIs face even at routine volume
crime, ascertained from head-mounted camera recordings.
The conclusions to be discussed here are that expert examiners do not see more than novices,
instead they simply see aspects of the discipline differently. New practitioners reply on peers and
chance interactions for guidance and development.
How does this connect with standards in the sector and are we any further forward in developing
the CSI for the modern world?
Discourse is emerging and evolving in this profession along with a new policing landscape;
nevertheless theory from other domains potentially provides a low cost solution to developing the
CSI practitioner.
Dr Mark Butler
Mark graduated from Teesside University in Applied Science & Forensic Measurement. His first role
as a scenes of crime officer was with Leicestershire Constabulary and during this time he completed
his Diploma in Scientific Support Skills from Durham University as well as a membership level fire
investigation qualification from the Institute of Fire Engineers.
At Leicestershire Constabulary Mark was promoted and in 2003 was selected as a permanent
member of the instructional team at the National Training Centre, Harperley Hall, teaching
operational CSIs from across the country and overseas. In 2006 Mark was appointed a Senior
Lecturer in Crime Scene Science at Teesside University. That same year he completed his PGCE
teaching qualification, before gaining a distinction in a master’s in fire investigation. Mark completed
a part-time PhD exploring Crime Scene Investigator practice, publishing material on eye-tracking and
head-mounted camera technology in 2014 and is currently Course Leader for the Crime Scene
Science degree.
The future is bright the future is chartered
Dr Anya Hunt CEO Forensic Science Society
The Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences is delighted to attend this event to talk to you about the
benefits of the professional body holding a Royal Charter. It will explore what that could mean to
you as a member and the quality competency testing framework it is developing to assist in a wide
range of disciplines from crime scene to court. The aim longer term is to show the court the value of
Chartered Forensic Practitioners.
Dr Anya Hunt
Anya has worked in the field of forensic science since graduating from Strathclyde with an MSc in
Forensic Science in 1991. She has worked throughout the UK and Europe predominantly in the area
of forensic chemistry. Anya worked as a reporting officer in paint, glass, fire investigation and
footwear. She began her career at Fort Halstead in 1992 as a trainee reporting officer and then after
working towards a PhD moved to the University of Strathclyde’s Forensic Science Unit where she
was a Short Courses Lecturer. In 2000 Anya was appointed Chemistry Team Leader at Tayside Police
Forensic Science Lab. In 2003 she worked for LGC Forensics beginning as Chemistry Reporting
Officer and then into project management and latterly as part of the business development team. In
2008 Anya joined Olympus as National Forensic Manager specialising in business development and
forensic applications before moving to MMi in the summer of 2009 where she was Director of
International Sales & Marketing. Anya became CEO of the Newly Chartered Society of Forensic
Sciences in May 2014.
Anya has been an active member of the Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences since 1991 and a
Professional Member since 2009. She was co-opted on to Council in 2006 and was Chair of Standards
until 2009. Anya was responsible for the full implementation of the University accreditation scheme
and for the development of the Forensic Skillsmark and latterly of the development of Individual
Accreditation and CPD and is currently working to implement the Chartered Forensic Practitioner
level of professional membership. Anya was Honorary Treasurer of the Society from 2009 to 2014
before stepping down to take up the role as CEO
The changing face(s) of crime scene investigators over the past 25 years
Karen Smith
The lecture will include how the roles and expectations of the CSI (previously SOCO) have
changed over the past 25 years from both the speaker’s personal experience and national
influences.
It will touch on the physical evidence collection, but taking into account that the role of a CSI
is far more than a ‘collector’ of evidence, the complex cognitive skills will also be explored
throughout this lecture.
Looking to the future, we anticipate potential developments in the day of a crime scene
investigator and predict whether their current skill set will suffice for the ever changing
digital world.
Karen Smith
Karen’s career began in 1986 as a medical laboratory scientific officer in the NHS histopathology lab.
From 1988 - 1995 she was a scenes of crime officer with Thames Valley Police, Reading, where she
gained experience of many types of crime scenes ranging through from volume crime through to sex
offences, murders and terrorist activity. She was appointed a senior scenes of crime officer in Slough
in 1995, supervising a small team of SOCOs before becoming a crime scene manager. Karen became
a regular trainer for internal and external partners eg fire service, prisons
In 2005 Karen secured the role of principal scenes of crime officer at TVP HQ where she managed
the whole SOC department and took on crime scene co-ordination for the more complex major
crimes. Responsibilities included the recruitment, training and development of SOC staff and their
performance measures. Between 2005 - 2008 Karen was a forensic service manager responsible for
managing the scenes of crime department and all aspects of forensic services including forensic
submissions and external forensic suppliers.
Currently Karen is a scientific support manager with responsibility for the Forensic Investigation Unit
which includes scenes of crime (latterly crime scene investigation), fingerprints, fingerprint
development lab, central lab services and all digital units (CCTV, high tech crime and imaging). She is
also responsible for the departmental development of quality standards and writing and delivering
the Forensic Productivity Plan (efficiency savings). In addition Karen is the CSI lead on the national
Forensic Delivery Board and also Chair of the National Quality Managers Expert Network.
WORKSHOPS
1 The role of the forensic science specialist adviser
Kirsty Potter, National Forensic Specialist Adviser, National Crime Agency
A case study will be provided based on an actual major crime investigation which utilised the
support of the NCA National Forensic Specialist Adviser. Delegates will be able to consider, suggest
and discuss the potential for support to the forensic science strategy, engagement with forensic
scientists/force personnel, interpretation of scientific findings and the assistance provided to the
investigation team by the Specialist Adviser in cases such as this.
2 The creation of 3D digitisations using surface scanning
David Errickson and Paul Norris, Teesside University
The application of newer technologies within the crime scene is becoming increasingly common;
hence surface scanners are now being purchased for crime scene reconstruction in car crash
investigation and full scene recording. On the other hand, these techniques are being overlooked for
individual items of evidence such as osteological material and footwear impressions. At Teesside
University we have been exploring the endless possibilities that portable surface scanning
techniques possess for recording trauma in bones and footwear impressions with minimal or nocontact. This has been achieved for visualisation of such evidence for later viewing within the
courtroom or additional analysis long after the ephemeral object has been destroyed. This
workshop will demonstrate the potential of this technology while presenting some of the examples
already achieved in our research.
David Errickson
David’s interests focus on sharp and blunt force trauma to skeletal remains in a forensic context,
specifically how this type of evidence is visualised within the courtroom. He is using several noncontact techniques, surface, microscopic and structured light scanning, to create 3D models as a new
method for courtroom presentation. David is also assessing the influence 3D models may have for
biasing the jury in a criminal trial.
Paul Norris
Paul’s final year research project is looking at using 3D structured light scanning techniques to
recover footwear marks from a crime scene, using a non-contact method. The scanning produces 3D
images that can be compared against images of footwear, and statistical comparisons can be made
using computer software.
3 A new tape lifting system for the rapid, reliable recovery and analysis of evidence from
crime scenes
Dr Claire Gwinnett and Professor Andrew Jackson, Staffordshire University
The value of fibres evidence is undeniable – and yet, in most cases, such evidence is deemed too
expensive to collect. A new tape lifting system (Easylift) has been developed with the aim of
overcoming this problem. This workshop will outline the use of this new technology in a pilot project
with UK police forces, in which Easylift is being utilised at burglary scenes. Delegates can try this new
system and compare it to extant tape lifting methods. You will also be encouraged to provide
feedback on Easylift to inform future developments.
Dr Claire Gwinnett
Claire is a Principal Lecturer and Researcher in the Forensic and Crime Science department and
Student Experience Manager for the Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Sciences at Staffordshire
University. Areas of expertise include; trace evidence (particularly hairs and fibres, contamination
prevention, textile damage, transfer and persistence studies), competency testing and forensic
database production. She is a Council Member of the Royal Chartered Society of Forensic Science
and an adviser to their competency scheme for forensic practitioners. Currently, Claire is the UK lead
for a new ERASMUS + Strategic partnerships project in the development of a new European Forensic
Education Network.
Professor Andrew Jackson
Andrew is the leader of Forensic and Crime Science at Staffordshire University. He is a Fellow of the
Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences. He chairs the society’s Continuing Professional Development
and Continuing Professional Competence sub-committee and is the co-chair of its Standards
Committee. Andrew served on the working group that produced the Forensic Science Benchmark
statement. His research interests are primarily in the analysis and evaluation of non-biological
physical evidence.
4 Digital evidence: cybercrime investigations
Phillip J Brooke, Teesside University
Investigation of cyber-dependent and cyber-enabled crimes requires the capture of evidence from
Internet sources. Common examples include social media such as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
The computers hosting this content are typically difficult to physically access, sometimes in a
different country and may pose great inconvenience to innocent parties if seized. More generally,
offences that traditionally had no computer element increasingly involve computers, mobile devices
or the Internet to some degree. As a result, there is increasing demand for Internet evidence
capture.
This workshop is aimed at those working in a UK law enforcement environment. It outlines the
process used at a local police force to carry out evidence capture. This covers issues around
authorisation, capturing the evidence, packaging, transport and verification. We also illustrate some
of the (prototype) tools we use. This work derives from a secondment funded by the Royal Academy
of Engineering and hosted by Cleveland Police.
Phillip Brooke
Phil has worked at the School of Computing, Teesside University since 2005. He has interests in
cybercrime, information security and formal methods. During 2013/14, the Royal Academy of
Engineering funded his secondment to Cleveland Police to investigate reliable approaches to
gathering evidence and intelligence from network sources.
5 DNA 17- what is it and are there any implications for the CSI?
Shirley Marshall, Teesside University
As DNA technology increases in sensitivity and the amount of DNA can be analysed to produce a
profile. But what is the impact of this increased sensitivity on location, recovery and contamination
issues for the CSI. The workshop will cover the impact of DNA 17 on the CSI
Shirley Marshall
Shirley has been a forensic scientist for over 20 years. Her career began with the Metropolitan Police
Forensic Science Laboratory in 1990 and then moving to Lothian & Borders Police, Edinburgh
Scotland, where she worked as a reporting officer in general biology before becoming the head of
the DNA Profiling section.
Shirley joined Teesside University in 2005 and is a Principal Lecturer leading the forensic and
investigative sciences subject area, although she still finds time to do some casework. She lectures at
all levels on forensic biology, DNA profiling and the professional aspects of being a forensic scientist
and expert witness. Shirley has actively contributed to national working groups on DNA, forensic
science education and the National DNA Database.
As a Fellow of the Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences (CSFS) she currently acts as the Society’s
representative on the Forensic Science Regulator’s (Home Office) DNA Specialist Group. Her
involvement with the CSFS began as a member in 1992 and she served on Council from 2000 to
2008, the latter six years as Honorary Secretary. Shirley is actively involved in standard setting in
forensic science education and regularly participates in accreditation assessments of university
courses in the UK and Europe. Shirley is a Chartered Biologist and Fellow of the Institute of Biology.
6 Fingermark recovery
Dr Helen Bandey, Home Office Centre for Applied Science and Technology
It has been one year since the Home Office Centre of Applied Science and Technology (CAST)
published the Fingermark Visualisation Manual (FVM) and implemented it across UK police forces.
Although the FVM is a core document for forensic laboratory officers, it also has valuable
information for the CSI community. During this workshop the presenter (and Editor of the FVM)
would like to give an overview of how the FVM is intended to be used by CSIs and get feedback from
the audience based upon their experiences with it. This feedback will be considered during future
updates to the FVM, so please bring along your thoughts and ideas.
Dr Helen Bandey
Helen obtained a first class BSc (Hons) degree and PhD in chemistry from the University of Leicester
in 1994 and 1998 respectively. For the last 14 years she has worked for the Home Office Centre for
Applied Science and Technology. She spent several years conducting applied research in the
recovery of physical evidence from crime scenes including fingermarks, footwear mark and blood.
Helen regularly inputs to training courses at the College of Policing and works with them to ensure
the Home Office work is incorporated into national training. For the past four years, she had taken
on the role as Editor of the new Fingermark Visualisation Manual, a world-leading publication within
its field.
7 Practitioner competence
Abigail Lagden College of Policing
Evidencing practitioner competence is a key requirement of achieving accreditation to both ISO
17025 and 17020 Quality Standards and also features strongly in the Forensic Science Regulator’s
Codes of Practice and Conduct. This workshop will summarise methods for evidencing competence
and will introduce the College of Policing’s Face-to-Face Competence Test for CSIs. This test is
available to police forces to provide an independent assessment of a practitioner’s competence in
the CSI role. Delegates will also have the opportunity to see how they measure up by completing a
small part of the test.
Abigail Lagden
Abigail is the CSI Delivery Manager for the College of Policing, managing a wide portfolio of forensic
learning programmes and training courses. Over the last two years, she has coordinated the
development of face to face competence tests for CSIs and Forensic Laboratory Officers. Abigail
began her policing career as a CSI and later a CSM with Merseyside Police, before moving to
Harperley Hall to share her knowledge, skills and experience as a Forensic Trainer. She has been
involved in training delivery and assessment since 2008.
8 Rapid DNA
John Rogan, Business Change Officer Home Office Science, Centre for Applied Science and
Technology
Rapid DNA, a recent development in DNA technology, is the automated extraction, amplification,
separation, detection and allele calling of DNA without human intervention, simply described as a
‘swab in-profile out’, in about 90 minutes.
This advancement has the potential to open up new applications of the DNA science base, as well as
challenge existing protocols and structures. The Rapid DNA Project has been commissioned by the
Home Office and its principle aim is to understand and develop processes and mechanisms to exploit
R-DNA technology, whilst maintaining public confidence in its use. This interactive session aims to
increase CSI understanding of potential Rapid DNA processes and allow the project to gather
information and an insight as to how Rapid DNA will affect the CSI.
John Rogan
John is the Project Manager for the Rapid DNA Project and a Business Change Officer with HO CAST.
His career in policing commenced in 1982 with Avon and Somerset Constabulary. He spent 23 years
as a police officer, mainly within CID, in later years, after training as a CSI, working in forensic
intelligence and footwear. He joined the NPIA in 2009 and transitioned to CAST in 2012. In that time
he has been involved in a number of National projects, including the development of the National
Footwear Reference Collection (NFRC) and Database (NFD). He worked on the Adapt project, a
forerunner to Rapid DNA.