Forensic and Analytical Science

Introduction

This is a rapidly expanding area, in which analytical and biological techniques are being applied to projects in forensic science. Work is focused on  the forensic applications of whole genome amplification, including miPEP, crowded MDA and DOP-PCR, forensic RNA analysis in order to identify body fluids, determine stain ages and post-mortem intervals, and the evaluation of DNA recovery methods.  We are developing a Clothing Damage Intelligence Database, and working on analytical methods to augment current capabilities in clothing damage analysis.

Research active staff run their research programmes under the umbrella of the Institute of Materials, Medicines and Molecular Sciences, through which internal funding is allocated and overall policy agreed.  Extensive collaboration is in place with colleagues in the commercial wing of the Department, IPOS (Innovative Physical Organic Solution).