Experience

Scottish Police Authority

• United Kingdom
• Law Enforcement
• 100 - 200 Employee

• Senior Forensic Analyst

  • Aug 2023 - Present

• Forensic Examiner

  • Oct 2019 - Aug 2023

  Glasgow, United Kingdom



Metropolitan Police

• United Kingdom
• Law Enforcement
• 700 & Above Employee

• Forensic Examiner

  • May 2012 - Sep 2019

  London, United Kingdom MAIN DUTIES: to perform forensic examinations of crime scene exhibits, including firearms, for trace evidence recovery (cellular/hairs/fibres), biological identifications (blood/saliva/semen) and chemical enhancement of fingerprints (CNA/BY40/DFO/Ninhydrin); statement/report fact checking; SOP auditing; to undertake validation projects and training delivery. TRAINING DELIVERY (2015 - 2018): under the direction of a training manager, jointly responsible with others, for delivering a… Show more MAIN DUTIES: to perform forensic examinations of crime scene exhibits, including firearms, for trace evidence recovery (cellular/hairs/fibres), biological identifications (blood/saliva/semen) and chemical enhancement of fingerprints (CNA/BY40/DFO/Ninhydrin); statement/report fact checking; SOP auditing; to undertake validation projects and training delivery. TRAINING DELIVERY (2015 - 2018): under the direction of a training manager, jointly responsible with others, for delivering a 3-month full time training programme to 40 trainee examiners. Delivered through a combination of classroom presentations and laboratory based practical demonstrations/exercises, supported by continuous verbal and written feedback. Topics included: good laboratory practice, cellular, hair and fibre recovery, damage awareness, body fluid examinations, biological sampling, extraction and microscopic slide staining, note taking and basic photography, receipt and continuity, and casefile management. LABORATORY CHAMPION (2013/14): general housekeeping of a DNA clean laboratory ensuring full functionality and accurate usage recording of laboratory/equipment in accordance with a UKAS ISO 17025 Accredited Laboratory Quality Management System; sufficiently stocked; liaising with Quality and Laboratory Technician personnel on maintenance, equipment/consumables and re-stocking issues; involved with the decommissioning and recommissioning of DNA clean laboratories during a major £70 million refurbishment. MPS Driver - Level 4. Show less



University of Strathclyde

• United Kingdom
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• PhD Research Scientist

  • Jan 2009 - Dec 2012

  Glasgow, United Kingdom PROJECT TITLE: Multivariate Profiling of Gel Inks: A Novel Tool for the Discrimination of Within and Between Brand Variation (EPSRC/Industrial Funded) PROJECT OBJECTIVE: to develop reliable analytical methodologies for the analysis of gel pen inks to be used in routine forensic casework based on an investigation of thin layer chromatography (TLC), video spectral comparison/hyperspectral imaging (using the Foster & Freeman VSC 6000/HS), microspectrophotometry (Vis-MSP), fourier transform… Show more PROJECT TITLE: Multivariate Profiling of Gel Inks: A Novel Tool for the Discrimination of Within and Between Brand Variation (EPSRC/Industrial Funded) PROJECT OBJECTIVE: to develop reliable analytical methodologies for the analysis of gel pen inks to be used in routine forensic casework based on an investigation of thin layer chromatography (TLC), video spectral comparison/hyperspectral imaging (using the Foster & Freeman VSC 6000/HS), microspectrophotometry (Vis-MSP), fourier transform infrared spectroscopy – attenuated total reflectance (FTIR-ATR), and Raman spectroscopy, combined with the application of chemometrics to improve discrimination (principal component analysis (PCA), hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) and artificial neural networks (ANN) in the form of self-organising feature maps (SOFM)).

• Student Mentor

  • Sep 2009 - May 2012

  Glasgow, United Kingdom Mentoring undergraduate students with Asperger Syndrome on a weekly one to one basis assisting them with finding solutions to a range of challenges encountered throughout their studies; providing non-medical support; study support; timetabling; liaising with Disability Services and Departmental Staff; providing an introduction to university life and guiding them to services and facilities of interest.

• Forensic & Analytical Laboratory Demonstrator

  • Sep 2010 - Apr 2011

  Glasgow, United Kingdom Assisting 2nd and 3rd year undergraduate students with laboratory practicals in forensic and analytical science modules, including Glass Refractive Index Measurement (GRIM), fibre identification by Polarising Light Microscopy (PLM), dye analysis by TLC, shoe mark comparison using Electrostatic Lifting Apparatus (ESLA) and revealing indented writing impressions using Electrostatic Detection Apparatus (ESDA).



LGC Forensics (formerly Forensic Alliance Ltd.)

• Case Reporting Forensic Science Practitioner

  • Jan 2005 - Mar 2008

  Culham, Oxon & Risley, Cheshire MAIN DUTIES: to devise efficient and effective examination strategies on a case by case basis to maximise potential forensic opportunity; to examine items to recover textile fibres and other trace evidence where appropriate; to identify/compare textile fibres by microscopy (Low Power Microscopy (LPM), Polarising Light Microscopy (PLM) and Comparison/Fluorescence Microscopy); to interpret analytical data generated by FTIR and MSP; to provide, fact check and/or peer review written reports/witness… Show more MAIN DUTIES: to devise efficient and effective examination strategies on a case by case basis to maximise potential forensic opportunity; to examine items to recover textile fibres and other trace evidence where appropriate; to identify/compare textile fibres by microscopy (Low Power Microscopy (LPM), Polarising Light Microscopy (PLM) and Comparison/Fluorescence Microscopy); to interpret analytical data generated by FTIR and MSP; to provide, fact check and/or peer review written reports/witness statements; to provide expert testimony in court when required; to contribute to research & development; to contribute to and maintain UKAS ISO 17025 accredited quality procedures; to mentor/train less experienced staff; to supervise a postgraduate (MSc) student research project; to give internal/external presentations. TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT: successful completion of the Forensic Science Practitioner (Reporter) Development Programme incorporating basic training in Trace Evidence, Identification and Recovery of Glass, Damage, Hair and Fibre Awareness and Blood; specialist training in Fibre Identification and Comparison (including attendance at the Royal Society of Microscopy Summer School 2005), Analytical Techniques Used by Forensic Fibre Specialists (including Perkin Elmer Interpretation of FTIR Spectra external training course) and Fibre Interpretation; general training in Dealing with the Customer, Estimating and Invoicing, Statement Writing and Court Room Skills for the Expert Witness. Show less



The Adecco Group

• Switzerland
• Human Resources Services
• 700 & Above Employee

• Agency Data Entry Clerk (Lloyds Bank Registrars)

  • Oct 2004 - Dec 2004

  Worthing, West Sussex



Debenhams

• United Kingdom
• Retail
• 700 & Above Employee

• Merchandise Assistant - Christmas Temp

  • Nov 2003 - Dec 2003

  Glasgow, United Kingdom



The Bull Inn

• Barman/Waiter

  • Sep 2002 - Sep 2003

  Worthing, West Sussex



Teesside University

• United Kingdom
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Student Mentor

  • Sep 2001 - Jul 2002

  Middlesbrough



Lyme Bay Holiday Village

• Barman (Summer Season Temp)

  • Jun 2001 - Aug 2001

  Seaton, Devon



Middlesbrough Education Action Zone

• Teacher Associate

  • Sep 2000 - May 2001

  Middlesbrough, Cleveland



Camp America

• United Kingdom
• Staffing and Recruiting
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Camp Power Kitchen Assistant

  • Jun 2000 - Sep 2000

  New York State, USA



Teesside University

• United Kingdom
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Student Ambassador

  • Oct 1999 - May 2000

  Middlesbrough, Cleveland



Debenhams

• United Kingdom
• Retail
• 700 & Above Employee

• Loss Prevention Advisor

  • Jul 1996 - Sep 1999

  Worthing, West Sussex

• Sales Advisor

  • Jun 1995 - Jul 1996

  Worthing, West Sussex