Thursday, 03 March 2014
Cineworld: The O2, London, SE10 0DX, UK
www.regonline.co.uk/crime2014
Our crime scene identification forum will comprise of expert speakers on different aspects of crime scene forensic examination.
This event has CPD accreditation and is part of the Forensic Forums 2014 Series – www.forensicforums2014.com
Meeting Chair: Dr Claire Gwinnett, Staffordshire University, UK
The deadline for abstract submissions for oral presentation is January 10th 2014
Abstracts for poster presentation only can be submitted up to two weeks before the event.
You can download the instructions for authors at www.euroscicon.com/AbstractsForOralAndPosterPresentation.pdf
Talk times include 5 – 10 minutes for questions
9:00 – 9:45 Registration
9:45 – 10:00 Introduction by the Chair: Dr Claire Gwinnett, Staffordshire University, UK
10:00 – 10:30 Talk to be confirmed
Dr Meez Islam, Reader in Physical Chemistry, School of Science and Engineering, Teesside University, UK
10:30 – 11:00 Talk title to be confirmed
11:00 – 11:30 Speakers’ photo then mid-morning break and poster exhibition and trade show
11:30 – 12:00 Crime linkage: Identifying crime series in the absence of physical forensic evidence
Dr. Jessica Woodhams, Senior Lecturer in Forensic Psychology
Crime linkage is a psychological practice used by police forces to identify crime series in the absence of physical forensic evidence. It assumes that criminals commit crimes in a consistent and distinctive manner. As well as being used to inform police investigations, it is presented in legal proceedings in some countries. Bearing in mind its uses, it is crucial that it receive empirical scrutiny. I will present a summary of the research conducted thus far as well as outline the work of a new international network for researchers and practitioners of crime linkage, the C-LINK (Crime Linkage International NetworK).
12:00 – 12:30 Oral Presentations
12:30 – 13:30 Lunch, poster exhibition and trade show
13:30 – 14:30 Discussion session
This discussion session is an informal question and answer session. This is an ideal opportunity to get advice and opinion
from experts in this area. This session is not for questions about specific talks, which can be asked after the speakers session, but for discussing either general topics or specific issues.
There are three ways you can ask questions:
1. Before the session you can submit your question to Euroscicon staff at the registration desk,
2. Before and during the session you can submit a question or comments, by email, which will be provided on the day of the
event
3. During the session you can put your hand up and join in
14: 30 – 15:00 Forensic Podiatry
Professor Wesley Vernon OBE, Head of Podiatry Services and Research Lead, Sheffield PCT Jordanthorpe Health Centre
Forensic Podiatry has been considered for over 90 years and practiced for the past 40 years. It is however only relatively recently that the specialty has become formalised with a supportive evidence based, standards and other governance arrangements. The lecture will provide a brief overview of forensic podiatry including it’s history, role and practice.
15:00 – 15:30 Afternoon Tea, last poster session and trade show
15:30 – 16:00 Talk to be confirmed
16:00 – 16:30 Forensic Gait Analysis – can we walk the walk?
Professor Ivan Birch, Consultant Expert Witness, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, UK
Forensic gait analysis is increasingly being used during criminal investigations, and as a source of evidence for use at trial. Despite substantial progress in the development of a research evidence base during the last two years, there remain a number of challenges to be overcome in terms of the development of best practice in this field of work. This presentation will consider the current state of the evidence base underpinning forensic gait analysis, strategies by which best practice might be developed, the challenges that practitioners commonly face, and the potential pitfalls of trying to analyse gait from CCTV footage.
16:30 – 17:00 Chairman’s Summing Up and Close of Meeting
About the Speakers
Claire Gwinnett is a senior lecturer and researcher in forensic science; specifically trace evidence, at Staffordshire University. Her areas of expertise include hair, fibres and glass evidence, proficiency testing and forensic database production, particularly trace evidence but also other evidence types, for example, she is currently working on a collaborative project with Sheffield Teaching Hospitals with the Forensic Podiatry Unit in the development of a bare footprint database. Dr Gwinnett has advised in the development of a new system for competency testing with the Forensic Science Society and is currently working with Staffordshire Police and The Netherlands Forensic Institute in the testing of a new method, developed and patented at Staffordshire University, which will enhance forensic fibres work. Dr Gwinnett has also been a consultant and developer for the generation of forensic science education and training for the University of Mauritius and is currently the external examiner for the forensic science programme at the University of Technology in Jamaica.
Dr. Jessica Woodhams, is a forensic psychologist who works at the University of Birmingham, UK. She is an expert in the area of crime linkage and serial interpersonal crime. She has published widely on the subject writing numerous articles and book chapters. She is currently co-editing the first book on the topic. She has been consulted as an expert witness on crime linkage and behavioural similarity. She is the founder of the Crime Linkage International NetworK.
Professor Wesley Vernon OBE is Head of Podiatry Services and Research Lead for Sheffield Community Services & Visiting Professor at Huddersfield and Staffordshire Universities. He is a Fellow of the Forensic Science Society and a Distinguished Member of the International Association for Identification where he Chairs the forensic podiatry sub-committee. He chairs the Healthy Footwear Guide scheme and is Vice Chair of the Society of Shoefitters. In 2010, he initiated a new competency testing scheme for independent forensic practitioners through the FSSoc. In 2009, he was awarded an OBE for services to medicine and health care.
Ivan Birch is Consultant Expert Witness in forensic gait analysis with Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. Ivan graduated in 1978 with a BSc Joint Honours in Science from the University of Salford, gained an MSc in Human Biology from the University of Loughborough in 1980, and was awarded a PhD in Biomechanics by the University of Brighton in 2007. He has extensive experience of teaching biomechanics, anatomy, physiology and research methods, and is a Professional Member of the Forensic Science Society and Emeritus Professor of Human Sciences. He has more than 30 years’ experience of gait analysis.
Post expires at 8:31am on Monday March 3rd, 2014