Supporting the coordination, sharing and delivery of research across Ecology domains.

This endeavour will aim to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of policing, forensic science, technology and associated methods and techniques through collaborative Information sharing, broadening access to knowledge and partnerships across the criminal justice system.

Core themes identified across the research Groups;

  • Education of scientific practice and the value of ecological evidence

Key objectives:

  • Improve operational effectiveness through improved information sharing, cross-border and cross-organisational collaboration in research, linking the wider forensic community to research areas outside of the discipline.
  • Enable areas of specific research strength to work together.
  • Support and contribute to the FCN Research and Development Strategy.
  • Encourage and coordinate research salient to operational requirement.
  • Support project coordination and idea development in collaboration with FCN Quality validation requirements.
  •  Improving the transition from research concept to market and / or operational implementation
  • Opportunities to seek collaborative research funding bids.
  • Develop regional research advocates within forces for pathway into the Research Working Group.
  • Assure student and post graduate research is shared via the COP repository to support evidence-based policing and via open access repositories.
  •  Oversight and governance from the NPCC Science and Innovation Board.
  • Disseminate research via the FCN Newsletter (keeping the forensic communities updated), or annual events, webinars, symposiums etc.
  • Engagement with both national and international forensic specialists.
  • Support the development and engagement of the FCN Work Force Strategy.

Group Chair:  Adrienne Shaw

Adie has extensive experience working within crime scene investigation, predominantly in the role of Crime Scene Manager across a number of police forces. Adie has extensive experience of proactive forensics, operational forensic practice and early in her career she was also a Police Officer. Adrienne has a master’s degree from Staffordshire University associated with sequential powdering techniques.

Suggested areas for research

Key to this research group was building a network of practitioners and academics across the UK to further research in this arena. This group have identified a number of key research areas to focus upon.

  • Development of standard toolkit for Crime Scene practitioners to follow at the crime scene
  • Catalogue of UK capabilities for access and opportunities to collaborate or share.

Minutes & key documents

Minutes of these meetings can be located on the Knowledge Hub (Police Digital Service PDS) within the FCN Physical Science Research Working Group.

We want to hear from you

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