Final Report Summary - INTREPID FORENSICS (Interdisciplinary Training and Research Programme for Innovative Doctorates in Forensic Science)
The ‘Innovative Training and Research Programme for Innovative Doctorates’ in Forensic Science (INTREPID Forensics) provided ten early stage researchers (ESR) with the opportunity to carry out PhD research projects focusing on contemporary challenges in the forensic sciences. Each project was supervised by leading academic researchers from across a variety of disciplines, and was designed to overcome traditional boundaries between the physical and social sciences. Research secondments at associate partner organisations provided the ESRs with access to expertise and technology designed to complement those available at the host institution. In addition, associate partners from the forensic industry and police agencies ensured that the research and training programme were contemporary and designed to address the needs of forensic practitioners in a European context.
The graduates of the INTREPID Forensics programme are the first European cohort of specially trained doctoral candidates to complete a training programme designed collaboratively by respective European Centres of Excellence and key forensic stakeholders. These researchers represent the first step in the next generation of forensic science researchers and practitioners, and the technologies that they have researched and developed during their doctoral studies are the product of this uniquely collaborative and interdisciplinary training programme in the forensic sciences.
The INTREPID Forensics programme delivered a bespoke training programme supported by ten innovative, multidisciplinary research projects designed to address forensic science issues relevant within a European context, and in parallel with designated European Network of Forensic Science Institutes (ENFSI) Working Groups. These areas included DNA and fingerprint recovery and identification techniques, explosive devices, and the detection of alcohol and illicit drugs.
The four main forensic subject areas covered by these projects were all grounded in well-established scientific disciplines, therefore the purpose of the projects in the INTREPID Forensics programme was to extend these disciplines to new and emerging forensic contexts which are of European relevance. This programme provided a multidisciplinary platform for researchers to contribute research and innovation in reliable forensic science disciplines, which will have a measurable impact in European forensic science practice and the detection of crime.
The delivered training programme equipped the researchers with the cross sector ability to rise to the challenges that crime poses to European society and the crucial role that forensic science plays in providing evidence-based, scientific, unbiased information to assist police in detecting crime and apprehending offenders. The training ensured that the researchers appreciate and understand the legal context of forensic science research, innovation, and practice throughout Europe through a multidisciplinary training programme with input from forensic industry partners. The recruited researchers completed the following training modules during the programme:
Forensic Science Theory and Practice (Part 1 & 2)
Ethics in Forensic Science Practice
Media Training
Criminal Law and Forensic Science
The Role of the Expert Witness
Patenting Innovation
Working with Industry
This training and research approach advanced the current state of knowledge in the areas of human and substance identification by providing cutting edge research and innovation through projects conducted in collaboration with international academic institutions, police agencies and industry partners. This enabled the researchers recruited from around the world to conduct interdisciplinary research based at a world class university, which benefits the forensic sector globally through dissemination and outreach activities and the future career contributions of the researchers.
The research projects carried out by the recruited researchers have produced new and reliable innovative methods for successfully recovering and identifying DNA and fingerprint samples from surfaces which have been subjected to extreme environmental conditions, whilst improving the ability of expert examiners to search and compare fingerprint patterns in forensic contexts, by exploring new computerised search algorithms and exploring the cognitive process of fingerprint comparisons. They have also pioneered the use of 3D technology for the identification, comparison, and classification of human remains as well as exploring technology and legislation to enable the novel and rapid detection and identification of illicit drugs and alcohol, including newly emerging (and illegal) novel psychoactive substances.
The results produced by these projects contribute to the fundamental academic literature as well as having impact in the forensic sector through working with industry to commercialise emerging intellectual property, collaboration with police agencies and the practitioners to improve the quality and reliability of forensic examinations, and informing policy makers and the legal community on the implementation of legislation. Public engagement has also been a key activity throughout the INTREPID Forensics programme, with researchers making regular contributions to blogs via the project website (www.intrepid-forensics.eu) maintaining active social media networks, and participating in public events to showcase their research to a general audience.
The programme culminated in the INTREPID Forensics: Innovation Through Collaboration conference, hosted at the University of Leicester in March 2018. This event was designed to celebrate the achievements of the programme, showcase the research results, and encourage future collaboration between academics, police, forensic practitioners, and industry. The conference programme included a combination of traditional research talks and interactive workshops which explored the barriers and incentives to effective cross-sector collaboration in forensic sciences as well as identifying the future challenges facing forensics. The event attracted very positive feedback, and provided a valuable opportunity to reflect on the achievements of the INTREPID Forensics programme as well as encouraging future collaboration as a legacy for the programme.
The graduates of the INTREPID Forensics programme are the first European cohort of specially trained doctoral candidates to complete a training programme designed collaboratively by respective European Centres of Excellence and key forensic stakeholders. These researchers represent the first step in the next generation of forensic science researchers and practitioners, and the technologies that they have researched and developed during their doctoral studies are the product of this uniquely collaborative and interdisciplinary training programme in the forensic sciences.
The INTREPID Forensics programme delivered a bespoke training programme supported by ten innovative, multidisciplinary research projects designed to address forensic science issues relevant within a European context, and in parallel with designated European Network of Forensic Science Institutes (ENFSI) Working Groups. These areas included DNA and fingerprint recovery and identification techniques, explosive devices, and the detection of alcohol and illicit drugs.
The four main forensic subject areas covered by these projects were all grounded in well-established scientific disciplines, therefore the purpose of the projects in the INTREPID Forensics programme was to extend these disciplines to new and emerging forensic contexts which are of European relevance. This programme provided a multidisciplinary platform for researchers to contribute research and innovation in reliable forensic science disciplines, which will have a measurable impact in European forensic science practice and the detection of crime.
The delivered training programme equipped the researchers with the cross sector ability to rise to the challenges that crime poses to European society and the crucial role that forensic science plays in providing evidence-based, scientific, unbiased information to assist police in detecting crime and apprehending offenders. The training ensured that the researchers appreciate and understand the legal context of forensic science research, innovation, and practice throughout Europe through a multidisciplinary training programme with input from forensic industry partners. The recruited researchers completed the following training modules during the programme:
Forensic Science Theory and Practice (Part 1 & 2)
Ethics in Forensic Science Practice
Media Training
Criminal Law and Forensic Science
The Role of the Expert Witness
Patenting Innovation
Working with Industry
This training and research approach advanced the current state of knowledge in the areas of human and substance identification by providing cutting edge research and innovation through projects conducted in collaboration with international academic institutions, police agencies and industry partners. This enabled the researchers recruited from around the world to conduct interdisciplinary research based at a world class university, which benefits the forensic sector globally through dissemination and outreach activities and the future career contributions of the researchers.
The research projects carried out by the recruited researchers have produced new and reliable innovative methods for successfully recovering and identifying DNA and fingerprint samples from surfaces which have been subjected to extreme environmental conditions, whilst improving the ability of expert examiners to search and compare fingerprint patterns in forensic contexts, by exploring new computerised search algorithms and exploring the cognitive process of fingerprint comparisons. They have also pioneered the use of 3D technology for the identification, comparison, and classification of human remains as well as exploring technology and legislation to enable the novel and rapid detection and identification of illicit drugs and alcohol, including newly emerging (and illegal) novel psychoactive substances.
The results produced by these projects contribute to the fundamental academic literature as well as having impact in the forensic sector through working with industry to commercialise emerging intellectual property, collaboration with police agencies and the practitioners to improve the quality and reliability of forensic examinations, and informing policy makers and the legal community on the implementation of legislation. Public engagement has also been a key activity throughout the INTREPID Forensics programme, with researchers making regular contributions to blogs via the project website (www.intrepid-forensics.eu) maintaining active social media networks, and participating in public events to showcase their research to a general audience.
The programme culminated in the INTREPID Forensics: Innovation Through Collaboration conference, hosted at the University of Leicester in March 2018. This event was designed to celebrate the achievements of the programme, showcase the research results, and encourage future collaboration between academics, police, forensic practitioners, and industry. The conference programme included a combination of traditional research talks and interactive workshops which explored the barriers and incentives to effective cross-sector collaboration in forensic sciences as well as identifying the future challenges facing forensics. The event attracted very positive feedback, and provided a valuable opportunity to reflect on the achievements of the INTREPID Forensics programme as well as encouraging future collaboration as a legacy for the programme.