Leverhulme Research Centre for Forensic Science

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The Leverhulme Research Centre for Forensic Science (LRCFS) is funded by the Leverhulme Trust

Logo of the Leverhulme Trust

We are an interdisciplinary research team, the largest in the UK, dedicated to the improvement of the robustness and quality of the science underpinning evidence presented within the criminal and civil courts

Learn about the Leverhulme Research Centre for Forensic Science
“Adapt. Adjust. Revise. It's the secret of life.”

Alan Alda, speaking at the University of Dundee

Our research pillars

Our research links across five thematic pillars asking bold questions about the robustness of the science used in the investigation of crime scenes, laboratory analysis and the presentation of scientific evidence within the courts.

Detection

How can we detect physical, chemical, and biological materials that may be relevant to investigations?

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Recognition

How do we characterise materials that are encountered in investigations so that we created scientifically robust, valid, and reliable data?

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Comparison

How do we harness the power of AI and data science to compare scientific findings and provide objective comparative opinions?

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Interpretation / evaluation

How do we develop evaluative opinions of the weight of scientific evidence in different case circumstances and activity-based scenarios?

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Communication research pillar

How can we communicate scientific findings within a case context to ensure that they are transparent and understood by a wide variety of audiences?

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Strategic Conversations

A cartoon image of the strategical Conversation

A strategic conversation is a bringing together of people with different expertise and opinions including forensic scientists, people within the judiciary and the public to collectively change a mindset and to work together to profoundly bring about positive change.

Strategic Conversations

Crime Scene Research Facility

In 2020 we took control of our new crime scene research facility in the heart of the University Campus enabling our research to move from the laboratory into a ‘real world' test facility. We will be working with practitioners, innovators and industry to use this facility to test emergent technologies and develop research as well as for practitioner training and competency testing.

JustTech, the world’s first institute for innovation in forensic science

Key figures in the multi-million pound Tay Cities Deal bid visited the University of Dundee’s Leverhulme Research Centre for Forensic Science to find out more about the proposed JustTech project.

In 2019 we were awarded £15M to develop the World’s first Institute for Innovation in Forensic Science as part of the Tay Cities Deal.

This funding comes from both the UK and Scottish Governments and strives to harness new innovations and developments in digital and other technologies.

LRCFS welcomes investment in JustTech
Contact information

Address

Leverhulme Research Centre for Forensic Science

Ewing Building
1st Floor
Small’s Lane
University of Dundee, DD1 4HN

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