Projects in Leverhulme Research Centre for Forensic Science
Our research projects are undertaken by a team of principal investigators, research assistants, postdoctoral researchers, learning technologists, public engagement experts, PhD and MSc researchers.
All of our research has practitioner input and the specific project areas are influenced by the outputs of strategic conversations which encompass the views of the whole crime scene to court ecosystem in challenge focused discussions. All projects are aligned to the five LRCFS thematic research pillars (detection, recognition, comparison, interpretation/evaluation and communication) and some of our work spans more than one thematic pillar.
Active projects
![Two researchers looking at a computer screen](http://cdn-acquia.dundee.ac.uk/sites/default/files/styles/card/public/2022-04/6.jpg?itok=LXO-jH-Q&h=1c9491c7)
Research project
The purpose of this R-Shiny application is to make this information more accessible and to allow its user to export the reference lists based on keyword searches.
![A person looking at a mobile screen](http://cdn-acquia.dundee.ac.uk/sites/default/files/styles/card/public/2024-04/uod-LRCFS-02-23-519.jpg?itok=Ec2CX9aM&h=e5aec6c8)
Research project
We explore the requirements needed in the interaction of new scientific and digital technologies with legal frameworks, the legal system and the justice system.
![Scientist removes drugs from storage capsule](http://cdn-acquia.dundee.ac.uk/sites/default/files/styles/card/public/2022-06/Craig%20drugs%20SQUARE.jpg?itok=xTSFj95H)
Research project
We are creating new ways to detect illicit drugs, explosives and bodily fluids at crime scenes using cutting edge nanobiosensor, DNA aptamers and quantum dot chemistry.
![Close up of two gloved hands swabbing a small square copper plate.](http://cdn-acquia.dundee.ac.uk/sites/default/files/styles/card/public/2023-02/leverhume-flem-1022-422.jpg?itok=prPClGGN&h=4362216e)
Research project
We are creating curated ground truth (known source) data sets and applying machine learning algorithms to explore the interpretation of chemical profiles and feature comparison problems.
![A male scientist in a lab coat and gloves pipetting a solution into a MinION, a pocket-sized device used sequence DNA & rNA.](http://cdn-acquia.dundee.ac.uk/sites/default/files/styles/card/public/2023-02/leverhume-flem-1022-241.jpg?itok=ZxceyuPP&h=0cd817c1)
Research project
We are exploring the strengths and weaknesses of algorithms and software programs used to interpret complex DNA mixtures (samples that contain DNA from more than one person).
![A person wearing a VR headset](http://cdn-acquia.dundee.ac.uk/sites/default/files/styles/card/public/2024-04/uod-LRCFS-02-23-017.jpg?itok=lURf3YyC&h=9b3ccc9a)
Research project
We are developing new avenues of research, collaboration, education and training using Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR) and Mixed Reality (MR) tools.
![Over the shoulder shot of a scientist examining a laptop running the StepOne PCR Software used to analyse DNA.](http://cdn-acquia.dundee.ac.uk/sites/default/files/styles/card/public/2023-02/leverhume-flem-1022-396_0.jpg?itok=-3AvTP0m&h=4362216e)
Research project
We are exploring alternative methods of DNA analysis using oxford nanopore and other technologies.
![Side view of a woman’s boot held mid-air over an ink pad which is used to record footwear mark forensic evidence.](http://cdn-acquia.dundee.ac.uk/sites/default/files/styles/card/public/2023-02/leverhume-flem-1022-440.jpg?itok=22_i0q7D&h=4362216e)
Research project
We generate accessible data sets to aid forensic science research. These include chemical and biological data, physical evidence (such as ballistics and footwear) and biometric samples.
![Measurement Uncertainty Calculator (MUCalc)](/sites/default/files/styles/card/public/2022-03/mu2.png?h=50ade75b&itok=rOYySTVS)
Research project
We are exploring methods for the development of measurement uncertainty associated with the analysis of a wide range of forensic evidence types and how probability is used to understand the meaning of evidence given different alleged activities.
![A female scientist wearing a lab coat, safety glasses and gloves pipetting blood samples into a series of test tubes inside of a ventilated fume closet.](http://cdn-acquia.dundee.ac.uk/sites/default/files/styles/card/public/2023-02/leverhume-flem-1022-004.jpg?itok=oDFo0rzh&h=4362216e)
Research project
We identify and monitor the emergence of new psychoactive substances on illicit drug markets and investigate the risks of emerging drug threats involving these and more traditional drugs of abuse.
![Two forensic scientists in lab equipment smiling as they view a computer screen.](http://cdn-acquia.dundee.ac.uk/sites/default/files/styles/card/public/2023-02/leverhume-flem-1022-185.jpg?itok=wFZ8nrX9&h=4281b06d)
Research project
We are developing high quality training and online learning resources for students and forensic science professionals.
![feet walking on a blue sticky mat](http://cdn-acquia.dundee.ac.uk/sites/default/files/styles/card/public/2020-07/stickymat2%20spot.jpg?itok=YG5sM1UP)
Research project
We have a citizen science approach to developing activities that generate data on the background abundance of materials for use in forensic science research and interpretation.
![a person looking at materials using UV light](http://cdn-acquia.dundee.ac.uk/sites/default/files/styles/card/public/2020-07/persistance2_crop_project.jpg?itok=v6DEcxQS&h=15c9ad5d)
Research project
We are creating and testing methods to detect how materials are transferred from places to people, or from people to people and how long materials can last in the environment once they have transferred.