Sarah Hall

Dr. Sarah Hall is an Associate Professor in Analytical Forensic Chemistry at De Montfort University, within the Leicester School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences. She is a key member of the Leicester Institute for Pharmaceutical & Health Innovations (LIPHI), where her work bridges forensic science, public health, and fire safety. With over 25 years of academic and industrial experience, she has become a leading expert in the fire behavior of textiles contaminated with emollients, significantly influencing national safety policies.

• PhD in Chemistry, De Montfort University
• BSc (Hons) Chemistry and Environmental Sciences

Her research focuses on the flammability of emollient-contaminated fabrics, public awareness of associated fire risks, and the environmental detection of pharmaceuticals in wildlife using non-invasive methods. She also works on forensic analysis of fire debris and detection of drugs in water supplies. Her work is highly applied, with strong emphasis on knowledge exchange and real-world impact.

The 15 most recent publications reflect a consistent theme: public safety through forensic science. They span fire risk assessment of personal care products, environmental contamination, drug detection, and interdisciplinary approaches to health and safety. Keywords include forensic chemistry, environmental monitoring, fire science, and public health, with subfields such as emollient flammability, microplastics, and analytical method development.

Her scientific contributions have been recognized with several prestigious awards:

• Pharmacy PrescQipp National Patient Safety Award 2020 (Gold Winner)
• Excellence in Fire and Emergency Awards 2019 – Collaboration of the Year
• Student 'Made a Difference' Award 2017
• Shortlisted, Times Higher Education Research Project of the Year 2021

Dr. Hall actively supervises multiple PhD students and has led impactful grants, particularly the REF 2021 Impact Case Study on emollient fire risks. She collaborates with NHS trusts, Fire and Rescue Services, MHRA, and international institutions. Her consultancy includes flammability testing and chemical analysis of environmental samples. She regularly delivers training and webinars for fire investigators and healthcare professionals, reinforcing her role as a leader in translational forensic research.

She is a member of the Royal Society of Chemistry, UK Association of Fire Investigators, Society of Wildlife Forensic Science, and Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. Her current projects include investigating self-oxidation of personal care products on fabrics and raising awareness of emollient fire hazards in partnership with national agencies.