Find Academic Supervisors

• Forensic Chemistry
• Latent Fingermark Enhancement
• Footwear Impression Analysis
• +7 more

Dr. Kevin Farrugia is an Associate Professor in Forensic Chemistry at De Montfort University, affiliated with the Leicester School of Pharmacy within the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences. He teaches forensic chemistry courses and supervises postgraduate research students. B.Sc. (Hons) in Chemistry & Physics, University of Malta M.Sc. in Forensic Science, University of Strathclyde Ph.D. in Forensic Science, University of Strathclyde Pg. Cert. in Higher Education, Abertay University His research focuses on the enhancement of latent fingermarks and footwear impressions, with a strong emphasis on alternative and greener solvents, vacuum-based development methods, and integrated multi-evidence approaches. He actively investigates techniques such as vacuum metal deposition, UV imaging, and chemical enhancement on challenging substrates like thermal paper, leather, and biodegradable bags. His recent publications demonstrate a consistent trend in advancing latent mark detection through pseudo-operational trials and method optimization, particularly in the areas of cyanoacrylate fuming, fluorescent techniques, and solvent-free processes. His work bridges laboratory research with real-world forensic applicability. Scientific Awards and Recognitions: DMU Teacher Fellow Professional Memberships and Service: Chartered Chemist (CChem), Royal Society of Chemistry Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA) Member, Editorial Board, Journal of Forensic Identification Reviewer for Analytical Chemistry, Science & Justice, Forensic Science International, and others Member of the International Association of Identification, Fingerprint Society, IFRG, and AAFS Standards Board Kevin Farrugia supervises current research students including Leisa Nichols-Drew, Joel Able, and Sophie Taylor, and has secured both internal and externally funded research projects. He is actively involved in professional development, regularly presenting at international forensic conferences and contributing to benchmarking standards in forensic education. He is a key figure in advancing practical and sustainable forensic chemistry techniques with real operational impact.

• Forensic Science
• Fingerprint Analysis
• DNA Transfer
• +4 more

Katharina Draxel serves as an Education Research Officer in Forensic Science at Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences (HvA), where she conducts applied research and contributes to educational initiatives. She is a key member of the 'Geen Spoor te Verliezen' (No Trace Left Behind) forensic research consortium, collaborating with Dutch police and forensic laboratories to address practical challenges in evidence collection and analysis. Her research focuses on critical gaps in trace evidence dynamics, particularly the secondary transfer of latent fingermarks via adhesive materials and relocation of DNA during evidence handling . This work examines how biological traces migrate between substrates during packaging, transport, and storage—addressing a persistent problem in burglary investigations where evidence integrity is compromised. Her methodology combines controlled laboratory experiments with real-world crime scene data to develop evidence-based protocols. Analysis of her 8 publications (2023-2025) reveals a cohesive research trajectory centered on optimizing forensic evidence collection . Key themes include quantifying transfer rates on common materials (duct tape, packaging), establishing reliable sampling locations for burglary scenes, and preventing contamination during evidence processing. This applied focus directly supports Dutch forensic practitioners through actionable guidelines rather than theoretical frameworks. Dr. Draxel actively supervises student theses on evidence-handling topics and maintains strong industry connections through 35 documented activities (2023-2024), including conference presentations and consortium leadership. Her public engagement—evidenced by 22 media contributions—demonstrates commitment to translating complex forensic science for broader audiences, exemplified by Lowlands festival collaborations where 'scientific break-ins' educate the public on trace evidence principles.

• Fingermark Detection
• Nanoparticle Applications
• Forensic Chemistry
• +2 more

Timothy Lee is a Lecturer in Forensic Science at the University of Derby's College of Science and Engineering. His research develops novel fingermark detection methods using nanotechnology, particularly functionalized silicon oxide nanoparticles as alternatives to traditional techniques like cyanoacrylate fuming. Key research areas: Nanoparticle synthesis for forensic applications Optimization of evidence visualization techniques Comparative analysis of detection methodologies Surface-substrate interaction studies Recent publications establish nanoparticle-based detection as a viable alternative to conventional methods, with improved sensitivity and substrate compatibility. His work advances trace evidence recovery in challenging forensic scenarios.

Laura ColeView profile

Professor

• Bioanalytical Chemistry
• Mass Spectrometry Imaging (MSI)
• Ocular Cancer Research
• +7 more

Dr. Laura Cole is the Associate Head of the School of Biosciences and Chemistry at Sheffield Hallam University, with affiliations to the Biomolecular Sciences Research Centre and Health Research Institute. Her expertise lies in multimodal mass spectrometry imaging (MSI), particularly in ocular cancer and age-related diseases. She leads a research group pioneering techniques like MALDI-MSI, DESI-MSI, and LA-ICP-MSI to study proteins, lipids, and metals in biological samples. Her research focuses on biomarker discovery, anticancer drug validation (e.g., Fosbretabulin), and tumor microenvironment analysis. Teaching spans undergraduate courses in Biomedical Science, Biochemistry, and postgraduate programs in Pharmacology. She has supervised multiple doctoral students and collaborated with institutions like AstraZeneca and Waters Corporation. Publications highlight forensic applications of MSI (e.g., drug detection in fingerprints) and clinical advancements in mesothelioma and breast cancer diagnostics. Her work bridges analytical chemistry with translational medicine, emphasizing multimodal imaging for disease understanding.

• Forensic Science
• Forensic Psychology
• Addiction Recovery
• +6 more

Terry Devine is a Lecturer in Forensic Science at the School of Applied Sciences, University of the West of England . He specializes in Forensic Psychology , Crime Scene Investigation , and non-invasive detection of prostate and bladder cancer from urine volatiles , bridging forensic science and biomedical research. Qualifications: BSc in Forensic Science, MSc in Advanced Forensic Analysis, PhD in progress Collaborations: Works with West Mercia Police on forensic photography of fingermarks Terry also serves as an addiction recovery coach, integrating his expertise in Addiction Recovery with forensic applications. His teaching areas include Fingermark Development , Footwear Marks , Forensic Microscopy , and Crime Scene Investigation .

Stephen BleayView profile

Senior Lecturer

• Forensic Science
• Materials Science
• Trace Evidence Analysis
• +2 more

Dr. Stephen Bleay is a Senior Lecturer at the School of Human Sciences, London South Bank University, with over 25 years of experience in forensic and materials science research. Previously serving as a Senior Technical Specialist at the Home Office Centre for Applied Science & Technology and Principal Scientist at QinetiQ, he brings extensive expertise in fingerprint analysis and trace evidence recovery. PhD and BSc (First Class) in Materials Science from University of Bath Fellow of the Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences Member of the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining His research focuses on environmental interactions with trace evidence, particularly examining how physical/chemical properties change under extreme conditions to improve forensic recovery methods. He has developed advanced imaging systems for fingerprint capture and authored the internationally recognized Fingerprint Development Techniques – Theory and Application textbook (2018). Recent publications highlight innovations in multi-modal mass spectrometry for drug detection in fingerprints and comparative studies of light sources for evidence retrieval. His work contributes to Sustainable Development Goal 4 (Quality Education) through forensic science training and methodology development. Scientific Awards & Memberships: Fellow of the Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences Member of the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining Co-author of Home Office Fingermark Visualisation Manual As a Forensic Advisor to DSTL and Technical Assessor for UKAS, he bridges academic research with real-world forensic laboratory standards. His teaching portfolio includes Introduction to Forensic Science, Crime Scene Processing, and Advanced Research Methods.

• Forensic Chemistry
• Illicit Drug Analysis
• Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry
• +4 more

Professor Sarah Cresswell is an Associate Professor in Forensic Chemistry at Griffith University’s School of Environment and Science, leading the Chemistry and Forensic Science department since 2022. Previously, she served as Deputy Dean (Learning and Teaching) for Griffith Sciences (2020–2022). Her research focuses on illicit drug analysis, forensic chemistry techniques, and innovative education strategies. She holds a PhD from the University of Greenwich and certifications in higher education from Griffith University. Her research explores clandestine drug synthesis pathways, isotope ratio mass spectrometry for forensic comparisons, and contaminants in ecotoxicology. She collaborates with agencies like Forensic Science Queensland and private international firms. Teaching responsibilities include core chemistry courses and forensic science programs’ capstone courses. Notable achievements include the Australian Award for University Teaching (2024), Griffith Excellence in Teaching Awards (2017), and HEA Senior Fellowship (2018). She actively contributes to professional societies, including the Royal Australian Chemical Institute and the Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences. Her funded projects include STEM-WISE (enhancing graduate employability) and alumni engagement initiatives. Research outputs span forensic methodologies, education innovation, and drug intelligence, with over 78 peer-reviewed articles. She supervises multiple doctoral students in areas like drug synthesis, DNA transfer dynamics, and forensic material analysis.

Sarah FieldhouseView profile

Associate Professor

• Forensic Science
• Fingerprint Analysis
• Latent Fingermark Recovery
• +3 more

Dr Sarah Fieldhouse is an Associate Professor at Staffordshire University , affiliated with the College of Health, Education, Policing and Sciences within the Department of Criminal Justice and Forensic Science . Her expertise spans forensic fingerprint analysis, biological evidence detection, and crime scene documentation technologies. PhD in Forensic Science (Staffordshire University) BSc (Hons) in Criminology and Forensic Science (Staffordshire University) Postgraduate Certificate in Higher and Professional Education Fellow of the Higher Education Academy Research focuses on fingerprint science , including: Proficiency testing for fingermark evaluators Dual recovery of DNA and fingermarks 360° laser photography for biological fluid detection Portable cyanoacrylate fuming systems Friction ridge skin development Forensic evidence interpretation Her work has led to collaborations with the UK Home Office, Staffordshire Police, SpheronVR, and Coppertree Forensics. She serves as Associate Editor of Science and Justice , the journal of the Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences. Key projects include: Heritage Action Zone (Historic England) - pottery kiln documentation Transforming Forensics Digital project (Home Office funding, 2019) Aluminium powder and portable fuming system validation 360° camera ALS integration for fluid detection

Max MassiView profile

Professor

• Coordination Chemistry
• Photophysics
• Luminescent Materials
• +5 more

Professor Max Massi is a distinguished academic at Curtin University, where he serves as a Professor in the Department of Chemistry within the School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering. His research focuses on transition metal and lanthanoid coordination chemistry, with particular emphasis on photophysical properties and applications of luminescent compounds in materials and life sciences. Professor Massi leads an active research group that bridges fundamental chemistry with practical applications in biomedical imaging and materials development. Professor Massi's educational background includes: 2001: Laurea (equivalent to M.Sc.) in Industrial Chemistry, University of Bologna 2005: Ph.D. in Chemistry, University of Bologna His research program centers on developing novel luminescent compounds with applications spanning materials science and biomedical imaging. Professor Massi's group investigates transition metal and lanthanoid coordination chemistry, focusing on the photophysical and photochemical properties of these complexes. A significant portion of his work involves creating molecular probes for bioimaging applications, particularly for lipid visualization and cellular processes. His research bridges fundamental chemistry with practical applications in medical diagnostics and materials development, with strong emphasis on iridium, rhenium, and lanthanoid complexes. Analysis of Professor Massi's recent publications reveals a strong focus on $$\text{Ir(III)}$$ and $$\text{Re(I)}$$ complexes, lanthanoid-based materials, and their applications in bioimaging, OLED technology, and medical diagnostics. His work demonstrates interdisciplinary collaboration across chemistry, materials science, and biomedical research, with particular emphasis on the photophysical properties and practical applications of luminescent compounds. The research spans from fundamental coordination chemistry to applied medical imaging and materials science. Professor Massi's scientific achievements have been recognized through prestigious fellowships and memberships: ARC Future Fellowship (2013-2017) Advanced Spectroscopy in Chemistry Visiting Scholar Fellowship (2013) ARC Postdoctoral Research Fellowship (2009-2012) Member of the Royal Australian Chemical Institute (RACI) Member of the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) Professor Massi has successfully mentored numerous students and early-career researchers, as evidenced by the many publications featuring junior researchers as first authors. His research group has secured significant funding including BioSA Research Project ($175,000), ITEK Catalyst Grant ($105,000), ARC Future Fellowship ($705,120), and ARC Linkage Infrastructure ($170,000). His collaborative approach is evident in the diverse range of research projects spanning bioimaging, materials science, and medical applications, with strong connections to industry and clinical partners. The Massi Research Group operates as a dynamic interdisciplinary team focused on developing luminescent compounds for practical applications. Their work integrates synthetic chemistry, photophysical characterization, and biological testing to create novel materials with real-world utility. The group maintains strong collaborations with researchers across Australia and internationally, contributing to its reputation as a leading center for coordination chemistry research. Current research directions include developing molecular probes for lipid imaging, creating novel materials for OLED applications, and investigating therapeutic potential of metal complexes.

• Biometrics
• Fingerprint Recognition
• Security Systems
• +3 more

Raffaele Cappelli is an Associate Professor at the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, University of Bologna. His research focuses on fingerprint biometrics, emphasizing anti-spoofing, segmentation, and synthetic data generation. He contributes to the Fingerprint Verification Competition (FVC) and has pioneered tools like SFinGe for synthetic fingerprint databases. His work addresses security vulnerabilities in biometric systems and forensic applications. Education and affiliations include roles at the University of Bologna, with expertise in computer science and engineering. His research integrates machine learning, pattern recognition, and hardware acceleration to enhance biometric system performance and reliability. Key areas of study include presentation attack detection, fingerprint orientation estimation, and large-scale database management. He has authored over 70 publications, with notable contributions to forensic science and secure authentication protocols.

• Forensic Science
• Fingermark Detection
• Illicit Drug Analysis
• +5 more

Associate Professor Scott Chadwick is a forensic science academic at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), holding the title Associate Dean (Teaching and Learning) in the Faculty of Science since 2025. He earned his PhD in 2013 from UTS, focusing on Near Infrared Laser Dyes for Latent Fingermark Detection , and holds a BSc (Hons) in Applied Chemistry and Forensic Science (2010). His academic roles at UTS include: Associate Professor (2024–present) Senior Lecturer (2019–2023) Lecturer (2014–2019) Program Director, Bachelor of Forensic Science (2016–2021) Research Interests: Scott leads interdisciplinary work in: Fingermark detection through fundamental understanding of latent mark composition, powder suspensions, and NIR luminescent compounds Firearms analysis focusing on barrel length effects on pellet patterns and decomposition impacts on ballistic evidence Illicit drug intelligence via syringe residue analysis and portable NIR identification Document fraud examining dark web markets and security feature profiling Forensic education innovation in first-year chemistry laboratories Scientific Contributions: His work has produced groundbreaking insights across: Chemical detection of fentanyl in heroin syringes and protonitazene in overdose clusters Forensic materials like optimized iron oxide suspensions with 10% Tween 20 surfactant Ballistic evidence showing rapid bullet corrosion in warm decomposition conditions Identification of route-specific organic impurities in MDA synthesis International policing strategies linking 88% of seized Australian IDs to production series Awards: Australian Awards for University Teaching (AAUT) citation (2024) for team teaching excellence Leadership of 18 new subject developments in forensic science curriculum Collaborative Networks: As a core member of UTS Centre for Forensic Science , Scott works with agencies like the Uniting Medically Supervised Injecting Centre and contributes to international studies on: Forensic drug intelligence via border document screening Secondary transfer mechanisms of organic gunshot residues Handwriting analysis for country-of-origin determination

• Forensic Science
• Fingermark detection
• Fingerprint identification
• +6 more

A/Prof Xanthe Spindler serves as Discipline Leader in Forensic Science within the School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS). With over 15 years of dedicated academic service at UTS, she has established herself as a leading researcher in forensic trace evidence analysis and latent fingermark detection. Dr. Spindler's educational journey began with a Bachelor of Science (Forensic)(Honours) from the University of Newcastle (2006), followed by a PhD in Applied Chemistry from the University of Canberra (in collaboration with UTS Centre for Forensic Science). Her academic appointments at UTS include sessional academic (2010-2012), Chancellor's Postdoctoral Research Fellow (2012-2016), and Lecturer (2016-present). Her research program focuses on understanding and improving methods for detecting latent fingermarks on forensic evidence and at crime scenes. She investigates factors affecting detection success rates and develops better methods using new biomolecular and chemical technologies. Dr. Spindler supervises a collaborative research group working on diverse forensic problems spanning fingermark detection, fingerprint identification, criminalistics, and questioned document examination. Her publication record reveals an evolution from fundamental studies of fingermark composition to practical applications of advanced detection techniques. Recent work demonstrates expanding focus to trace evidence beyond fingerprints, including fiber transfer dynamics in assault scenarios, submersion effects on evidence, and bacterial profiling for donor characteristics. She has made significant contributions to forensic science literature, particularly in nanoparticle applications for fingermark detection. Dr. Spindler holds memberships in the International Fingerprint Research Group and the Australian and New Zealand Forensic Science Society. Her research collaborations include Australian Federal Police, NSW Police, Victoria Police, and international universities. She has successfully secured substantial research funding from the Australian Research Council, US National Institute of Justice, and Defence Science and Technology Group for projects including 'Development of next-generation fingermark lifters' and 'Next-generation latent fingermark detection using functional nanomaterials.' Her work bridges academic research with practical forensic applications, directly impacting crime scene investigation methodologies.