David Thompson

Dr David Thompson is a Senior Lecturer in Forensic and Analytical Chemistry at Keele University's School of Chemical and Physical Sciences. He serves as the MSc Forensic Science Programme Director and leads multiple undergraduate and postgraduate modules including Forensic Science Principles, Forensic Identification, and various independent research projects. Appointed in August 2012, Thompson earned his first degree in chemistry and forensic science from Keele University in 2007, followed by a PhD in analytical chemistry through a collaborative project between Keele University and AstraZeneca.

His research focuses on the forensic applications of global metabolic profiling techniques, particularly in the discovery of buried remains and determination of post-mortem interval. Thompson has developed novel analytical methods using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), including single and multi-analyte immunoassay systems with novel metal labels. One of these systems has been validated for clinical use. His work also encompasses phosphorus-specific metabonomics using ultra performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) ICP-MS.

Thompson's recent publications reveal a strong focus on environmental applications, particularly water treatment and mine remediation using novel nanomaterials. His research spans forensic science, analytical chemistry, environmental science, and food science, demonstrating expertise in metabolomics and advanced analytical techniques. He has published extensively in high-impact journals across these disciplines.

His significant contributions include:

• Development of analytical methods for early-stage cancer biomarker detection
• Applications of metabonomics to forensic analysis
• Novel approaches to environmental remediation using nanomaterials
• Metabolic profiling of food products and biological samples

Thompson actively supervises student research through various dissertation and independent project modules, guiding students in forensic science and analytical chemistry research. His work bridges the gap between analytical chemistry techniques and practical forensic applications, with increasing emphasis on environmental remediation in recent years.