Emma Hough

Emma Hough serves as a Lecturer in Digital Forensics at Keele University's School of Chemical and Physical Sciences, joining the institution in October 2023 after an 8.5-year career with Staffordshire Police.

Education:

• 2:1 Honours degree in Forensic Science and Criminology from Keele University (2014)

Research Focus: Specializing in digital evidence acquisition and processing for major crimes, fraud, and child exploitation cases using forensic tools including EnCase, X-Ways, and AXIOM. Her operational experience directly informs practical teaching methodologies in digital forensics.

Professional Innovation: Co-created Operation Safenet—a collaborative initiative between Staffordshire Police's Digital Forensics Unit and Child Exploitation Team enabling real-time device examination during warrants to accelerate convictions in child exploitation cases. Notable casework includes the 28-year murder conviction reported by Staffordshire Police and BBC-covered child exploitation operations.