Leisa Nichols-Drew

Leisa Nichols-Drew is Associate Professor in Forensic Biology at De Montfort University, affiliated with the Leicester School of Pharmacy within the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences. She is a Chartered Forensic Practitioner (ChFP) and maintains active involvement in national forensic casework, contributing to major criminal investigations. Her academic and professional roles are deeply intertwined, reflecting a commitment to both education and real-world forensic application.

Her educational background includes a BSc (Hons) in Biomedicine (First Class), an MSc in Forensic Science and Criminal Justice (Distinction), a PGCertHE (Distinction), and a DTLLS (Distinction). These qualifications underpin her dual expertise in science and pedagogy.

Leisa's research interests focus on forensic biology, blood pattern analysis, evidence recovery, and the development of novel techniques for fingermark and shoe mark visualisation on challenging surfaces such as leather and metal. She has pioneered methods like the transition of galvanic silver deposition for bullet casings and developed unique approaches for leather substrates. Her work in pedagogy emphasizes experiential learning, forensic employability, and immersive technologies in education.

Her recent publications and research outputs demonstrate a strong trend in translating laboratory innovations into operational forensic practice. Key themes include latent print development, forensic chemistry, and interdisciplinary applications of imaging techniques across international jurisdictions.

• Chartered Forensic Practitioner (ChFP) - Biology (2020)
• National Teacher Fellowship (2019)
• Research Engaged Teaching Award, DMU (2019)
• Churchill Fellowship (2018) – Knife crime international study
• HEA CATE Spotlight Award (2018)
• Research Impact Award Nomination (2017)
• Best Overall Student Performance Award, University of Leicester (2017)
• Nominated for Vice Chancellor Distinguished Teaching Awards (2017–2020)

Leisa has supervised and mentored students at DMU, particularly in forensic science programs, though specific advisee names are not listed. She has led externally funded projects, including a Winston Churchill Memorial Trust grant on knife crime and internal DMU funding for academic innovation and research-engaged teaching. Her consultancy work spans forensic casework, quality auditing, laboratory design, and training delivery with organizations such as Leicestershire Police, Cellmark Forensics, Foster+Freeman, and Kings College London.

She is actively involved in professional communities and research groups, including the Forensic Science Research Group and Pedagogy Research Group at DMU. She contributes to the Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences as an Assessor, Link Member Representative, and Conferences Committee Member. Her international engagement includes workshops in Canada, The Netherlands, Kenya, and collaboration with Interpol and the US Secret Service.