Richard Paul

Professor Richard Paul is Chair in Bioanalytical Chemistry at Bournemouth University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry and Forensic Science. He leads the Analytical Science Research Group and holds active research grants from the U.K. Home Office, Skin Cancer Research Fund, and several charitable trusts. His work bridges forensic and medical sciences through advanced analytical techniques.

His research focuses on bioanalytical chemistry applications in forensic and medical fields, particularly biomarker discovery for toxicology, pathology, and disease detection. He employs headspace analysis, mass spectrometry, surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS), and chemometrics. Key projects include early detection of skin cancer via volatile organic compounds, monitoring new psychoactive substances (NPS) in prisons and wastewater, and developing printable graphene sensors for drug and alcohol detection.

The 15 most recent publications reflect a strong trend in environmental and forensic monitoring, with a focus on NPS, drug stability, and biomarker detection in hair, wastewater, and biological fluids. Techniques like GC×GC-TOF MS, LC-TOF, and SERS are frequently used, demonstrating methodological innovation. Applications span public health, criminal justice, and clinical diagnostics.

Scientific contributions include commissioned reports for the U.K. Home Office and Prison Officers Association on synthetic opioids and prison drug exposure. He is a member of the HMPPS Psychoactive Substances Expert Group and serves as an external examiner at King’s College London. He is also active in public engagement through platforms like The Conversation and science festivals.

He supervises PhD students Bethan Davies and Ramin Boroujerdi, whose work centers on NPS in wastewater and graphene-based sensors. His research is supported by diverse grants, including those from DSTL, HEIF6, and the Royal Society of Chemistry. He leads the Christchurch House redevelopment project and serves as accreditation lead for the BSc Forensic Science program.

His team operates within the Analytical Science Research Group, focusing on problem-driven research that develops novel methodologies. Collaborations include University Hospitals Dorset, SYNLAB UK, and government agencies, ensuring translational impact in healthcare and policy.