Speakers
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Natalie KyneswoodSenior Sessional Tutor in Criminal EvidenceNatalie's research interests include criminal evidence and procedural law, legal practice, gender and criminal justice - Natalie's MSc thesis was on the subject of feminist digilantism and informal justice. |
Just pressing play - The Effect of Video Recorded Evidence on the Presentation of Evidence and the Format of the Adversarial Trial
Natalie will explore the degree to which quasi-digital courtrooms and video recorded testimony tempers traditional cross-examination in sex offence cases and disrupts traditional adversarial concepts, such as the distinction between prosecution and defence evidence and the reliance on orality and demeanour to assess the credibility of the witness evidence.
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Dr Danielle NormanDr Danielle Norman is currently a post-doc with the Forensic Centre for Digital Scanning and 3D printing, WMG where, alongside Prof Mark Williams, she supports UK Police Forces using advanced radiological techniques. She has published numerous forensic imaging papers, supervised PhD students and provided expert evidence for over 50 cases; the first of which resulted in her receiving the Chief Constable's Award. Prior to this, Danielle completed a Psychology PhD under the supervision of Prof Derrick Watson and Prof Kim Wade where she researched the Concealed Information Test and was subsequently awarded a Faculty PhD Prize. |
Forensic Imaging Research and Application for UK Homicide Cases
Forensic micro-radiology is a relatively new area of forensic science that uses high-resolution X-ray technology to support criminal justice. Our team, in close collaboration with the West Midlands Police, has been applying this technology weekly to assist with active homicide cases. As a team we conduct impactful research alongside casework to ensure that our forensic science is evidence-based. This short presentation will introduce our areas of research and related cases we have supported from suspected strangulations to 3D Printing for court.
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Patrick Home, WMG Forensic CentrePatrick is currently developing a workflow for the 3D capture and presentation of BPA evidence and researching its effectiveness in investigative and court processes. Thanks to the Forensic Centre’s ongoing partnership with West Midlands Police (WMP), Patrick’s PhD project is part-funded by WMP and he works with forensic technicians and scientists on active criminal investigations. |
3D laser scanning and visualisation for Bloodstain Pattern Analysis
WMG’s forensic centre has access to a wide range of 3D scanning and visualisation technologies that can and have been applied in support of criminal investigations in the UK.
The aim of this PhD project is to assess the suitability of terrestrial laser scanners for scanning crime-scenes requiring Bloodstain Pattern Analysis (BPA). In partnership with West Midlands Police, WMG has produced 3D scene models that have been used for homicide investigation forensic processes. Currently, the academic scope of the project includes researching the effects of introducing these 3D models in investigative and judicial processes, examining the accuracy, validity and utility of software for calculating the area of origin for impact blood patterns, and quantifying the characteristics of scenes requiring BPA, in order to inform experimental methodology. The project seeks to provide new methods through the utilisation of 3D scanning technologies in order to assist police and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) in improving expert witness presentation and juror understanding of complex evidence
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Sharda MurriaSharda Murria currently studies at the School of Law, The University of Warwick. Her research focuses on whether BWV can improve police stop and search practice. |
The role of body worn videos in strengthening accountability in police use of stop and search powers.
This talk examines the role of body worn videos in strengthening transparency and accountability in the use of police stop and search powers. Since their inception, stop and search powers have been controversial for their disproportionate and discriminatory application. The low visibility nature of search powers and the inadequacy of current accountability mechanisms makes it difficult for officers to be held to account for any misuses of search powers, which undermines public confidence in search powers, and policing more broadly. We discuss the potential for BWVs to deter police misconduct, to improve police stop and search practice and to strengthen community-led accountability.