Alex Ashmore

Alex joined Anglia Ruskin University as an associate lecturer in September 2020, becoming a full-time lecturer in crime and investigative studies in August 2023. Additionally, Alex is an active search technician and first responder for Cambridge Search and Rescue.

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Background

Alex graduated with a first-class honours degree in Forensic Science from Anglia Ruskin University, undertaking a final year project comparing the effects of different aquatic environments on the decomposition of porcine tissue. Upon completion of his undergraduate degree, he was immediately asked to return to assist in the delivery of taught content as a laboratory demonstrator.

Alongside his demonstrating and his later promotion to an Associate Lecturer, Alex completed a Masters degree in Bioarchaeology and Forensic Anthropology from University College London. His final project was entitled “Sink or Swim: An unironically dry investigation into the impact of inland aquatic environments on criminal investigations in England and Wales.” He is currently undertaking a PG Certificate in Learning and Teaching (Higher Education).

Alongside his studies and teaching, Alex has gained experience outside of academia. He is a member of multiple active working groups including the Cranfield Recovery and Identification of Conflict Casualties (CRICC), and Cambridgeshire Search and Rescue. Additionally, Alex has undertaken a deployment to Sicily for the repatriation of WW2 remains, has played an active role in numerous high-risk missing persons investigations, and has undertaken multiple attachments with local police forces.

At ARU he is a Lecturer in Crime and Investigative Studies and Employability Lead for Forensic and Investigative Courses. He is a member of the Forensic & Investigative Sciences Research Group.

Research interests

• Location, recovery, and identification of human remains and evidence from aquatic environments
• Effects of aquatic environments on decomposition of human tissue
• Missing Persons Investigations within England and Wales
• Relationship between Police and Search and Rescue Groups

Teaching

Courses

• BSc (Hons) Crime and Investigative Studies
• BSc (Hons) Forensic Science
• MSc Forensic Science

Module Leader

• UK Legal Systems and Law for Forensic Scientists
• Investigative Skills
• Police and Forensic Investigations

Assists on modules

• Forensic Anthropology
• Forensic Pathology
• Introduction to Fire Investigations

Qualifications

• MSc Bioarchaeology and Forensic Anthropology – UCL
• BSc (Hons) Forensic Science – ARU
• Qualsafe Level 3 Award in First Response Emergency Care – Prehospital Care and Aid Worldwide

Memberships, editorial boards

• Associate of the Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences
• Active Search Technician and First Responder with Cambridge Search and Rescue
• Team Member of the Cranfield Recovery and Identification of Conflict Casualties Team
• Team Member of Blakes Emergency Services