Rebecca Jones

Rebecca's area of expertise is in crime scene examination, gained as a professional practitioner of almost 15 years with two police forces. She is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA).

[email protected]

Connect with Rebecca on LinkedIn

Background

Rebecca is a Senior Lecturer Practitioner in Crime and Investigative Studies. Rebecca graduated from Anglia Ruskin University (previously Anglia Polytechnic University, APU) in 2003 with a BSc (Hons) in Forensic Science, before embarking on an almost 15-year career as a Crime Scene Investigator. She worked for two police forces, covering a full range of crime scene types including high profile scenes and cold cases. During her career as a Crime Scene Investigator she continued to develop her expertise through training and professional development and particularly enjoyed and excelled in mentoring two new staff members who had developed into competent Crime Scene Investigators, as well as delivering training to police officers and peers.

Rebecca has also been involved with lecturing at Bedfordshire University for Level 4 and Level 5 on the BSc (Hons) Forensic Science degree course.

Rebecca worked in partnership with Staffordshire University on a fibre tape research project where an abstract presentation was delivered at the European Academy of Forensic Science International Conference 2012 and 2015.

Most recently has been involved with a pedagogic project as a result of a Learning and Teaching project award, producing a research poster at the Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences conference (Oct 23) evaluating the use of a mobile application for current students, this application is also in use nationally by Police forces along with other institutions in HE, bringing research and teaching together.

As a lecturer practitioner Rebecca is actively involved in external research groups, such the national working group for the Forensic Capability Network that works with all Police forces in England and Wales, Rebecca has contributed to their research by presenting her research on the effects of CSI trauma at their first international research week. Rebecca has continued to contribute to the development of a new Forensic Investigators wellbeing toolkit that has been published for all Police forces in England and Wales.

She has also conducted cold case reviews and carried out her dissertation on cold case reviews using advanced DNA techniques; this was in conjunction with Northumbria Police and the Forensic Science Service. Rebecca was awarded several commendations for her professionalism at the crime scenes she has attended, as well as awards for her customer service delivery.

She joined ARU to embark on her career as a full time Lecturer Practitioner. Since joining ARU Rebecca has progressed to Deputy Head of School, previously the Course Leader for Crime and Investigative Studies for over 4 years and Senior Lecturer Practitioner. She is a member of the Forensic & Investigative Sciences Research Group.

Rebecca is also a volunteer dog trainer for Service Dogs UK, working with assistance dogs for veterans from the armed forces and 999 services that have experienced PTSD.

Research interests

• Crime Scene Investigation and examination
• DNA techniques
• Bluestar and luminol techniques
• Bloodstain pattern analysis
• Service canines and Breed Specific Legislation and Finns Law
• CSI wellbeing
• Fire Service personnel wellbeing
• Cognitive bias in crime scene examination
• Fibre transfer
• ISO accreditation

Areas of research supervision

CSI wellbeing

Teaching

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

Qualifications

Academic qualifications

• PG Certificate (HE)- Anglia Ruskin University
• BSc (Hons) Forensic Science-Anglia Polytechnic University
• BCCS CanDipBhv – British College of Canine Studies
• BTEC Sports Science- Cambridge Regional College

Crime scene investigation

• Introduction to Fire Investigation Level 2- Gardiner Associates Training and Research Ltd
• Fire and Arson Investigation Course practical Course- Gardiner Associates Training and Research Ltd
• Practical Fire Investigation Course- The Fire Service College
• Volume Crime Scene Examiners course- Hertfordshire Constabulary
• Conversion Volume Crime Scene Investigator Course - Centrex
• Certificate in Basic Bloodstain Pattern Analysis- Forensic Science Service

Memberships, editorial boards

• Professional Member of the Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences
• Member of the British Association of Human Identification
• Ordinary Member of the Registration Council for Dog Training and Behaviour Practitioners (RCDTBP)
• Fellow of the Higher Education Academy
• Forensic Capability Network Wellbeing Working Group panel member
• External examiner

Research grants, consultancy, knowledge exchange

Anglia Learning & Teaching Award: Can a mobile app build student confidence for practical skills in a post COVID-19 world? Embedding the crime scene assist mobile application to enhance practical skills teaching in Forensic and Investigative Sciences

Selected recent publications

Jackson, A., Gwinnett, C., Jones, R., 2015. Easylift Three Years On: Use of this Novel Tapelifting System for Fibres Evidence Screening and Ventures into Automated Fibre Finding. Abstract Submission EAFS 2015 Conference Confirmation.

Recent presentations and conferences

The effects of trauma exposure on CSIs - Is it time for a new approach? Forensic Capability Network Research Festival, September 2021.

The Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences 2023- poster presentation

Media experience

“We have to look after them”: FCN begins policing’s first national forensic workforce strategy. Forensic Capability Network news.