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Find out more about self-funded PhD projects in areas where we already have supervisors active and engaged in the research topic in our School of Life Sciences.
Forensic and Investigative Sciences Research Group
Dr Karen Scott (Arcadia University, USA)
Toxicology
The stability of new psychoactive substances in various biological matrices is well researched and studied, however there is little information surrounding the reference material itself. As the analysis of new psychoactive substances is not routinely conducted within a forensic toxicology laboratory, once opened reference material may be in use for a long period of time. It is therefore important that the longevity of these materials be further examined to ensure accurate reporting of case samples.
This project is self-funded.
Details of studentships for which funding is available are selected by a competitive process and are advertised on our jobs website as they become available.
If you wish to be considered for this project, you will need to apply for our Forensic & Investigative Sciences PhD. In the section of the application form entitled 'Outline research proposal', please quote the above title and include a research proposal.
Forensic and Investigative Sciences Research Group
This project will be jointly supervised with Dr Lata Gautam and Dr Nathalie Zahra and in collaboration with the Defence Science Technology Laboratory (DSTL).
Impression evidence, trace analysis
Eco-friendly bags are bags manufactured using materials which are environmentally friendly. In recent years, fingermark development techniques have seen a decline in the quality of marks developed from such surfaces and this could be associated with the “new” types of bags. This research is focused on understanding the chemical interactions between eco-friendly bags and fingermark development techniques but also understanding the surface chemistry which may be impacting on fingermark development techniques.
This project is self-funded.
Details of studentships for which funding is available are selected by a competitive process and are advertised on our jobs website as they become available.
If you wish to be considered for this project, you will need to apply for our Forensic & Investigative Sciences PhD. In the section of the application form entitled 'Outline research proposal', please quote the above title and include a research proposal.
Forensic and Investigative Sciences Research Group
This project will be jointly supervised with Dr Lata Gautam and in collaboration with Dr Jo Murphy from University of Leicester.
Impression evidence, trace analysis
Latent fingermarks are the commonest type of fingermark found at crime scenes. Although there are a multitude of enhancement techniques currently available to develop fingermarks on a range of surfaces, some surfaces require additional research. The Fingermark Visualisation Manual provides crime scene practitioner’s with sequential information regarding which enhancement processes are best suited for a range of deposition surfaces. However, there are still many surfaces, such as untreated metal, painted walls, non-paper based wallpapers and cellophane where more knowledge is required regarding which development techniques provide optimum results. The research questions that require answering are what enhancement techniques are practitioners currently using on these substrates? Do these techniques successfully develop fingermarks? What is the optimum sequential process to maximise the number of fingermarks available for visualisation and subsequent identification? Are there any alternative development methods that can be incorporated into a sequential workflow? Can the current techniques be used safely in-situ and are the reagents currently used sustainable? The data acquired could be used to advance knowledge for fingermark practitioners and change current guidelines.
This project is self-funded.
Details of studentships for which funding is available are selected by a competitive process and are advertised on our jobs website as they become available.
If you wish to be considered for this project, you will need to apply for our Forensic & Investigative Sciences PhD. In the section of the application form entitled 'Outline research proposal', please quote the above title and include a research proposal.
Forensic and Investigative Sciences Research Group
This project will be jointly supervised with Dr Lata Gautam and Dr Nathalie Zahra and in collaboration with the Defence Science Technology Laboratory (DSTL).
Impression evidence, trace analysis
Wet Powder Suspension is a technique used to develop latent fingermarks from semi-porous and non-porous surfaces. Although previous research assessed the effectiveness of this technique from various surfaces, the exact mechanism in which powder suspension works is not known. This project will examine various formulations of wet powder suspensions and will investigate the chemical interactions between fingermarks and wet powder suspensions.
This project is self-funded.
Details of studentships for which funding is available are selected by a competitive process and are advertised on our jobs website as they become available.
If you wish to be considered for this project, you will need to apply for our Forensic & Investigative Sciences PhD. In the section of the application form entitled 'Outline research proposal', please quote the above title and include a research proposal.
Forensic and Investigative Sciences Research Group
This project will be jointly supervised with Dr Lata Gautam.
Evidence based policing
The project will identify and assess the impact of Police interventions in drug market activity, on offenders, users and the wider community. The methods used by Police will be analysed and the impact in terms of crime numbers, harm, health and wellbeing and safe and inclusive communities will be considered through qualitative and quantitative measures.
This project is self-funded.
Details of studentships for which funding is available are selected by a competitive process and are advertised on our jobs website as they become available.
If you wish to be considered for this project, you will need to apply for our Forensic & Investigative Sciences PhD. In the section of the application form entitled 'Outline research proposal', please quote the above title and include a research proposal.