About Farah Mendlesohn

The School of Law, Policing and Forensics at Staffordshire University offers the LLB, MA and LLM; degrees in Policing and Criminal Investigation, Sociology, Criminology and Terrorism and Forensic Science and Investigation. With over fifty staff members we have expertise in rape testing, prevention and prosecution, ballistic testing, fibre analysis, soil analysis, family law and employment law among others. We offer BA and BSc, MSci and MScs along with a Masters by Applied Research in a range of areas including forensic archaeology. @StaffsUniLPF @StaffsFACS_Dept @StaffsUniLaw

Kayleigh Shephard, a PhD student in the school writes…

Posted on 21st January 2017 by Farah Mendlesohn

My PhD research is investigating innovative and novel technology for documenting crime scenes and the subsequent presentation of such evidence in courtrooms. My research seeks to validate the accuracy and precision of measurements taken using a Spheron VR 360-degree camera using photogrammetry in comparison to traditional tape measurements taken at crime scenes.

In addition, the research explores other similar documentation technologies identifying the advantages and disadvantages of these to provide police services with impartial data which may allow them to make a more informed decision when considering purchase of such equipment.

Another part of my research presents a technique, which allows the simultaneous detection and visualisation of semen and saliva utilising a SceneCam 360^o camera (Spheron VR.), which was adapted to integrate a blue Crime Lite XL (Foster + Freeman). These preliminary results are presented as a proof of concept for combining 360^o photography using High Dynamic Range (HDR) and an alternate light source for the detection of biological stains, within a scene, in real time, whilst conveying spatial relationships of staining to other evidence

This technique presents the opportunity to rapidly screen a crime scene for biological fluids and will facilitate simultaneous location and visualisation of biological evidence. The final part of my research explores the current situation with regards to technology use in the courtroom. This study explores scene of crime officers and road traffic officers experiences with the use of technology in the courtroom and their opinions on the use of technology and future technology in the courtroom.

More recently we have started research investigating the use of the Spheron SceneCam 360-degree camera and laser systems of different wavelengths for the detection of biological fluids at crime scenes.

2 Day 3D Virtual Reconstruction Course Jan 2017

Posted on 21st January 2017 by Farah Mendlesohn

In January, four academics from the Department of Criminal Justice and Forensic Science, Dean Northfield, Neil Lamont, Rachel Bolton-King and David Flatman-Fairs successfully completed Advanced Laser Imaging’s 2 day course in virtual reconstruction. After learning about the theory of laser scanning and its application to casework examples, we used the Faro 3D laser scanner to collect accurate data of the University’s Crime Scene House where a shooting incident had occurred. Our first challenge was to ensure that all areas of the house were captured and that no ‘black holes’ existed in our dataset!

To construct our virtual scene, we uploaded and successfully joined together (registered) all individual scan datasets, creating a colour 3D point cloud. Using the software we explored all areas of the house, annotating evidence, measuring objects of interest and creating a navigational journey through the scene, which could be presented to the jury. We were relieved to find that no important areas of our crime scene had been missed!

Using case examples we identified co-ordinate locations of any bullet holes within 3D point clouds for various crime scenes. We constructed accurate 3D models of bullet trajectories and were able to apply these into virtual scenes to establish the location of the firearm at the time of each shooting. To present such models in court, we created a video animation to seamlessly travel through the reconstructed scene, viewing objects at appropriate angles using motions such as dollys, orbits, trucks and pans.

This hands-on course was very interesting and engaging, developing valuable skills for application to both our research and teaching; we are now eager to put them into practice!

The Student Assembly Against Austerity

Posted on 21st January 2017 by Farah Mendlesohn

Hi Kyla thanks for speaking with us today. So, please tell us all about the Student Assembly Against Austerity here at Staffordshire University

The movement here is part of a wider national movement stemming from the student wing of the People’s Assembly Against Austerity and there are many branches at different University’s across the country. It is primarily concerned with the rising cost of education and student debt however, they are also concerned with the wider issue of austerity and social injustices more broadly speaking. We’ve been on many national demonstrations, most recently we all gathered in London for the ‘United for Education’ demo which brought together a diverse set of students and workers from the Higher Education sector. I have been involved in activism for many years but this particular movement came about through speaking with fellow students here at the university who also had a shared passion for these issues.

I understand there are a lot of links between what you are doing with the assembly and your degree course in Sociology, Criminology and Deviance perhaps you could tell us some more

Reflecting from a personal perspective, activism with the Student Assembly is giving me and others complimentary experiential learning that enriches and enhances classroom experiences, such as lectures and seminars. In class we discuss contemporary issues, like those you see on the news all the time, such as the housing crisis, discrimination, corruption in powerful institutions, war and conflict and that’s just a few examples off the top of my head – there are many more. In addition to this, through our student led Sociology and Criminology Society we’ve been able to foster links with wider activist groups and secure some amazing guest speakers from a wide variety of campaigns that also seek to challenge inequalities and injustice.

So what next for the Student Assembly?

We plan to keep on expanding and coordinating with the national group to raise awareness of some of the most pressing issues facing students (and wider society) today. We work for students up and down the country both ‘home’ and international students inclusively. We are also looking to make a film about all these issues and we have a joint project with the Sociology and Criminology Society that will include a free screening of the film I, Daniel Blake with guest speakers.

Thank you Kyla, if people want to know more about the Student Assembly or how to get involved where can they go?

Absolutely! you can find us on Facebook by searching for Staffs Student Assembly Against Austerity.

Kyla Lawton is a second year undergraduate studying BA (Hons) Sociology, Crime and Devianceand co-coordinator of the Sociology and Criminology Society at Staffordshire University.

Forensics in Practice

Posted on 17th January 2017 by Farah Mendlesohn

This morning saw the start of the introduction to Forensic Practice the first module in the Postgraduate Certificate of Advanced Forensic Practice. This is the only award of its kind in the UK. Previously Health professionals would have had to travelled to the USA, or Canada to undertake this type of qualification. Nurses and Paramedics who undertake forensic examinations in both custody and sexual assault settings are benefiting from 21^st Century purpose built education environments at Staffordshire University, including a Crime Scene House and life size court-room. This allows students to experience real life in a safe learning environment.

Tool kit

The award has been recognised by the Faculty of Forensic and Legal Medicine (FFLM), College of Paramedics and United Kingdom Association of Forensic Nurses (UKAFN) as the minimum qualification for Nurses and paramedics working in Forensic Practice.

The Forensic Team are based in the £31 million purpose built Science Centre in the centre of the City of Stoke-on-Trent . The module team are all experts in their fields and notch up over a 100 yeas of practitioner and academic experience between them.

The award Leader is also the Education Officer for UKAFN, which provides her with a unique insight into the challenges and education needs of these Health Practitioners. The Postgraduate Certificate of this award also includes the UKAFN ASET Certificate, which certifies this award meets the Advanced Standards in Education and Training as set out by UKAFN. The FFLM have acknowledged that the ASET Certificate can also bemused in part of the FFLM Licentiate, where successful ASET Students can undertake the FFLM MCQ and OSCE examination to obtain an FFLM Licentiate.

Students are clearly enjoying accessing the learning materials which is bringing together theory and practice, such as this morning where the students were required to identify injuries on a ‘real-life’ artists model who had simulated traumatic injuries to identify and body map. When asked why are you undertaking this course, one student responded by saying that ‘she wanted to be the best forensic nurse she could be’.