Crime busters join forensics conference

The vital work of today's crime scene investigators will be explored during a Scientific Support Conference at Nottingham Trent University on February 5.

The university has teamed up with Nottinghamshire Police for the event - the first of its kind in the region - which will include talks from CSI fingerprint officers, imaging and forensic database officers, forensic intelligence officers and forensic scientists.

Forensic science staff and students from the university's School of Science and Technology will attend the conference. They will be shown first-hand why there is a growing reliance on forensic science to produce conclusive evidence in court, and how advancements in technology have enabled crimes to be solved much quicker and easier.

Experts from Nottinghamshire Police's fingerprint identification team and the Home Office Scientific Development branch will demonstrate current fingerprinting methods. And there will be a presentation on how new image capture and facial recognition systems are providing improved identification and verification in the fight against crime.

Visitors will also hear how DNA, odontology and anthropology have played key roles in helping to identify disaster victims, such as those of the Indian Ocean tsunami in 2004.

David Butler, Principal Lecturer in Forensic Science in the university's School of Science and Technology, said: "We are delighted to be working so closely with Nottinghamshire Police. This event is the latest in a number of forensic science-related joint initiatives that have come to fruition over the last year. The conference offers a superb opportunity for our staff and students to meet and listen to leading experts involved in forensic investigation work.

"Forensic science students at the university benefit not only from the close working relationship with Nottinghamshire Police, but also from the specialist forensic teaching facilities available at the university, including a crime scene house and evidence examination laboratories. A large investment has also been made in state-of-the-art crime scene and forensic laboratory equipment."

Scientific Support Manager at Nottinghamshire Police, Peter Hulmston, said: "We are very excited to be teaming up with the university to stage this conference. This is one of the most vital and challenging areas of police work, and I am extremely encouraged by the number and quality of students who want to become a part of it."

He added: "There is growing reliance on forensic science to produce conclusive evidence in court, and so it is an important responsibility to make sure that we present that data correctly and in a fashion where it is beyond dispute. The biggest buzz you get out of this job is seeing a dangerous criminal convicted."

You can find out more by visiting the NTU website at
www.ntu.ac.uk