PN:12/06
Issue date: 21 March 2006

EPSRC Press Release

Invitation for journalists

30th March 2006, Thistle City Barbican Hotel, London EC1V 8DS

EPSRC Crime Prevention and Detection Technologies Event:
Forensic Science

• Improved fingerprint recovery from metals such as gun cartridges and bomb fragments
• Using the chemistry of colour to identify chemical and biological weapons
• Portable DNA profiling techniques that could be used at the scene of a crime
• More accurate ways of ascertaining the age at death of victims of crime
• Latest developments in scanning and sensing technology that are improving the detection of drugs and explosives at security check points

These are just some of the current research areas being supported by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council. This event will focus on the contribution that EPSRC-funded science and engineering is making to the development of forensic science.

“In criminal investigations forensic science plays a fundamental role in the fight against crime and reducing the threat to national security,” said Andy Burnham MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office.  “The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council is making a vital contribution to the continued and future development of forensic science.” Andy Burnham will be making the keynote address at the event.

There will also be presentations by researchers and representatives of forensic science laboratories. The programme will also include question and answer and poster sessions.

Notes for Editors:
Ten case studies on some of the research areas being highlighted at this event are available (for more information see contact below).

Journalists wishing to attend the full event and / or the networking session with leading academics in this field, should e-mail  Natasha.richardson@epsrc.ac.uk with the following details:

Name:
Organisation:
Contact e-mail:
Contact telephone number:
I would like to attend the networking session at 10 am: yes/no
I would like to attend the full event (details below): yes/no

Event Programme:
Crime Prevention and Detection Technologies Dissemination Event: Forensic Science - Thistle Barbican Hotel, London, 30th March 2006

10:00   Networking Session

10:15   Registration opens
   
10:45   Presentations:

Welcome Address: Professor John O’Reilly, EPSRC Chief Executive
   
10:55   Keynote Address: Andy Burnham, MP, Home Office, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Immigration, Citizenship and Nationality 

Session 1: Volume crime focus

11:10   Chairperson: Dr David Werrett, Forensic Science Service CEO

11:15   Presentation: Miniaturisation of analytical systems – the pros and cons for forensic applications - Professor Steve Haswell – University of Hull

11:35   Presentation: Exploiting the chemistry of fingerprints in forensic science - Dr Sue Jickells – King’s College London

11:55   Presentation: Going Mobile – research and development in the Forensic Science Service - Andrew Hopwood, Forensic Science Service 

12:15   Presentation: Shoeprint recognition and analysis  technology: Exploiting footwear evidence and  Intelligence - Professor Nigel Allinson, University of Sheffield
   
12:35   Chairperson’s closing remarks: Dr David Werrett

12:45   Lunch and displays

14:00   Presentations:

Session 2: Serious crime focus

Chairperson: Alan Pratt Director, Home Office Scientific Development Branch (HOSDB)
 
14:05   Presentation: A nanotechnology approach for detecting crime - Professor David Russell – University of East Anglia

14:25   Presentation: Chemical sensors for chemical warfare agents - Simon Aldridge – Cardiff University

14.45   Presentation: Dick Lacey, HOSDB

15:05   Refreshments and displays

15:25   Presentation: Complementary techniques for the  spectroscopy of materials of security relevance - Professor Giles Davies - University of Leeds

15:45   Presentation: A novel source of terahertz radiation for drug detection - Professor Malcolm Dunn – University of St Andrews

16:05   Panel Q&A session

16:30    Closing Remarks: Dr Alasdair Rose, EPSRC Crime and Security Programme Manager

EPSRC has invested more than £10 million in research directed at combating crime. In 2002, EPSRC launched the Crime Prevention and Detection Technologies Programme to encourage scientists and engineers to think about how their discipline and expertise might help protect the UK from terrorism and crime. For more information visit: http://www.epsrc.ac.uk/ResearchFunding/Programmes/Cross-EPSRCActivities/CrimePreventionAndDetectionTechnologies/default.htm

The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) is the UK’s main agency for funding research in engineering and the physical sciences. The EPSRC invests more than £500 million a year in research and postgraduate training, to help the nation handle the next generation of technological change. The areas covered range from information technology to structural engineering, and mathematics to materials science. This research forms the basis for future economic development in the UK and improvements for everyone’s health, lifestyle and culture. EPSRC also actively promotes public awareness of science and engineering. EPSRC works alongside other Research Councils with responsibility for other areas of research. The Research Councils work collectively on issues of common concern via Research Councils UK. Website address for more information on EPSRC: www.epsrc.ac.uk/

Venue information:
Thistle City Barbican Hotel, Central Street, Clerkenwell, London EC1V 8DS. Nearest tube station is Old Street (on the Northern Line).
For a map visit: www.milesfaster.co.uk/maps/thistle-city-barbican-map.htm

Contacts:
For e-mail copies of the 10 case studies (which include relevant contacts and image details) contact Natasha Richardson at the EPSRC Press Office, tel: 01793 444404, e-mail: natasha.richardson@epsrc.ac.uk.