SPRING 2025

Uncovering Collaboration in Forensic Anthropology, Archaeology and the Environmental Sciences

A one day conference for police and professionals working within the criminal justice system

 

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Please note that due to the sensitive nature of content at this event, registration is only open to police, forensic health practitioners, prosecutors or other relevant professionals.

Pushing the Boundaries at Edgbaston

This one day conference for professionals involved in sexual offence investigations is being held at the iconic Edgbaston cricket ground in Birmingham.

Our speakers will explore how close collaboration between forensic healthcare practitioners (FHPs), police investigators, CSIs, CPS and forensic scientists is helping to unlock the potential of forensic evidence recovered in sexual offence investigations. You will also learn how ongoing developments are pushing the scientific boundaries and delivering additional forensic capability to support investigations and successful prosecutions.  

During the day you will hear from experienced investigators and forensic practitioners about the benefits of exchanging detailed information and devising joint strategies. They will discuss how this approach, combined with new forensic applications has already helped the investigation of some of the most challenging sexual offences cases.

When, Where and Who 

   30th April 2024, 9.00am to 4.30pm
  Edgbaston Cricket Ground, Birmingham
  £75 +VAT per person, including lunch (payable online or by invoice)
  Due to the sensitive nature of the content, this event is only open to police, forensic health practitioners, prosecutors or other relevant professionals involved in the investigation of sexual offences.

Agenda 

09.00 Tea, coffee and registration
9.30 Welcome and opening address David Hartshorne, Cellmark Forensic Services
9.45 A team effort - The benefits of collaboration to the forensic outcomes of sexual offences cases Paula O'Rourke, Cellmark Forensic Services
10.15 Getting it right from the start - The critical role of the SARC in sexual offence investigations Jasmine Newton, Mountain Healthcare
10.45 Tea and coffee break
11.05 Tactics and strategies - The importance of case assessment and forensic strategy on case outcomes and activity reporting Rachel Morgan, Cellmark Forensic Services
11.35 Operation Redwing - Case reviews of unsolved historic sexual offences using cutting edge forensic science to assist in their detection Julian Revitt-Smith, Norfolk Constabulary and Kim Edwards, Cellmark Forensic Services
12.35 Lunch
13.20 Playing the long game - Twenty years of collaboration and research by the Body Fluid Forum to improve the value of body fluid evidence within the CJS Gerry Davidson, Cellmark Forensic Services
13.50 Pushing the boundaries - Recent research aimed at improving the evidential outcomes in sexual offences cases Jonathan Finnis, Cellmark Forensic Services
14.20 Tea and coffee break
14.40 Operation Sandpiper - A relentless policy of close reviews and advancement in forensics which identified 'The Bedsit Killer' after more than 30 years Emma Jennings and Clare Lockwood, Kent Police and Ben Lanham, Cellmark Forensic Services
16.10 Closing address David Hartshorne, Cellmark Forensic Services
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Tea, coffee and registration

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Welcome and opening address

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A team effort

The benefits of collaboration to the forensic outcomes of sexual offences cases

Sexual Offence investigations represent some of the most challenging cases for physical forensic science analysis. As a result, excellent communication between all the agencies involved, from before a case is submitted for forensic analysis, right through to presentation in court, is needed to maximise the opportunities for understanding and interpreting the available forensic evidence. As well as discussing the benefits of a holistic approach across the agencies we will review current collaborations and their successes and look forward to how we can work together to improve the future outcomes of these complex investigations.

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Getting it right from the start

The critical role of the SARC in sexual offence investigations

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Tea and coffee break

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Tactics and strategies

The importance of case assessment and forensic strategy on case outcomes and activity reporting

This presentation will introduce delegates to the internationally recognised Case Assessment and Interpretation (CAI) model used by Cellmark in every Sexual Offence case.  A robust case assessment is the foundation to an effective forensic investigation helping the forensic scientist to achieve best evidence in every case.  Activity reporting is used to ensure the key aspects of the forensic findings can be understood by all stakeholders from the investigating police officer to CPS and the jury members. 

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Operation Redwing

Case reviews of unsolved historic sexual offences using cutting edge forensic science to assist in their detection

Focussed case review and the targeted forensic analysis of over 30 of Norfolk police’s historic unsolved sexual offence cases has been delivering significant successes, demonstrating the value of close collaboration between investigators and forensic scientists.  

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Lunch

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Playing the long game

Twenty years of collaboration and research by the Body Fluid Forum to improve the value of body fluid evidence within the CJS

The Body Fluid Forum (BFF) comprises scientists from all the major forensic providers in England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Ireland and was established in 2003 to identify and share best practice in the recovery, identification and interpretation of body fluid evidence. The BFF scientists meet regularly to discuss issues encountered by Forensic Practitioners and work together on R&D projects focussed on addressing these issues. This presentation will include highlights from some of the BFF’s numerous publications and will focus on its recent research with an explanation of how this is assisting with the interpretation and reporting of Sexual Offence cases.

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Pushing the boundaries

Recent research aimed at improving the evidential outcomes in sexual offences cases

A look at some of the research undertaken by Cellmark Forensic Services with a view to improving evidence recovery and reporting outcomes in relation to sexual offence cases; including biogeographical-ancestry determination utilising next generation sequencing and Y-STR analysis, lubricants and the recovery of semen from exhibits containing superabsorbent polymers.

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Tea and coffee break

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Operation Sandpiper

A relentless policy of close reviews and advancement in forensics which identified 'The Bedsit Killer' after more than 30 years

David Fuller’s subsequent arrest uncovered a disturbing double life of secretive offending against women and children, leading to Operation Sandpiper; one of the biggest investigations Kent Police has undertaken.

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Closing address

 Register

To register for Cellmark's Sexual Offences Conference 2024 please click the link to sign up via Eventbrite. Please note that due to the sensitive nature of content at this event, registration is only open to police, forensic health practitioners, prosecutors and other relevant professionals.

Please email any questions to training@cellmark.co.uk.

For our terms & conditions please click here.

Getting There

 

Parking is available on site for all delegates. 

Located just outside Birmingham City Centre, the stadium has lots of transport links from both the north and south, with easy access from M6 and M42. The car park is accessible off Pershore Road.

Postcode: B5 7QU or what3words: oven.senses.wedge

 

Birmingham New Street Station is less than 2 miles away, or 15 minutes by bus. This is the main rail hub for the city with connections from all over the country.

 

National Express run a regular bus service (45 & 47) from the station to Pershore Road which is a 2-minute walk to the ground.