Wider role of forensics in crime prevention as well as detection, for example in safeguarding.

Background

Crimes such as homicide and theft, and drugs such as heroin and cocaine have always been of public concern, and there has been a recent focus on areas such as child sexual abuse, modern slavery, new psychoactive substances, online fraud, and online indecent images of children.

Next steps

Get in touch with research@homeoffice.gov.uk

Source

This question was published as part of the set of ARIs in this document:

Areas of research interest relevant to the Home Office GOVUK

Related UKRI funded projects


  • Natural Traces: Natural Traces in forensic investigations - how the analysis of non-human evidence can solve crime

    Literally any crime scene contains animal, plant, soil, microbial or environmental traces. Examples include pet hairs or saliva, pollen and algae, soil and soil organisms like bacteria or nematodes, fungal spores, insect...

    Funded by: Horizon Europe Guarantee

    Lead research organisation: University of Reading

    Why might this be relevant?

    The project focuses on the role of forensics in crime prevention and detection through the analysis of non-human biological traces, aligning with the wider role of forensics in safeguarding.

  • BlindSite: Blood, Lipid and Illicit Narcotics Detection and Situation

    After a serious crime such as murder, physical or sexual assault, crime scenes are forensically examined for body fluids such as blood, saliva, sweat and semen; however, the detection and visualisation of such physical e...

    Funded by: Innovate UK

    Lead research organisation: SMYTEC

    Why might this be relevant?

    The project aims to develop a technology to improve the accuracy and efficiency of crime scene evaluation, which is directly related to the wider role of forensics in crime prevention and detection.

  • NEXUS: Next-generation Evidence eXamination Underpinned by Semantics — A First-of-a-kind AI Platform for Digital Forensics Investigations

    The police face an uphill struggle against criminals. This struggle is aggravated by globalisation and the widespread availability and increasing capabilities of the Internet, and the mass market for digital technology, ...

    Funded by: Innovate UK

    Lead research organisation: SEMANTICS 21 LTD

    Why might this be relevant?

    The project aims to deliver a configurable software platform for digital forensics investigations, which partially addresses the market need for better tools in investigating crimes such as child sexual abuse and serious organized crime.

  • Loughborough University and Foster & Freeman Limited

    To develop a probe capable of identifying forensically pertinent samples at crime scenes and indicating their approx age (the in-situ probe). Once commercialised, the device will not only enhance investigators’ capabilit...

    Funded by: Innovate UK

    Lead research organisation: LOUGHBOROUGH UNIVERSITY

    Why might this be relevant?

    The project aims to develop a probe capable of identifying forensically pertinent samples at crime scenes, but it does not directly address the wider role of forensics in crime prevention and detection.

  • Towards a Smart Digital Forensic Advisor to Support First Responders with At-Scene Triage of Digital Evidence Across Crime Types

    Over 90% of reported crime involves a digital device, and the increased use of digital devices in criminality has resulted in significant backlogs within the departments that forensically examine these devices. Despite t...

    Funded by: ESRC

    Lead research organisation: University College London

  • Understanding the Use of Digital Forensics in Policing in England and Wales: An Ethnographic Analysis of Current Practices and Professional Dynamics

    Digital evidence can reveal a suspect's intent to commit an offence and help establish when events occurred, where victims and suspects were and with whom they communicated. It has been increasingly used in examinations ...

    Funded by: ESRC

    Lead research organisation: UNIVERSITY OF EXETER

  • The evaluation of evidence in the form of multivariate data and in the absence of population data

    Often in the investigation of a crime and in any subsequent trial it is necessary to evaluate so-called trace evidence. Trace evidence is, in a circular definition, evidence which is in the form of traces. Traces may inc...

    Funded by: EPSRC

    Lead research organisation: University of Edinburgh

    Why might this be relevant?

    Addresses the evaluation of evidence in crime investigation and trial, including trace evidence and DNA profiling.

  • Clarus: Building clarity and preventing bias in digital forensic examination, interorganisational communication and interaction

    Clarusis a multidisciplinary and multi-organisational consortium comprised of 6 academic research organisations; 4 forensic and 3 police agencies (LEAs) from 6 European member states and associated countries. Clarus will...

    Funded by: Horizon Europe Guarantee

    Lead research organisation: UNIVERSITY OF DUNDEE

  • Quantifying Digital Forensic Investigations and their Evidence

    With the growth of the world-wide web (WWW), there has been a corresponding growth in crimes that use the WWW. Specialist law enforcement investigators are ever more frequently required to examine PCs, laptops, mobile ph...

    Funded by: EPSRC

    Lead research organisation: King's College London

    Why might this be relevant?

    Focuses on quantifying digital forensic investigations and evidence, addressing issues of backlog and alternative explanations.

  • Teesside University and Acume Forensics Limited

    To develop a cross platform Evidence Exploration System that automatically ingests, stores and searches civil and criminal law evidence bundles for review and disclosure securely and accurately using artificial intellige...

    Funded by: Innovate UK

    Lead research organisation: TEESSIDE UNIVERSITY

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