Professor Denise Syndercombe Court

Biography

Scientist, geneticist, statistician, academic, editor and published author of peer reviewed scientific publications.  Editor and author of the award-winning textbook ‘Medical Science’.  Trained in systematic reviews and evidence-based approaches to medical and scientific publications. Is the Professor of Forensic Genetics at King’s College London, a Chartered Scientist and a Chartered Biologist, and is a member or fellow of a number of professional bodies: Academy of Forensic Medical Sciences; Biochemical Society; British Academy of Forensic Sciences; Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences; Institute of Biological and Medical Sciences; International Society for Forensic Genetics; International Society of Blood Pattern Analysts; Royal College of Pathologists Faculty of Forensic and Legal Medicine; Royal Society of Biology; and the Royal Statistical Society.  Has more than thirty years of experience in scientific research, forensic evidence examination and DNA interpretation with a sound knowledge of the civil and criminal justice process, including court presentation as an expert witness.  She manages an ISO17025 accredited laboratory specialising in complex kinship and specialist DNA analysis for police forces.  Denise is the UK representative on the European DNA Profiling Group and the International Society of Forensic Genetics representative on the Forensic Regulator’s DNA Working Group.   Her research interests are in the use of DNA in complex and limited matrices, both human and non-human, for intelligence purposes.  As a member of the European Forensic Genetics Network of Excellence was joint leader of the ethics and law work package and has since become a member of the Home Office Biometric and Forensic Ethics Group.  Has an active interest in promoting science, and especially the use of DNA in justice to a wider audience via television, radio and external lectures.