Today, there is no national facility that provides the CJS with the means to effectively manage the expansion and evolution of crime with a digital dimension. This group believes there is a real need and opportunity to realign professional bodies, governance, research and public institutions in a more unified way to support law enforcement agencies and the justice system as well as provide training and upskilling of the workforce in a systematic way.
Digital Forensics comprises the fastest growing discipline in forensic science and demand is growing for a dedicated, independent response across England & Wales, that is based on an unquestionably stable foundation and can be networked to enable intelligence to be shared across borders, where there is a legal basis to do so. In uncertain times, public confidence in our established institutions, law, order, and policing are imperative - all of which rely upon professional, accurate and unbiased forensic science. With digital forensics increasing its profile year on year, a focused initiative is needed to help police forces cope.
The Digital Forensics & Cybercrime group seeks to complement the work of the Transforming Forensics Programme and Forensic Capability Network (FCN) to support policy development and provide national guidance based on the latest technology. Of immediate concern is timely and effective use of forensic evidence, science, and digital technology to improve criminal justice outcomes.
Projects will take a multi-disciplinary, collaborative approach to identifying and evaluating interventions to improve the collection, analysis, and interpretation of evidence in a manner that maintains the trust of the complainant, to rapidly eliminate the innocent from enquiries and secure reliable evidence to enable charges to be brought where possible.
Group leads
Professor of Practice for Forensic Science Policy and Regulation
Professor of Forensic Genetics
Visiting Professor