Targeting knife crime: A Forensic Scientist's perspective
By Leisa Nichols-Drew, 2021
Fellow’s Profile
Fellow’s Profile
Targeting knife crime: a forensic scientist's perspective
Investigating forensic best practice for knife crime investigations
2018
East of England
I am a chartered forensic practitioner and an associate professor in forensic science at De Montfort University in Leicester. I applied for my Churchill Fellowship to help make a difference to the UK knife crime situation. This has given me the unique opportunity to use my practitioner background in applying my Report recommendations to undertake a rounded knife research study, leading to my first ever peer-reviewed journal article (published in Science and Justice, November 2020) demonstrating a safer knife alternative.
I have disseminated this work via a TEDx talk, a live appearance on BBC Crimewatch Roadshow Live and numerous conference presentations. I was also honoured to join with seven inspirational Churchill Fellows from the UK's criminal justice system in facilitating our online conference event in December 2020.
Personally, the Fellowship gave me self-belief to make a difference in aiding crime detection and prevention.
By Leisa Nichols-Drew, 2021
Forensic scientist Leisa Nichols-Drew (CF 2018) presented her Fellowship findings at the European Academy of Forensic Sciences (EAFS) 2022 triennial symposium in Stockholm this month. Leisa’s Fellowship explored forensic science approaches to knife crime investigations.
By Leisa Nichols-Drew, 2022
Forensic scientist Leisa Nichols-Drew (CF 2018) appeared on Crimewatch (BBC1) on 16 March to discuss her recent research on preventing knife crime. Leisa carried out the research following findings gathered during her Fellowship, which explored forensic science approaches to knife crime investigations.
By Leisa Nichols-Drew, 2021
Forensic scientist Leisa Nichols-Drew (CF 2018) presented at a knife crime prevention event organised by Westminster Insight on 17 January. Leisa shared findings from her Fellowship, which explored forensic science approaches to knife crime investigations.
By Leisa Nichols-Drew, 2021
Forensic scientist Leisa Nichols-Drew (CF 2018) has published research on preventing knife crime in the peer-reviewed journal Science & Justice. Leisa carried out the research following findings gathered during her Fellowship in 2018 when she travelled to Australia and Canada.
By Leisa Nichols-Drew, 2020
All Reports are copyright © the author. The moral right of the author has been asserted. The views and opinions expressed by any Fellow are those of the Fellow and not of the Churchill Fellowship or its partners, which have no responsibility or liability for any part of them.
By Leisa Nichols-Drew, 2021
Forensic scientist Leisa Nichols-Drew (CF 2018) presented her Fellowship findings at the European Academy of Forensic Sciences (EAFS) 2022 triennial symposium in Stockholm this month. Leisa’s Fellowship explored forensic science approaches to knife crime investigations.
By Leisa Nichols-Drew, 2022
Forensic scientist Leisa Nichols-Drew (CF 2018) appeared on Crimewatch (BBC1) on 16 March to discuss her recent research on preventing knife crime. Leisa carried out the research following findings gathered during her Fellowship, which explored forensic science approaches to knife crime investigations.
By Leisa Nichols-Drew, 2021
Forensic scientist Leisa Nichols-Drew (CF 2018) presented at a knife crime prevention event organised by Westminster Insight on 17 January. Leisa shared findings from her Fellowship, which explored forensic science approaches to knife crime investigations.
By Leisa Nichols-Drew, 2021
Forensic scientist Leisa Nichols-Drew (CF 2018) has published research on preventing knife crime in the peer-reviewed journal Science & Justice. Leisa carried out the research following findings gathered during her Fellowship in 2018 when she travelled to Australia and Canada.
By Leisa Nichols-Drew, 2020
All Reports are copyright © the author. The moral right of the author has been asserted. The views and opinions expressed by any Fellow are those of the Fellow and not of the Churchill Fellowship or its partners, which have no responsibility or liability for any part of them.