Chamberlain case re-examined

It's going to be interesting to read the reports from the new inquest.

About me

I studied materials science at Sunderland Polytechnic, and was awarded a PhD from Birmingham University. I've worked for the MoD (Colchester, UK), Imperial College (London, UK), Otago University (New Zealand) and now work for Cranfield University (2009ff).

My interest in forensic textile science started when I worked at Otago University in the Clothing and Textile Sciences department (2001-2009). I have supervised a number of Masters' candidates who have researched different aspects of forensic textile science: 

• J. Mitchell, Degradation of buried apparel fabrics, MSc Forensic Archaeology and Anthropology
• T. Nickson, Interaction of blood and apparel fabrics, MSc Forensic Archaeology and Anthropology
• D. Thomas, Variability of bullets used to test police body armour, MSc Forensic Ballistics
• T. De Casto, Interaction of blood and apparel fabrics, MSc Forensic Investigation
• A. Wainwright, Comparing simulants for stab testing, MSc Forensic Engineering and Science
• T. Dann, Effect of knicker fabric age on tearing morphology, MSc Clothing and Textile Sciences 
• F. Y. Daroux, Impact damage and degradation of apparel fabrics, MSc Clothing and Textile Sciences 
• S. E. Kemp, Damage to apparel fabrics by sharp objects, MSc Clothing and Textile Sciences

A number of papers have been published based on these Masters' theses; others are still being written, or are under review:

• Dann, T. J., Carr, D. J., Laing, R. M., Niven, B. E. & Kieser, J. (2011). Tearing of knicker fabrics. Forensic Science International available on-line doi:10.1016/j.forsciint.2011.10.029
• Carr, D. J. & Wainwright, A. (2011). Variability of simulants used in the recreation of stabbings. Forensic Science International 210(1-3): 42-46
• Daroux, F. Y., Carr, D. J., Kieser, J., Niven, B. E. & Taylor, M. C. (2010). Effect of laundering on blunt force impact damage in fabrics. Forensic Science International 197(1): 21-29
• Kemp, S. E., Carr, D. J., Keiser, J. Niven. B. E. & Taylor, M. (2009). Forensic evidence in apparel fabrics due to stab events. Forensic Science International 191(1): 86-96

This blog is about my Winston Churchill Travelling Fellowship for 2012 from The Winston Churchill Memorial Trust; I will be visiting colleagues in Australia and New Zealand and conducting research with them. As my plans are confirmed I will post them. I cannot express how grateful I am to receive a WCTF, I was thrilled to be called for interview and didn't really expect to be awarded a Fellowship.