Politician and first President of Israel, Chaim Wiezmann is less well known for his work on the acetone-butanol fermentation process, but this in fact, is one of the earliest examples of what came to be known as 'Biotechnology' - technology based on Biology, involving the exploitation of living organsisms and biological processes. The aim of Biotechnology is to improve agriculture, animal husbandry, food science, medicine and industry, and in this podcast, I'll be discussing 4 key examples and highlighting the roles that microorganisms play.  

In this high tech world of DNA fingerprinting, computerised bloodstain spatter analysis, and video imaging, one might say that it seems a little mundane to discuss something as simple as shoe print analysis. Interestingly, footprints are the third most common type of evidence found at a crime scene.  It is imperative, therefore, that the detection and recovery of footwear evidence, subsequent process of enhancement, production of known impressions via casting and comparison with crime scene impressions are carried out with the utmost level of care. 

According to Age UK, more than 2 million people in England over the age of 75 live alone, and more than a million older people say they go for over a month without speaking to a friend, neighbour or family member. In this extended podcast, I discuss how inter-generational learning programmes have been able to bridge the age divide between the elderly and the very young. Moreover, it will serve to highlight the significant benefits they have provided in respect to physical and mental well-being in this vulnerable population. (With thanks to Isobel C for conducting the research and providing the content for this podcast)

Forensic Scientist Georg Popp is credited with being the first to use soil evidence to solve a crime; the 1904 murder of Eva Disch. Since then, forensic analyses of soil samples have been able to identify victims of mass killings, the location of grave sites and place perpetrators at scenes of crime. 

According to recent research, facial expressions do not reveal our emotions, but instead, our intentions and social goals. It is possible to hide behind them, however? Can we learn to read body language to detect deception? In this podcast, I’ll discuss the work of prominent figures in the field, namely Eckman, Nevarro, Freud and Nietzsche to help explore this idea.

In this podcast, I describe the various techniques employed, including mass spectrometry to confirm aspirin toxicity. Toxicology is the study of poisons and the detection of foreign substances in the body that can have a toxic effect such as illicit and legal drugs, industrial chemicals and poisonous gases. Forensic toxicology is the use of toxicology and disciplines such as analytical chemistry, pharmacology and clinical chemistry to aid medical or legal investigation of death, poisoning, and drug use.

Every person’s handwriting is unique and personalised. It is difficult to disguise or forge, but analysis can provide a useful tool in forensics in excluding persons when determining a match between known material. In this podcast, I outline the characteristics that experts look for in a handwritten sample, with reference to evidence seized in a number of high profile cases, including the 'Lipstick Killer' William George Heirens and Jack The Ripper. 

Tool marks refer to cuts, gouges or abrasions caused by tools or other such instruments. They can leave striations on softer surfaces that match marks on the surface of the tool, and in this podcast, I will discuss the forensic significance that such marks may have.