Rebecca Walton

Biography

I obtained a First Class with Honours Forensic Science and Criminology degree at Keele University in 2014 and then a Postgraduate Certificate in Analytical Science for Industry from Keele University in 2016.

In 2016 I started work for Eurofins Forensics Sciences as a Junior Forensic Examiner in Marks and Traces and was promoted to Forensic Examiner within 12 months. I worked on many criminal cases focusing on multiple types of marks and trace evidence including gunshot residue, glass, fibres, footwear, noxious substances and chemical damage as well as DNA collection. An example of a case I worked on can be seen in this article:- https://news.met.police.uk/news/south-london-rapper-convicted-of-possessing-loaded-revolver-459877?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=Subscription&utm_content=current_news

In 2022 I started work as a Senior Demonstrator in Forensic Science at Keele University. I primarily assist in running, organising, delivering, and assessing practical classes on the Forensic Science programmes. I deliver practical sessions to assist in the learning and development of students. I demonstrate many specialised forensic techniques and equipment, whilst also delivering knowledge on health and safety within a laboratory environment.

Teaching

Year 1

• FSC-10001: Forensic Science Skills and Practice
• FSC-10003: Forensic Chemistry and Analysis
• FSC-10005: Forensic Identification and Investigation

Year 2

• FSC-20001: Criminalistic Methods
• FSC-20003: Forensic Genetics
• FSC-20005: Spectroscopy and Advanced Analysis
• FSC-20007: Forensic Anthropology and Taphonomy
• FSC-20009: Drugs of Abuse
• FSC-20011: Counterfeits, Fakes and Forgeries

Year 3

• FSC-30005: Interpretation, Evaluation and Presentation of Evidence
• FSC-30007: Evaluation of Evidence, Explosives and Arson
• FSC-30013: Forensic Geoscience
• FSC-30015: Forensic Science Team Research Project
• FSC-30019: Advanced Topics in Forensic Analysis

Year 4

• FSC-40007: Forensic Evidence: At the Crime Scene and in the Court

Analytical equipment

Proficient in many types of specialised equipment including (not limited to): -

• SEM-EDX (Scanning Electron Microscopy with Energy Dispersive X-ray Analysis)
• GRIM systems (Glass Refractive Index Measurement)
• Microscopy
• Comparison Microscopy
• PLM (Polarised Light Microscopy)
• FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy)
• UV-Visible spectroscopy (Ultra Violet)
• MSP (Microspectrophotometry)
• VSC (Video Spectral Comparator)
• ESLA (Electrostatic lifting Apparatus)
• ESDA (Electrostatic Detection Apparatus)

Outreach

I assist in the delivery of outreach programmes to help to engage young people in science, particularly focusing on forensic science. I help to deliver sessions on fingerprinting, footwear analysis, anthropology, and many other areas. I assist in the work experience opportunities available to school students within forensic science including designing a full case scenario for work experience students to work through.