Sue Shemilt

Biography

I obtained my First Class BSc degree in Chemistry and Forensic Science from Keele in 2008, following this I was appointed for three years as a research assistant at Keele University’s Chemical Ecology group. During this time, I worked on a research project as part of a grant focusing on the cuticular hydrocarbons of the ant species Formica exsecta.

In 2011 I was appointed as a full-time forensic science teaching fellow. In 2013 I took a brief hiatus from teaching to start my PhD in Analytical Chemistry, working towards the completion of my thesis titled 'An investigation into the biosynthesis of cuticular hydrocarbons in British ants using isotopically labelled diets and gas chromatography - mass spectrometry.' I came back to teaching in 2014 and completed my PhD in 2021. As a lecturer in Forensic Science, I specialise in teaching chemical analysis, and photography and imaging techniques, as well as the detection of blood on different substrates.

Research and scholarship

My research interests are focused on two areas. Within the field of analytical chemistry, I have been an active researcher in the chemical ecology field, specifically in the analysis of cuticular hydrocarbons, and I have assisted research efforts within a variety of projects. My PhD further explored this area, focusing on feeding experiments which utilised isotopically labelled substrates to track whether certain compounds are used in the biosynthesis of cuticular hydrocarbons.

In the field of forensic science my research interests are in the use of chemiluminescent reagents and imaging techniques to identify areas of latent blood staining on clothing and other substrates, such as outdoor environments.

Teaching

First year

• FSC-10001 – Forensic Skills & Practice Module Lead
• FSC-10005 – Forensic Identification & Investigation

Second year

• FSC-20001 – Criminalistic Methods
• FSC-20005 – Spectroscopy & Advanced Analysis
• FSC-20011 – Counterfeits, Forgeries & Fakes

Third year

• FSC-30005 – Interpretation, Evaluation & Presentation of Evidence
• FSC-30009 – Forensic Dissertation
• FSC-30015 – Forensic Science Team Research Project

Fourth year

• FSC-40011 – MSci Independent Project