I hold a BSc (Hons) in Forensic Biology and an MSc in Analytical and Forensic Science, and I am currently undertaking a PhD in Criminology. My doctoral research critically explores the sensemaking and decision-making processes of Crime Scene Investigators (CSIs) during sudden and suspicious death investigations.

I began my forensic career as a forensic DNA analyst with Cellmark Forensic Services, where I worked within the laboratory processing casework samples and generating DNA profiles to support criminal investigations. I later joined South Wales Police as a Crime Scene Investigator, gaining operational experience across a broad range of scenes, from criminal damage to homicides.

In higher education, I have taught on the Professional Policing Degree at Cardiff Metropolitan University, delivering forensic content to policing students. I am currently a Lecturer in Forensic Science, where I teach primarily on Crime Scene Investigation modules and the Criminal Investigation module, with a focus on the role and contribution of CSIs within investigative practice.

My research centres on the role of Crime Scene Investigators (CSIs) within investigative practice, with a particular focus on how they contribute to the interpretation and investigation of sudden and suspicious deaths. My PhD, A Critical Evaluation of the Sensemaking of Crime Scene Investigators Examining Sudden and Suspicious Deaths, explores how CSIs make sense of ambiguous and often uncertain information, and how this informs their decision-making at the scene.

I am interested in the wider utilisation of CSIs in investigative contexts, the cognitive and organisational factors that influence their judgments, and the ways in which their contributions shape the early direction of investigations. My work also critically examines how death is investigated in England and Wales, and how the responsibilities of CSIs intersect with those of other key actors within the criminal justice system.

In addition, I have a growing interest in the mental wellbeing of CSIs and other investigative professionals, particularly in relation to repeated exposure to trauma, high-stakes decision-making, and institutional pressures.

My teaching interests span several key areas of forensic and investigative practice, including Crime Scene Investigation, Death Investigation, Cognitive Bias and Decision Making, and Miscarriages of Justice. I am particularly focused on how practitioners make sense of complex and often ambiguous scenes, and how cognitive and contextual factors influence investigative decision-making.

I take a research-informed and practice-led approach to teaching, drawing on real-world case examples and contemporary issues within the criminal justice system. My sessions are designed to develop students’ critical thinking, reflective practice, and applied forensic skills. I am especially committed to helping students understand the wider impact of forensic and investigative decisions, including the consequences of error and the importance of maintaining investigative integrity throughout the process.