Leading academic elected President of international professional body

A leading academic at Northumbria University, Newcastle has been appointed President of the Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences.

Martin Evison, Professor of Forensic Science at Northumbria University and leader of the University's Forensic Science Unit, was elected to the prestigious position by members of the Society.

Originally founded as the Forensic Science Society in 1959 the Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences is an internationally recognised professional body for forensic practice with almost 3,000 members in over 60 countries.

The Society's aim is to advance the study, application and standing of forensic science and to facilitate co-operation among persons interested in forensic science throughout the world.

Martin joined Northumbria in September 2010 from the University of Toronto, Canada, where he was Director of the Forensic Science Program. At Northumbria Martin leads a group which undertakes inter-disciplinary research with leading national and international partners. He has worked with leading organisations in the sector, including the Home Office, Royal Military Police Special Investigation Branch, Western Australia Police, the United Nations Mission in Kosovo and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (United States).

During his career Martin has given expert evidence on forensic archaeology and anthropology, facial identification and the potential for innocent transfer of DNA; and contributed to human rights abuse investigations in Africa, Latin America, the Middle East and the Balkans.

Martin graduated in Genetics from the University of Newcastle Upon Tyne in 1982. Following postgraduate study and travel in New Zealand and Australia, he completed six years of professional employment in computing working in local government, finance, distribution and manufacturing. He returned to academia in 1992, completing an MSc in Environmental Archaeology and a PhD in Ancient DNA at Sheffield University, where he joined the Department of Forensic Pathology. There he joined a research project in computerised forensic facial reconstruction, where he developed early Internet-based visualisation models. He also established a research group in human identification.

Joining the Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences in 1998 Martin became a Fellow in 2014. He will serve two years as President.

Commenting on his appointment, Martin said: "I am honoured to take on this role. I will use my time as President to continue the Society's commitment to education and training, and research and development, and support for a range of programmes for accreditation and regulation. Forensic science remains popular as a science with a very important social role, and it is crucial we capitalise on this level of interest and continue to expect the highest standards in the profession and in Higher Education.

"I hope that during my time as President I will be able to share the expertise of many talented practitioners and academics within forensic science leading to even further advancements in the field.

Dr St John Usher, Head of Department for Applied Sciences at Northumbria University, said: "We are delighted at Martin's appointment. Northumbria University has a reputation for academic excellence, pioneering teaching and international research, and has been recognised as one of the fastest risers amongst UK universities in research power. As a member of the departmental professoriate, Martin plays a key role in what the University is try to achieve going forward and his credentials make him the ideal candidate for the role of President. I know that members of the Society will benefit from his expertise, knowledge and passion for forensic science.

For more information about courses on forensic science at Northumbria University visit www.northumbria.ac.uk