Dr Aaron Amankwaa

Assistant Professor

School: Geography and Natural Sciences

Read our REF2021 impact case study here: Ensuring robust and flexible protections against the use of biometric data.

Aaron is an Assistant Professor of Forensic Biology and Forensic Science Policy with expertise in body fluids, DNA, DNA Databases & Biometrics. Aaron has an academic background in biochemistry and forensic biology, with research and teaching experience in forensic biology, DNA profiling and forensic DNA legislation/ policy. Aaron's academic portfolio includes leadership of the MSc Forensic Science programme at Northumbria University, Quality Lead for CSFS accreditation of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, module leadership and teaching in forensic biology, genetics and police investigations.

Through his research and policy work, Aaron has contributed oral and written evidence and reviewed policy reports on forensic biometrics for several groups and agencies including the Scottish Independent Advisory Group on Biometrics, Forensic Genetics Policy Initiative, the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology, the Office of the Biometrics Commissioner and the New Zealand Law Commission.

Aaron's current research in forensic science policy is focused on developing flexible and research-informed legislative frameworks and policies for the use of forensic DNA in African countries and the use of genetic genealogy databases. His research in forensic biology focuses primarily on tests for detection of body fluids and persistence of body fluids. Aaron has also worked on Northumbria Police commissioned evaluations on out-of-court disposals.

Aaron holds a BSc in Biochemistry (2013) from KNUST, Ghana; an MSc in Forensic Science (2015) from the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow (funded by the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship); and a PhD in Forensic DNA databases (2019) from Northumbria University (funded by Northumbria Research Studentship). Aaron is a Member of the Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences (CSFS) and a Fellow of AdvanceHE.

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Research Themes and Scholarly Interests

Aaron's research is multi- and inter-disciplinary, spanning forensic science, law, and policing, with a clear policy-impact focus. His primary research covers the following key themes:

Regulation of forensic DNA & biometric databases;
Persistence of body fluids;
Development of online tools for teaching forensic science practical techniques (Forensic vLabs);
Development and evaluation of crime reduction initiatives and tools.

Key Publications

Please visit the Pure Research Information Portal for further information
Enhancing bloodstain visibility on dark surfaces: Specificity and sensitivity of infrared photography for detecting bloodstains, Ellis, C., Davidson, A., Lewis, J., Amankwaa, A. 1 Oct 2025, In: Forensic Science International
Humanitarian Forensics: Stakeholder perspectives on the use of international kinship matching DNA databases, Amankwaa, A., Kupculáková, B., Randall, K. Nov 2025, In: Journal of Forensic and Legal Medicine
Preliminary Evaluation of the Gut Microbiota Modulatory Potential of Malaysian Kefir Water in Ageing Mice, Rajah Kumar, M., Amankwaa, A., Razali, N., Mohamad, N., Khalid, M., Abdullah, J., Masarudin, M., Osman, M., Rahman, N., Alitheen, N. 11 Nov 2025, In: Foods
Should the police use genetic genealogy databases to assist in solving crime? Survey among university students, Marlor, H., Randall, K., Amankwaa, A. 1 Sep 2025, In: Forensic Science International: Genetics
The persistence of bloodstains on buried fabrics and robustness of the leucomalachite green test in detecting aged bloodstains on buried fabrics, Russell, C., Amankwaa, A. 1 May 2025, In: Forensic Science International
4th DNA Forensic Symposium: Challenges and future directions in Africa, Smith, J., Lynch, V., Amankwaa, A., Budowle, B., Fonseca, S., Shako, S., Molefe, I. 18 Sep 2024, In: Forensic Science International: Synergy
Forensic Evidence Processing in Gender-Based Violence Cases: Handbook for Criminal Justice Practitioners, Amankwaa, A., Wessels, J., McNevin, A., Langley, A., Budowle, B., Bonsu, D., Martin, D., Nsiah Amoako, E., Makasa, I., Watherston, J., Amankwa Addo, J., Heathfield, L., Brodie, N., Green, R., Otto, S., Kumar, S., Lynch, V. 16 May 2024
Should the Police Use Genetic Genealogy Databases to Assist in Solving Crime? Survey Among University Students., Marlor, H., Randall, K., Amankwaa, A. 24 Jun 2024
Streamlining out-of-court disposals:: Assessing the impact on reoffending and police practice, Rowe, M., Amankwaa, A., Biddle, P., Bengtsson, L. 1 Feb 2024, In: Criminology and Criminal Justice
Developing a virtual laboratory module for forensic science degree programmes, Amankwaa, A., Gjergo, V., Hamagareb, S. 1 May 2023, In: Science & Justice

Professional Activity

Please visit the Pure Research Information Portal for further information
Invited talk: Forensic Science Policy 2025
Consultancy: Response to Justice Bill (Northern Ireland) 2025
Invited talk: The Wheel of Regulation: From standard forensic intelligence DNA databases to forensic investigative genetic genealogy 2024
Participating in a conference, workshop, ...: 4th Forensic DNA Symposium 2024
Organising a conference, workshop, ...: Research Handbook on Forensic Science & Criminal Justice 2024
Participating in a conference, workshop, ...: Scottish Biometrics Commissioner's Comparative Research Meeting 2024
Organising a conference, workshop, ...: Workshop on the Handbook on DNA Evidence Processing In Gender-Based Violence Cases for Criminal Justice Practitioners 2024
Invited talk: Forensic vLABs: Leveraging virtual labs in a post-COVID world 2023
Invited talk: The Development of DNA policy in Africa. 2023
Invited talk: Developing a Forensic DNA Legislative Framework & Policy for Africa 2023

PGR Supervision

Barbora Kupculáková Developing an International Legal Framework for the Use of Genealogy Databases in Criminal Investigations Start Date: 01/10/2024
Barbora Kupculáková Developing an International Legal Framework for the Use of Genealogy Databases in Criminal Investigations Start Date: 01/10/2024 End Date: 17/10/2025

Further Information

Inquiries are welcome on self-funded PhD projects on the above research themes. International students and professionals who are interested in pursuing postgraduate studies in Forensic Science at Northumbria University may apply for the following scholarships/fellowships if they are eligible.

PhD

Commonwealth PhD Scholarships (for least developed countries and fragile states) (3 Years PhD)

Commonwealth Split-site Scholarships (for low and middle-income countries) (12 Months Research as part of a PhD in home country)

Masters

Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships (12 Months Masters)

Chevening Scholarships (12 Months Masters)