Dr Nicholas Dawnay
Faculty: Faculty of Science
Email address: N.M.Dawnay@ljmu.ac.uk
Telephone: 0151 231 2485
Biography
My career to date has focussed on the development and characterisation of novel biotechnology, innovative assays and products for use in the field of forensic science. My research is multidisciplinary and covers areas from human identity testing, genetics and food authentication. Many of the techniques and methods I have developed are currently used by government and industry scientists at a National and International level. I am currently employed at LJMU, where I teach molecular forensics at the undergraduate and postgraduate level.
Degrees
2003, Bangor University, United Kingdom, MSc Ecology
2002, Bangor University, United Kingdom, BSc
Bangor University, United Kingdom, PhD
Academic appointments
Senior Lecturer, LJMU, 2015 - present
Postgraduate training
Method Validation Course, United Kingdom, LGC, ? - present
Design of Experiment Course, United Kingdom, LGC, ? - present
Publications
Journal article
Dawnay L, Flamson R, Dawnay N. 2018. Expanded and mega-plex STR panels as a tool for presumptive population assignment Forensic Science and Criminology, 3 :1-7 >DOI >Link
Morrison J, Watts G, Hobbs G, Dawnay N. 2018. Field-based detection of biological samples for forensic analysis: Established techniques, novel tools, and future innovations Forensic Science International, 285 :147-160 >DOI
Stafford-Allen B, Dawnay N, Hanson EK, Ball G, Gupta A, Blackman S, French DJ, Duxbury N, Ballantyne J, Wells S. 2018. Development of HyBeacon (R) probes for specific mRNA detection using body fluids as a model system MOLECULAR AND CELLULAR PROBES, 38 :51-59 >DOI >Link
Dawnay N, Duxbury N, Hughes R, Court DS. 2016. Species detection using HyBeacon® probe technology: Working towards rapid onsite testing in non-human forensic and food authentication applications Forensic Science International: Genetics, 20 :103-111 >DOI
Tribble ND, Miller JAD, Dawnay N, Duxbury NJ. 2015. Applicability of the ParaDNA (R) Screening System to Seminal Samples JOURNAL OF FORENSIC SCIENCES, 60 :690-692 >DOI >Link
Ball G, Dawnay N, Stafford-Allen B, Panasiuk M, Rendell P, Blackman S, Duxbury N, Wells S. 2015. Concordance study between the ParaDNA (R) Intelligence Test, a Rapid DNA profiling assay, and a conventional STR typing kit (AmpFlSTR (R) SGM Plus (R)) FORENSIC SCIENCE INTERNATIONAL-GENETICS, 16 :48-57 >DOI >Link
Donachie GE, Dawnay N, Ahmed R, Naif S, Duxbury NJ, Tribble ND. 2015. Assessing the impact of common forensic presumptive tests on the ability to obtain results using a novel rapid DNA platform FORENSIC SCIENCE INTERNATIONAL-GENETICS, 17 :87-90 >DOI >Link
Blackman S, Dawnay N, Ball G, Stafford-Allen B, Tribble N, Rendell P, Neary K, Hanson EK, Ballantyne J, Kallifatidis B, Mendel J, Mills DK, Wells S. 2015. Developmental validation of the ParaDNA (R) Intelligence System-A novel approach to DNA profiling FORENSIC SCIENCE INTERNATIONAL-GENETICS, 17 :137-148 >DOI >Link
Dawnay N, Ahmed R, Naif S. 2014. The ParaDNA (R) Screening System - A case study in bringing forensic R&D to market SCIENCE & JUSTICE, 54 :481-486 >DOI >Link
Dawnay N, Stafford-Allen B, Moore D, Blackman S, Rendell P, Hanson EK, Ballantyne J, Kallifatidis B, Mendel J, Mills DK, Nagy R, Wells S. 2014. Developmental Validation of the ParaDNA (R) Screening System - A presumptive test for the detection of DNA on forensic evidence items FORENSIC SCIENCE INTERNATIONAL-GENETICS, 11 :73-79 >DOI >Link
Dawnay N, Dawnay L, Hughes RN, Cove R, Taylor MI. 2011. Substantial genetic structure among stocked and native populations of the European grayling (Thymallus thymallus, Salmonidae) in the United Kingdom CONSERVATION GENETICS, 12 :731-744 >DOI >Link
Ogden R, Dawnay N, McEwing R. 2009. Wildlife DNA forensics - Bridging the gap between conservation genetics and law enforcement Endangered Species Research, 9 :179-195 >DOI
Dawnay N, Ogden R, Wetton JH, Thorpe RS, McEwing R. 2009. Genetic data from 28 STR loci for forensic individual identification and parentage analyses in 6 bird of prey species FORENSIC SCIENCE INTERNATIONAL-GENETICS, 3 :E63-E69 >DOI >Link
Ogden R, Dawnay N, McEwing R. 2008. Development of STR profiling systems for individual identification in wildlife: A case study of the Eurasian badger, Meles meles Forensic Science International: Genetics Supplement Series, 1 :612-613 >DOI
Dawnay N, McEwing R, Thorpe RS, Ogden R. 2008. Preliminary data suggests genetic distinctiveness of gyr and saker falcons CONSERVATION GENETICS, 9 :703-707 >DOI >Link
Dawnay N, Ogden R, Thorpe RS, Pope LC, Dawson DA, McEwing R. 2008. A forensic STR profiling system for the Eurasian badger: A framework for developing profiling systems for wildlife species FORENSIC SCIENCE INTERNATIONAL-GENETICS, 2 :47-53 >DOI >Link
Dingemanse NJ, Wright J, Kazem AJN, Thomas DK, Hickling R, Dawnay N. 2007. Behavioural syndromes differ predictably between 12 populations of three-spined stickleback JOURNAL OF ANIMAL ECOLOGY, 76 :1128-1138 >DOI >Link
Dawnay N, Ogden R, McEwing R, Carvalho GR, Thorpe RS. 2007. Validation of the barcoding gene COI for use in forensic genetic species identification FORENSIC SCIENCE INTERNATIONAL, 173 :1-6 >DOI >Link
Walling CA, Dawnay N, Kazem AJN, Wright J. 2004. Predator inspection behaviour in three-spined sticklebacks (Gasterosteus aculeatus): body size, local predation pressure and cooperation BEHAVIORAL ECOLOGY AND SOCIOBIOLOGY, 56 :164-170 >DOI >Link
Walling CA, Dawnay N, Kazem AJN, Hickling R, Wright J. 2003. Do competing males cooperate? Familiarity and its effect on cooperation during predator inspection in male three-spined sticklebacks (Gasterosteus aculeatus) Journal of Fish Biology, 63 :243-244 >DOI
Dawnay NM, Flamson R, Hall M, Steadman D. Impact of sample degradation and inhibition on field-based DNA identification of human remains Forensic Science International: Genetics,
Internet publication
Ballantyne J, Hanson E, Mills D, Kallifatidis B, Mendel J, Dawnay N, Nagy R. 2013. DNA First: Quick screening systems can help select the most appropriate forensic samples for full DNA analysis
Engagement & Impact
Award:
Winner Best Presentation at Bangor Winter Conference
Nominated for outstanding forensic scientist award (2014) at LGC.
External collaboration:
Science & Advice for Scottish Agriculture (SASA), Dr Lucy Webber
Kings College London, Dr Barbara Daniel Dr Denise Syndercombe Court
Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, Dr Rob Ogden Dr Ross McEwing
External PGR Supervision - completed students:
Kings College London, MSc, The development and application of field portable species identification assays for non-human forensics and food authentication applications
Kings College London, MSc, The investigation of SNPs in forensically relevant body fluid-specific mRNA markers and their impact on PCR efficiency and melt curve analysis
Kings College London, MSc, The Effect of mRNA Amplicon Length on Direct RT-PCR Efficiency of Inhibited and Degraded Samples
Industrial connections:
LGC, Research and Innovation Team
LGC, ParaDNA Development Team
Media Coverage:
http://www.forensicmag.com/articles/2013/09/dna-first, Co-authored article in Forensic Magazine
Membership of professional bodies:
Member, Forensic Science Society
Member, International Society of Forensic Genetics