Dr Kirstie Scott
School of Biological and Environmental Sciences
My research interests lie in the study of the natural environment pertaining to scenes of crime or forensic interest. I am particularly focused on forensic ecology and the examination of environmental indicators (soil, pollen, diatoms etc.) following their transfer and persistence as forensic trace evidence. My broader interests include trace evidence analysis, aquatic ecology, evidence interpretation, and the development of molecular protocols for environmental analysis in forensic science.
I am a Senior Lecturer in Forensic Bioscience at LJMU and teach on a diverse range of Biology, Forensic Science, and Forensic Anthropology undergraduate and postgraduate modules including Forensic Bioscience, Wildlife Forensics, Trace Evidence Analysis, Forensic Science, and Forensic Science Research Methods.
Degrees
2017, University College London, United Kingdom, PhD, Environmental Forensic Science
2013, University College London, United Kingdom, MRes, Security and Crime Science
2011, University of Oxford, United Kingdom, M.A. (Oxon), Geography
Academic appointments
Teaching Fellow (Forensic Science), University College London, 2016 - 2017
Journal article
Scott KR, Jones VJ, Cameron NG, Young JM, Morgan RM. 2021. Freshwater diatom persistence on clothing II: Further analysis of species assemblage dynamics over investigative timescales Forensic Science International, 326 DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
Scott KR, Jones VJ, Cameron NG, Young JM, Morgan RM. 2021. Freshwater diatom persistence on clothing I: A quantitative assessment of trace evidence dynamics over time. Forensic Science International, 325 :110898-110898 DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
Morgan RM, Scott KR, Ainley J, Bull PA. 2019. Journey history reconstruction from the soils and sediments on footwear: An empirical approach Science and Justice, DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
Scott KR, Morgan RM, Cameron NG, Jones VJ. 2019. Freshwater diatom transfer to clothing: Spatial and temporal influences on trace evidence in forensic reconstructions Science and Justice, DOI Author Url Public Url
Scott KR, Morgan RM, Jones VJ, Dudley A, Cameron NG, Bull PA. 2017. The Value of an Empirical Approach for the Assessment of Diatoms as Environmental Trace Evidence in Forensic Limnology Archaeological and Environmental Forensic Science, 1 :49-78 DOI
Levin EA, Morgan RM, Scott KR, Jones VJ. 2017. The transfer of diatoms from freshwater to footwear materials: An experimental study assessing transfer, persistence, and extraction methods for forensic reconstruction Science & Justice, DOI Author Url Public Url
Scott KR, Morgan RM, Jones VJ, Cameron NG. 2014. The transferability of diatoms to clothing and the methods appropriate for their collection and analysis in forensic geoscience Forensic Science International, 241 :127-137 DOI Author Url Public Url
Internet publication
Scott KR. 2016. How microscopic algae are helping forensic teams catch criminals
Editorial/letter to the editor
Scott KR, Morgan RM, Jones VJ, Cameron NG. 2015. Reply to A. Dragutinovic, 'A reply to: The transferability of diatoms to clothing and the methods appropriate for their collection and analysis in forensic geoscience Forensic sci. Int. 241 (2014) 127-137' FORENSIC SCIENCE INTERNATIONAL, 247 :E26-E27 DOI Author Url
Conference publication
Morgan R, McCulloch G, Scott K. 2013. Developing the forensic applications of the organic component of sediments 2nd International Conference on Engineering Geophysics,
Morgan R, McCulloch G, Scott K. 2013. Developing the forensic applications of the organic component of sediments 2nd International Conference on Engineering Geophysics, DOI
Conference presentation:
Massively Parallel Sequencing (MPS) of diatom and bacterial DNA: a new approach for freshwater trace evidence analysis, American Academy of Forensic Sciences, Oral presentation. 2021
Diatom DNA: development of a novel MPS protocol for trace evidence analysis, 22nd Triennial Meeting of the International Association of Forensic Sciences (IAFS 2020), Oral presentation. 2020
Integrating microscopy with multiple molecular markers to enhance the exclusionary analysis of freshwater forensic samples, 22nd Triennial Meeting of the International Association of Forensic Sciences (IAFS 2020), Oral presentation. 2020
The recovery of diatom traces from external human tissues – implications for forensic taphonomy in freshwater environments, 22nd Triennial Meeting of the International Association of Forensic Sciences (IAFS 2020), Oral presentation. 2020
Aquatic ecology in forensic science and crime reconstruction, Forensic Archaeology, Anthropology, & Ecology Symposium, London, UK, Oral presentation. 2017
A multidisciplinary approach to the collection and analysis of aquatic trace evidence from clothing exhibits, International Symposium of the Australia and New Zealand Forensic Science Society, Auckland, New Zealand, Oral presentation. 2016
Examining the temporal variation of diatoms as trace evidence indicators: implications for forensic ecology., International Symposium of the Australia and New Zealand Forensic Science Society, Auckland, New Zealand, Oral presentation. 2016
Recommendations for the forensic investigation of freshwater crime scene environments., International Symposium of the Australia and New Zealand Forensic Science Society, Auckland, New Zealand, Oral presentation. 2016
The transfer and persistence of diatom particulates on clothing: forensic implications for the analysis of aquatic trace evidence, 7th European Academy of Forensic Science conference, Prague, Czech Republilc, Oral presentation. 2015
Developing the techniques available for the collection and analysis of forensic trace evidence in freshwater crime scene environments, National Institute of Justice Impression Pattern and Trace Evidence Symposium, San Antonio, Texas, US, Oral presentation. 2015
The use of optical techniques for the analysis of diatom traces in forensic investigation, Inter/Micro conference, McCrone Research Institute, Chicago, Illinois, Oral presentation. 2015
The forensic implications of diatom seasonality: directing a new technique for the ecological assessment of trace evidence in forensic geoscience., Forensic Geoscience: Future Horizons, The Geological Society, London, UK, Oral presentation. 2014
Forensic applications of diatom analysis: a ‘new’ technique for the assessment of environmental trace evidence., The changing face and pace of trace evidence: The Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences Annual Autumn Conference, Leicester, UK, Oral presentation. 2014
Forensic implications of diatom seasonality: the transfer and persistence of diatom particulates on clothing, British Diatom Meeting, Hay-on-Wye, Wales, Oral presentation. 2014
The application of diatom analysis in forensic geoscience: developing a new technique for the comparative assessment of trace evidence., International Symposium of the Australia and New Zealand Forensic Science Society, Adelaide, Australia, Oral presentation. 2014
Diatoms in forensic geoscience: an investigation into the transfer and collection of aquatic and terrestrial diatoms from clothing for use in forensic investigation., British Diatom Meeting, The Lake District, UK, Oral presentation. 2013
Other invited event:
Forensic ecology - the case for diatom analysis, Staffordshire University, Invited lecture (2019). 2019
Environmental forensics - research and casework, University of Huddersfield, Invited lecture (2019). 2019
Forensic geoscience in aquatic environments, University College London, Invited lecture (2018). 2018
Forensic palynology, University College London, Invited lecture (2018). 2018
Aquatic forensic geoscience, University College London, Invited lecture (2017). 2017
Environmental forensic science, University of Portsmouth, Invited lecture (2017). 2017
Environmental forensic science: The case for diatom analysis, University of Central Lancashire, Invited lecture (2017). 2017
Diatoms as environmental indicators in forensic science, UCL Environmental Change Research Centre, Invited lecture (2016). 2016
Biological analyses of soils, sediments, and earth surface materials in forensic geoscience., The University of Oxford Centre for the Environment, Invited lecture (2016). 2016
Editorial boards:
Forensic Science International: Synergy, Editorial Board, https://www.journals.elsevier.com/forensic-science-international-synergy. 2018
Public engagement:
Reading, UK, Institute of Environmental Sciences Soapbox Science, Demonstration, Wider public, Invited Speaker. 2016
Teaching qualification:
Associate Fellow (Higher Education Academy). 2016
Conference organisation:
Forensic Geoscience: Future Horizons, Organising Committee. 2014