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Forensic devices

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A range of devices developed with Bioscience experts to enhance and advance forensic science and sample analysis. 

The design research played a pivotal role in advancing forensic science through the development of tools, methods, and collaborative frameworks that prioritise reproducibility, usability, and translational impact. Central to this body of work is the Reed-Stanton press rig, a precision-engineered device that enables the generation of reproducible fingermarks under controlled conditions.

 

Conceived and refined through iterative prototyping and interdisciplinary collaboration, the rig addresses a longstanding challenge in forensic science: the variability of latent print deposition. By standardising pressure, angle, and contact time, it provides a reliable platform for chemical and biometric analysis, supporting studies into fingermark ageing, donor profiling, and trace detection.
This work has been conducted in close partnership with forensic scientists, mass spectrometry specialists, and law enforcement agencies, including the Centre for Mass Spectrometry Imaging and the Scottish Police Authority. The rig has underpinned a series of investigations into the chemical intelligence embedded in fingermarks, enabling high-resolution imaging and the development of protocols for forensic dating and substance identification. Beyond the laboratory, design has also contributed to the development of DNA-safe recovery systems for crime scene use, including a UKRI-funded collaboration with Consolite Technology Ltd to create a fingerprint recovery system that mitigates cross-contamination risks while preserving evidential integrity.


Underpinning these innovations is a design ethos that foregrounds methodological rigour, user-centred thinking, and the translation of research into practice. This has included the creation of calibration protocols, visual documentation, and training materials that support adoption in operational settings. The work has not only influenced academic discourse but has also informed teaching, curriculum development, and international conversations around forensic harmonisation. In doing so, it exemplifies how design can act as a bridge between scientific inquiry and real-world application, shaping the future of forensic practice through thoughtful, hands-on innovation.

External links

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The Reed-Stanton press rig for the generation of reproducible fingermarks

Watch Scientific Lead Professor Simona Francese explain the science here and here

The Reed-Stanton press rig for the generation of reproducible fingermarks: Towards a standardised methodology for fingermark research

Intellectual property links here

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