King's Forensics

Led by Professor Kim Wolff, MBE,  King’s Forensics has an active, dedicated research programme under five different research themes including Forensic & Analytical Science, Anti-Doping Science, Forensic Genetics, International Forensics (incorporating wildlife crime) and our fledgling theme Digital Forensics & Cybercrime.  Our work is evidence-based and translational seeking to improve identification, detection, and interpretation techniques in our chosen fields.  We have always worked closely with government departments, practitioners, and providers to ensure that our research is focused on addressing their fundamental questions and most important needs.
We have an enviable history in research-led accredited service provision in our state-of-the-art laboratories

Drug Control Centre

The Drug Control Centre (DCC) is the only World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) accredited laboratory in the UK and played a key role in the Anti-Doping bio-analytical testing programmes for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.The DCC, accredited to UKAS ISO/IEC 17025:2017 continues to be at the forefront of advances in Anti-Doping science and protecting both the integrity of sport and the health of athletes.

Forensic Genetics (DNA analysis@Kings)

The DNA group, accredited to UKAS ISO/IEC 17025:2017 and Ministry of Justice) provides specialist forensic services in DNA analysis including complex kinship tests (with specialist services in forensic phenotyping, geographic ancestry and age estimation). They are the main provider of population frequencies for forensic purposes in the UK, and sequence population frequencies worldwide and are leaders in the use of massively parallel sequencing (MPS), Y-chromosome and mitochondrial DNA testing including disaster victim identification (DVI), sexual assault case and in genetic genealogy.

Fingerprint Enhancement Laboratory (City of London Police)

The Fingerprint Bureau, which consists of both the Bureau itself and the Fingerprint Enhancement Laboratory, has experts with over 85 years’ experience of fingermark work between them. The Laboratory is accredited to ISO/IEC 17025:2017 international standard and has technicians that can provide both in-house and crime scene fingerprint development and recovery using state-of-the-art technology.

Our Forensic Science master’s programme has a long history (>30 years) of training both police and civilian forensic science practitioners, with options for research via an MRes, whilst the MSc in Analytical Toxicology produces highly competent laboratory scientists. Research within King’s Forensics has delivered impact in both the 2014 Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) and the 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF).

Our PIs lead a number of ongoing research programmes collaborating with our research partners for instance:

Prof Kim Wolff  

Explores Alternative Matrices/Technology for the detection and identification of small molecules in different population.

Collaborators:  ASI, Intelligent Fingerprinting Ltd, DVLA, Department for Transport

Prof Denise Syndercombe Court

Concerned with specialist ‘next-generation’ analysis of trace biological level evidence and forensic genetics for human identification

Collaborators: Home Office, Eurofins, Key Forensics, Othram

Prof Andrew Macleod

Research to deliver solutions to reduce the incidence of sexual exploitation and abuse.

Collaborators Othram, Hear Their Cries

Prof David Cowan

Research to investigate Growth Hormone and Peptide Chemistry as applied to Anti-Doping.

Collaborators: UKAD, University Southampton

Prof Gillian Tully

Seeks to Improve criminal justice outcomes in cases of rape and serious sexual assault

Collaborators: East Midlands Special Operations Unit, Havens, Met Police 

Dr Barbara Daniel

Visualisation of fingermarks on items pertinent to wildlife trafficking

Collaborators: City of London Police, Netherlands Forensic Institute

Dr Vincenzo Abbate

Investigates analysis of therapeutics, drugs of abuse and NPS in seized powders, and biological matrices including alternative matrices.

Collaborators: TICTAC communications, KHP (Emergency Medicine)

Dr David Ballard

Exploring the use of massively parallel sequencing in biogeographical ancestry, with phenotyping and age prediction for human identification

Collaborators: Home Office, Eurofins, Key Forensics

Dr Nunzianda Frascione

Investigates the nature and evidential use of forensic trace evidence such as biological fluids, touch DNA and fingermarks

Collaborators: Met Police, Eurofins, Forensic Capability Network, Netherlands Forensic Institute  

Funders include: EPSRC, Home Office, Department for Transport, PCC, WADA, NERC, BBSRC, Met Police, Eurofins, City of London Police, FCN