Dr Helen McMorris

Contact info

h.mcmorris@abertay.ac.uk

+44 (0)1382 30 8534

Biography

I am currently a Lecturer in forensic science with particular interests in fingermark development and wildlife crime. I am module leader for FOR103 Essential Skills in Forensic Science, FOR205 Forensic Human Identification and FOR411 Honours Project.

I completed my BSc (Hons) in Forensic Sciences in 2012 from Abertay University followed by 3 years working for the Scottish Police Authority (SPA) as a fingerprint examiner. I returned to Abertay to study for a PhD (part time) in 2015 and graduated in July 2024. My research investigated the ability to improve the detection of human invovlement in cases of wildlife crime with particular focus on raptor persecution.

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Teaching
Research

I assist with the delivery of modules across the 4 year forensic science undergraduate programme including both lectures, tutorials and laboratory practicals:

FOR103 - Essential Skills in Forensic Science (Module Leader)

FOR205 - Forensic Human Identification (Module Leader)

FOR301 - Special Topics in Forensic Biology

FOR312 - Scene Examination and Management

FOR403 - Interpretation and Presentation of Evidence

FOR410 - Project and Professional Practice Preparation

FOR411 - Honours Project (Module Leader)

Interests

My research interests are fingermark development and identification, and the use of forensic science techniques to investigate wildlife crime.

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More Information

Funding

In 2015, I received a grant of £3,000 from the Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH).

Esteem

I am an Affiliate Member of the Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences - the accreditation body for the forensic science programme at Abertay.

In 2018, I was invited to speak at the conference for the Forensics Europe Expo (FEE) in London - Europe's leading forensics event.

In 2017, I received the CSEye Award from the Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences for the best article published in CSEye magazine that year.

Knowledge Exchange

My PhD research involved consultation with representatives from the Partnership for Action Against Wildlife Crime (PAW) and the National Wildlife Crime Unit (NWCU).

Conference presentations:

2018: Forensics Europe Expo (FEE) Conference, London

2018: Chartered Society for Forensic Sciences Autumn Conference and AGM, Northampton

2017: Society for Wildlife Forensic Science (SWFS) - 3min Flashtalk, Edinburgh

Outreach

As a STEM Ambassador, I am actively involved with various science based activities throughout the year, aimed at children of primary school age to encourage them to consider stuyding science at secondary school and to have a career in science.

In 2017 I gave a public talk about my PhD research at the Scottish Wildlife Trust's Loch of the Lowes in Dunkeld as part of their summer events programme.

Previously, I have helped to organise the forensic science input for outreach events such as school visits, the LIFT OFF to Success (LO2S) education programme, Dundee Science Week and Breakthrough Dundee.