Jon Wright

Role

Jon Wright is a Senior Lecturer in Forensic Science and is the course lead for the BSc Forensic Science.

Career overview

July 1990 – September 2005

Forensic Scientist
Metropolitan Police Forensic Science Laboratory and the Forensic Science Service

For fifteen years I was a forensic scientist involved in active case work.  I have been employed in a range of specialist units and departments including:

*Forensic Biology - Examination of casework items for body-fluids (including subsequent retrieval and submission for DNA analysis), attending crime scenes to analyse for body fluids and carry out blood pattern analysis and training.
*Research and Development – Early research into PCR and DNA based profiling techniques, novel areas of finger-mark and footwear enhancement, and development of digitised blood pattern analysis systems.
*Fire Investigation Unit - Investigation and analysis of scenes of fatal and suspicious fires within London. Casework relating to fire debris and incendiary devices from scenes of crime.
*Serious Crimes Unit - Chemical treatment of casework articles, to enhance foot and fingerprints for visual comparison with databases and suspects.
*High profile scene examination including terrorism, kidnap, and murder.
*Covert scene examination (counter terrorism)

I have appeared on a number of occasions as an expert witness in both Crown Court and Magistrates court.  I have produced countless expert witness statements and reports for presentation in court on a range of areas including, Body fluids, DNA, Blood pattern interpretation, fire investigation, finger mark enhancement and crime scene examination.  I have written and co-authored many training manuals and quality documents related to these areas of expertise.

September 2005 – Sept 2021
Lecturer / Senior Lecturer in Forensic Sciences
University of Derby,
Programme leader for BSc Forensic Science with Criminology and teaching on 11 modules from levels three to seven.  
Experienced in assessment design, practical pedagogies, and forensic science research.

September 2021-Present
Senior Lecturer Forensic Science
BSc Forensic Science Course lead, Nottingham Trent University,

I am an experienced academic in forensic science with over seventeen years of teaching, supervision, and leadership experience.  I am currently course leader for BSc Forensic Science and MSci Forensic Science (to level 6), module leader for UG Research Module and PG Forensic Expert. I currently teach on a number of modules from levels four to seven.
I have a principal role in the retention, progression, and overall satisfaction of students in the Forensic portfolio.  I am experienced in assessment design, practical pedagogies, and forensic science research.  I have undertaken a number of roles in my academic career, but the most notable is my regional reputation and commitment to outreach and widening participation.
I endeavour through outreach and other media to bring the concept and challenge of Forensic Science to the everyday.

External activity

STEM Outreach Activity, TV and media advisor.

Derby Gaol and Police Museum – Forensic Advisor:  2015 to Present
The Lock Up (West Midlands Police Museum) – Forensic Advisor: 2020 to Present
The National Emergency Services Museum in Sheffield – Forensic Advisor:2018 to Present