Role
William Morris has been with NTU as a Senior Lecturer in Forensic Science since 2019. He is module leader for Technical Skills for Forensic Science in Year 1 and Forensic Casework Examination in Year 2 of the BSc Forensic Science. He also teaches on the MSc and MSci Forensic Science courses. He is the Year 2 tutor for BSc Forensic Science. His project supervision includes guiding students for up to 10 capstone projects on BSc, MSci and MSc courses.
The areas of interest which Will covers in his teaching include : fingerprint detection and identification, laboratory examination of other forensic evidence types including footwear, courtroom presentation of evidence and the wider forensic process including ISO procedures and other forensic standards.
Career overview
2019 - current, Senior Lecturer in Forensic Science, Nottingham Trent University.
Fellow of the HEA (FHEA). Professional Graduate Certificate in Education, Education and Training. Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Practice. BSc (Hons). MA.
2017 - 2019, Lecturer / Senior Lecturer in Crime Scene Science, De Montfort University.
2017, Practice Developer, College of Policing. Contributing to the development of policing standards and authorised professional practice across the range of policing for England and Wales.
2014 - 2017, Forensic Trainer, College of Policing. Delivery of training to forensic professionals on national and international forensic learning programmes. Delivery of training in both UK and international locations. Design of training materials for forensic learning programs. Design and delivery of assessments at all levels of forensic learning programs. Representing the College for meetings and working groups, at both regional and national level. Analysis of quality assurance and administrative procedures. Analysis of strategic forensic guidance and procedures.
1999 - 2014, Forensic Identification Officer, Leicestershire Police.
Dual skilled in both Fingerprints (1999 – 2014) and Footwear (2006 - 2014). Entered on the National Register of Fingerprint Experts 2003 - 2017.
Analysis, Comparison and Evaluation of crime scene and custody fingerprints and footwear for both volume and major crime. Preparation of evidence and presentation of evidence in court. Verification of both casework and evidence preparation. Coaching and mentoring of forensic identification trainees. Writing and auditing quality assurance procedures, ISO9000 and ISO17025. Received commendations in 2007 and 2013.
IT development for forensic applications. 2004-2006 East Midlands regional representative on the User Design Team for the Ident1 National AFIS System. Liaising with ACPO / PITO and the vendors Northrop Grumman and Safran Morpho. 2006 – 2014, design feedback and testing of the Treadmark footwear system.
1998 - 1999, Police National Computer operator, Leicestershire Police.
Research areas
- Fingermark detection and fingerprint identification.
- Fingerprint Class characteristics.
- Footwear marks detection and identification.
- Forensic inference covering fingerprint evidence.
- Expert Witness standards.
External activity
- Professional Member of the Chartered Society for Forensic Sciences(http://www.csofs.org/)
- Ordinary member on the Council of the Chartered Society for Forensic Sciences 2019 - 2022 (http://www.csofs.org/)
- Member of the Editorial Board of Science and Justice, the journal of the Chartered Society for Forensic Sciences(http://www.csofs.org/) 2016 - current
- Previously editor of Fingerprint Whorld 2005 - 2007, the Journal of the Fingerprint Society, and served on the committee of the Fingerprint Society at that time.
- Fellow of the Fingerprint Society prior to the merger of the Fingerprint Society with the CSoFS.
- Member of the International Association for Identification.
- Member of the Genetics Society.
- External supervisor for a fingerprint based PHD programme of study at Staffordshire University, 2016-2022.
- External PHD examiner.
- External examiner for forensic courses in a UK Higher Education Institution.
Publications
Needham, M., Fieldhouse, S., Morris, W., Wheeler, J. and Nicholls, G., 2022. Collaborative practise in forensic science and academia: The development of a documentation strategy for fingerprint examinations in an English fingerprint bureau in the ISO 17025 era. Science & Justice; Sci Justice, 62 (3), 336-348.
I am supporting the UN Sustainable Development Goals in both my teaching and my research. This is focused on SDG 16, Peace Justice and Strong Institutions, for which forensic science is the natural fit. However, when forensic science and quality education are applied successfully they will make a significant impact upon gender equality and reducing inequalities.
I am always open to discussing collaboration and networking in forensic research, training, teaching and operational forensic practice. If your work is supporting the UN SDGs then I will be even more interested in opening up a conversation.
