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Dr Rory Simmons, PhD

  • Lecturer
  • Institute of Science and Environment
  • Science
Dr Rory Simmons, PhD

Biography

Rory is a Lecturer within the Institute of Science and Environment (IoSE), teaching primarily on the BSc (Hons) Forensic Science, BSc (Hons) Criminology with Forensic Investigation and BSc (Hons) Applied Chemistry Programmes. His teaching includes: Crime Scene Investigation, Laboratory Analysis of Forensic Evidence, Forensic Chemistry, Forensic Biology, Commercial Applications of Forensic Science, DNA match probability, multivariate analysis and machine learning, and fingermark enhancement. 

 

Rory has published in Forensic Science International and the Journal of Forensic Identification, with his publications focussing on fingerprint/fingermark enhancement techniques and their subsequent effect on body fluid analysis. His research has helped influence forensic strategy to ensure the maximisation of evidence recovery. He is also an Associate Member of the Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences and a Fellow of the HEA / Advance HE.

 

Rory received his BSc (Hons) in Forensic Sciences from Abertay University, Dundee before moving on to Northumbria University, Newcastle to begin his PhD under the supervision of Dr Kelly Sheridan, Prof. Martin Evison and Dr Guangquan (Philip) Li. His PhD was titled "the application of multivariate analysis to aid the interpretation of textile fibre dyes analysed by microspectrophotometry".

Qualifications and memberships

  • BSc (Hons) - Forensic Sciences - Abertay University, Dundee
  • PhD - Forensic Science - Northumbria University, Newcastle
  • Associate Member - Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences 
  • Fellow HEA/Advance HE

Academic and research interests

  • Fingermark/Fingerprint Enhancement
  • Body Fluid Analysis
  • Textile Fibre Analysis
  • Application of Multivariate Analysis and Machine Learning to Forensic Science

Publications

  • Simmons, R. Deacon, P. Phillips, D. Farrugia, K. “The effect of mark enhancement techniques on the subsequent detection of semen/spermatozoa”. Forensic Science International. 2014. 244: pp.231-246
  • Simmons, R. Deacon, P. Farrugia, K. “Water-soaked Porous Evidence: A comparison of Processing Methods”. Journal of Forensic Identification. 2014. 64(2): pp.157-173

 

Recent external roles

External Assessor (MRES) - De Montfort University - March 2023