Will Davies, Head of Analytical Forensic Services at Thames Valley Police and organiser of the Fingerprint Enhancement Laboratory Conference, reflects on the 2024 event.

On 11th December 2024, the Fingerprint Enhancement Laboratory (FEL) Conference returned after a two-year hiatus, and it was my privilege as chair of the FEL Expert Network to organise and host this event at Cranfield University. The conference theme, "Advancing Fingerprint Enhancement: Innovation and Precision in Fighting Crime," set the tone for a day of inspiring presentations, fruitful discussions, and opportunities for collaboration.

The FEL Conference is a cornerstone of the FEL Expert Network’s calendar, providing an opportunity for fingerprint enhancement laboratories to come together in person to share best practice and learning. With police and law enforcement agency representatives from across the UK in attendance, alongside academics, researchers, international guests and commercial partners, the day was a melting pot of expertise and shared purpose. The event began with an opening video message from Deputy Chief Constable Ben Snuggs (chair of the National Science Innovation Board) emphasising the importance of collaboration and continual improvement within forensic science, and the opportunity that these networking events bring to enhancing our expert capability in fighting crime. 

A Stellar Line-Up of Speakers

The conference featured six distinguished speakers who captivated the audience with their insights:

  1. Professor Simona Francese – “Translational Research and Innovation in Forensic Science – Breaking Barriers”
  2. Dr Roberto King – “Leaving no stone unturned: Next-generation DNA decontamination for the finger-mark enhancement laboratory”
  3. Derek Hardy – “A Quick View of Full Spectrum Imaging”
  4. Deborah Charlton – “Improving the Technological Readiness of Time of Flight Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry”
  5. Zoe Cadwell – “Visualising the Underworld: a UK Fingermark Enhancement Laboratory Collaborative Project”
  6. Dr Carolyn Lovell – “Innovate to Elevate – Developing a Scientific Led Service that can better protect the public”

Each speaker brought a unique perspective, sharing cutting-edge research, innovative technological solutions, and forward-thinking strategies in a bid to shape the future of fingerprint enhancement. These presentations underscored the importance of perseverance, continual improvement, objective research and taking an idea from inception to implementation. Professor Simona Francese (Sheffield Hallam University) focused around translational research and the need to foster a culture of embracing failure as a key part of learning and success. Dr Roberto King (West Technology Forensics) showcased a novel solution to the problem of DNA contamination in an FEL environment. Derek Hardy (Arrowhead Forensics) joined us from the USA to share his expertise and success in using a UV-C light source as a non-destructive visualisation method. Deborah Charlton (Thames Valley Police) presented her PhD study on ToF-SIMS, its limitations and case usage. Zoe Cadwell (Hampshire and the Isle of Wight Constabulary) enlightened us on her collaborative research study on laboratory methodology used for buried items (#dirtybags). Dr Carolyn Lovell (Office of the Police Chief Scientific Advisor) rounded up the day by delving into the national picture and strategic direction for Science and Technology in Policing, including the use of AI and the make-up of the Research and Innovation Network.

Workshops and Exhibitions: Broadening the Scope

In addition to the speaker sessions, attendees had the opportunity to participate in three engaging workshops that explored critical areas of forensic science:

  1. Adapting to Innovate – Delving into emerging issues and anticipating the future needs of fingerprint enhancement.
  2. Excellence in Consistency – Supporting quality endeavours and exploring opportunities for central validation
  3. Confidence and Competence – Understanding the importance of developing skills and maintaining expertise within the field.

These workshops facilitated by colleagues from the FCN; Thames Valley Police; DSTL; University of Leicester and De Montfort University; served as a forum for delegates to shape problem profiles, identify gaps and explore opportunities to overcome shared challenges.

The exhibition hall also added a dynamic element to the conference where commercial sponsors could showcase their latest products and services, offering attendees first-hand experience of cutting-edge technologies and solutions that have the potential to revolutionise how we do our work. The lively atmosphere of the exhibition hall facilitated networking and sparked ideas for partnership working.

Looking Ahead

One of the key takeaways from the event was the power of collaboration. By uniting practitioners, researchers, and industry leaders, the FEL Conference highlighted the value of a multidisciplinary approach to tackling challenges in fingerprint enhancement. 

Events like this are critical not only for staying at the forefront of forensic science but also for fostering a community of professionals dedicated to the shared goal of delivering justice through scientific excellence.

Reflecting on the day, I’m inspired by the wealth of talent and ingenuity within our fingerprint community. The enthusiasm and commitment of everyone involved reaffirmed the importance of the work we do and the impact it has on society.

I’d like to extend my heartfelt thanks to all the speakers, attendees, and contributors who made the FEL Conference 2024 a resounding success. Let’s keep the conversation going and the innovation flowing!

I’m inspired by the wealth of talent and ingenuity within our fingerprint community. The enthusiasm and commitment of everyone involved reaffirmed the importance of the work we do and the impact it has on society