Miss Laura Reaney

Teaching Fellow

Pure and Applied Chemistry

Personal statement

Laura graduated from the University of Lincoln with a BSc (Hons) Forensic Science and the University of Strathclyde with an MSc in Forensic Science, specialising in Biology.

With over ten years’ experience as a Forensic Practitioner in the UK, at one of the largest private providers of Forensic Services, she has worked on a large number of high profile cases throughout the UK, USA, Caribbean, Australia, Afghanistan and South Africa including sexual offences, murders, disaster victim identification cases and terrorism offences.

In addition, Laura has worked as a course developer for Oxford Royale Academy and as a guest lecturer at Nottingham Trent University, before taking up her current position at the University of Strathclyde in 2019.

As the Casework Manager of the Scottish Independent Forensics Review Service, here at Strathclyde, Laura is responsible for overseeing the casework consultancy services and enforcing their Codes of Conduct. In addition, she is competent in all body fluid examinations, Blood Pattern Analysis, DNA analysis and interpretation, recovery and identification of trace evidence (including hairs/fibres and glass) and the analysis of gunshot residue by Scanning Electron Microscopy. She acts as an expert witness, providing independent second opinion casework, producing written statements and giving oral evidence in court.

Her research interests are in policy, compliance and stability in the forensic market, as well as international best practice in sexual offence casework, particularly conflict-related sexual violence.

Laura sits on the University's Senate and Criminal Convictions Panel.

Expertise

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Prize And Awards

Strathclyde Medal: Recipient; 16/9/2021
Teaching Excellence Award (Nominee): Recipient; 9/6/2021
Teaching Excellence Award (Nominee): Recipient; 9/6/2021

More prizes and awards

Teaching

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Teaching

Laura teaches a variety of topics in forensic science to final year BSc/MChem Forensic and Analytical Chemistry undergraduates, and to MSc Forensic Science postgraduate students.

Principally focussing on her expertise in forensic biology and forensic practice, she lectures on a wide range of topics from International Law and Quality, to Case Assessment & Interpretation of evidence in sexual offence cases. As a multi-discipline forensic scientist she also teaches the recovery and analysis of gunshot residue.

In the laboratory Laura is responsible for the associated practical sessions, assisting students to develop their skills and confidence in core forensic laboratory techniques, including contemporaneous note-taking, microscopy, Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) and presumptive/confirmatory bodyfluid testing.

Laura is the module coordinator for the core theory modules in Semester 1 and 2 of the MSc Programme and also holds the role of the Forensic Biology Discipline Lead.

Laura sits on the Staff Student Liaison Committee, fairly and objectively providing an opportunity for students to put forward their voice and receive timely feedback and support on matters raised. She is also a strong advocate for implement innovative teaching practices and ensuring forensic education at Strathclyde is reflective of industry needs.

Research

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Research Interests

Laura's research interests are in policy, compliance and stability in the forensic market.

Creating, designing and supervising short impact projects with the MSc forensics students and more recently, as part of the Scottish Independent Forensics Review Service, she is leading a review of the contribution of second opinion Forensic Casework over the past 50 years and has a growing portfolio of practical based research at the University in the area of sexual offence casework.