Forensic Research Group

The Forensic Research Group brings together expertise in criminal investigation, court room proceedings and clinical forensic assessments, prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation.

Our work is having real world impact which is demonstrable through our research and consultancy. This focuses on causes of crime, offending behaviours, good practice and service evaluations, prevention, education and treatment. We work closely with professional networks and engage with communities to drive meaningful change.

Image of human head with fingerprint as brain.

Dr Dean Wilkinson

Dr Wilkinson has been leading research and evaluation projects in the Violence Reduction and Prevention space for the past five years. Funding by the Home Office, under the Violence Prevention Duty, his work has focussed on the development of the West Midlands Violence Reduction Partnership and associated commissioned interventions – Phase 5 of this work focusses specifically on Teachable Moments in Custody and Navigators schemes. Previously we have worked with commissioned providers to evaluate aspects of trauma informed training and practice, violence prevention provision in school, and A&E navigators’ schemes. We assessed the Public Health approach across the partnership, considering the level of systems change, and mapping local activity onto the overall vision and objectives of the partnership.

Dr Joyce Humphries

Dr Humphries research focuses on investigative psychology, with a particular interest in the factors that influence information gathering in forensic investigative contexts. Her earlier work concentrated on exploring age-related differences in lineup identifications and the investigative interviewing of witnesses, and more recently this has expanded to include the investigative interviewing of suspects. In addition, her research addresses post-investigative factors and their impact within courtroom settings, investigating how legal processes, alongside extra-legal and psychological factors, influence courtroom decision-making (case outcomes and jurors’ perceptions).

Dr Nicholas Longpré

Dr Longpré’s main research focuses on two areas. First, his work on the Agonistic Continuum proposes a paradigm shift in the assessment and measurement of sexual violence, moving from traditional typologies to a holistic and dimensional approach, which encompasses recent research on sexual harassment and sexual coercion. The Agonistic Continuum is now used in several countries, has been translated into different languages, cited in Daubert hearings in the USA, and applied in both clinical and research settings. Furthermore, his research also addresses stalking, with an emphasis on its causes, correlates, and risk assessment. While public awareness of the dangers of stalking has increased, there remains a lack of evidence-based knowledge to support changes in public policy. Dr Longpré’s research has recently been cited in the media and presented at the Danish Parliament.

Dr Hayley Rhodes

Dr Rhodes is an Investigative Psychologist. Her research focuses on using evidence-based methods to understand offender behaviour and support law enforcement in responding to the most serious threats. Her research centres on child sexual abuse and exploitation (CSAE), with specific expertise in indecent images of children (IIOC) offending, and risk prioritisation within police investigations. Her recent research scope has expanded to include risk prioritisation of violent extremists. She has assisted with the development and roll out of frontline investigative tools used by police agencies across the UK and internationally.

Our professional network

We work closely with an extensive network of national and international external organisations including:

Lancashire & Merseyside Police

West Midlands Police

NHS

HMPS

Youth Justice Service

Danish Stalking Centre

West Midlands Violence Reduction Partnership

Liverpool Football Club Foundation

A range of charities working in the criminal justice and community settings

Continuing professional development (CPD) courses

Members of our Forensic Psychology Research group are due to run CPD short courses for professionals, drawing on their expertise in research and professional practice. Our courses apply evidence-based subject knowledge to support practitioners in enhancing their skills across several areas of forensic practice and criminal justice settings. Specialist modules are currently in development.

Community CPD events will also be launched by the Forensic Research Group in due course. These events will be aimed at connecting with the community in a relaxed social setting, providing opportunities for individuals to learn, network and engage with the university.

For more information contact [email protected]

News

Hear from our in-house expert Dr. Nicholas Longpré on the topic of Forensic Psychology explained

Forensic psychology explained: a conversation with Dr Nicholas Longpré

Get involved

Tile 1: Take part as a Research Volunteer as part of our Research Participation Scheme https://edgehill.sona-systems.com/Default.aspx?ReturnUrl=%2f

Tile 2: If you’re a current student, you may be eligible to be a paid intern https://www.edgehill.ac.uk/paid-psychology-internship-scheme/

Tile 3: Apply for a MRes or PhD in Forensic Psychology https://www.edgehill.ac.uk/departments/support/graduateschool/graduate-positions/psychology-and-neuroscience/

Contact

If you would like to find out more about our Forensic group, please get in touch with the group coordinator

Dr Dean Wilkinson

[email protected]

Additional guidance

See existing research group pages for ideas:

Education and Learning- https://www.edgehill.ac.uk/departments/academic/psychology/research/education-and-learning/

Social Cognition and Communication- https://www.edgehill.ac.uk/departments/academic/psychology/research/social-cognition-and-communication/

Substance Use and Appetite- https://www.edgehill.ac.uk/departments/academic/psychology/research/substance-use-and-appetite/

The Ageing Brain- https://www.edgehill.ac.uk/departments/academic/psychology/research/the-ageing-brain/

The Sensing Brain- https://www.edgehill.ac.uk/departments/academic/psychology/research/the-sensing-brain/

Cancer and Chronic Conditions- https://www.edgehill.ac.uk/departments/academic/psychology/research/cancer-and-chronic-conditions/#:~:text=The%20Cancer%20and%20Chronic%20Conditions,management%20of%20chronic%20health%20conditions.