Amy Rattenbury
Senior Lecturer in Forensic Science
Amy holds a BSc (Hons) in Forensic Biology from Staffordshire University and an MSc in Forensic Archaeology and Crime Scene Investigation from Bradford University. Her previous research has looked in to ‘How time and pressure can cause distortion in overlapping fingerprints’, ‘Modified weapons trafficking’ and ‘An investigation into identification from light air crashes on the Russian-Finnish border’.
Prior to joining Wrexham University in 2016, she was a programme leader on BSc (Hons) in Criminology & Forensic Investigation at the University Centre Southend, as well as having previously worked in a number of other colleges and UKAS accredited laboratories. Amy’s specialism is in the techniques of search, recovery and identification, and she has substantive experience working with human skeletal remains.
She holds a consultancy position with Kenyon International Emergency Services working in search, location and disaster victim identification, and has been deployed to a Mass Fatality incident as a Database Manager. Amy is an active member of the Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences, the British Association of Forensic Anthropologists and the British Association of Biological Anthropology and Osteoarchaeology as well as various other professional and regulatory bodies. She is currently working toward Certified Forensic Anthropologist status (FA-III) with the Royal Anthropological Institute.
She works closely with local and national teams specialising in the training of forensic search dogs, and has also supported in the delivery of programmes focusing on human remains both nationally and internationally. Her current focus is in the area of forensic taphonomy, and more specifically the impact of decomposition on identification techniques and the use of drone technology in forensic search and recording. She also has broader interests in cold case reviews, buried and concealed evidence and forensic pathology.
Research Interests
Amy's main research focus is currently in the areas of:
• Forensic Anthropology: specifically related to human osteology and dental anthropology
• Forensic Taphonomy: concentrating on factors affecting the rate of decomposition
• Search Dog Handling: specialising on accuracy and reliability of cadaver dogs
• Forensic Education: focused on emerging pedagogies and digital integration.
Other key words related to her research interests: Forensic Archaeology; Forensic Pathology; Entomology; Disaster Management; Disaster Victim Identification; Mass Fatalities; Biological Anthropology; Bioarchaeology; Forensic Imaging; Drones; UAVs; 3D Scanning; 3D Printing; Geophysics; Artificial Intelligence; and Equality & Diversity.
Collaborators
| Name | Role | Company |
|---|---|---|
| Dr Neil Pickles | Associate Dean (Planning & Quality) | Edge Hill University |
| Dr Xenia-Paula Kyriakou | Senior Lecturer in Forensic Sciences | University of West London |
| Dr Christopher Aris | Lecturer in Forensic Anthropology | Keele University |
| Dr Amber Collings | Lecturer in Forensic Anthropology | Keele University |
| Dr Chris Rogers | Senior Lecturer in Forensic Science | Wolverhampton University |
| Paige Tynan | Lecturer in Bioscience | Wrexham University |
| Dr Jixin Yang | Reader in Materials Chemistry | Wrexham University |
| Prof Alison McMillan | Professor in Aerospace Technology | Wrexham University |
Publications
| Year | Publication | Type |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Forensic Investigation Conference: From Death to Discovery, Wrexham Glyndwr University. | Conference Contribution |
| 2023 | BAFA Winter Conference: Searching for Human Remains, British Association for Forensic Anthropology. | Conference Contribution |
| 2023 | Advancing Forensic Taphonomy: Reviews & Recommendations, BAFA Winter Conference: Searching for Human Remains. [DOI] Paige Tynan;Amy Rattenbury;Neil Pickles |
Conference Contribution |
| 2021 | Measuring decay: Forensic techniques for scoring decomposition, LGBTQ+ STEMinar. [DOI] | Other Publication |
| 2020 | Reviewing Total Body Scores (TBS): inter-observer reliability when scoring Sus scrofa decomposition in the UK., British Association for Forensic Anthrropology Virtual Conference. [DOI] | Other Publication |
| 2020 | The challenges of forensic taphonomic research in the UK, Chartered Society for Forensic Science Postgraduate Symposium. [DOI] | Other Publication |
| 2020 | The challenges of taphonomic research in the UK, TaphCon. [DOI] | Other Publication |
| 2020 | Proposing a Database for Forensic Taphonomy: Plans for an online open access repository for teaching and research of post-mortem processes, British Association for Forensic Anthropology Winter Conference. [DOI] | Other Publication |
| 2018 | Effect of salt water on cadaver dog scent detection abilities, INTREPID Conference: Innovation through collaboration. [DOI] Ellis, D.;Rattenbury, A.;Jones, D. |
Conference Contribution |
| 2018 | Forensic Taphonomy, Forensic Ecogenomics. [DOI] A. E. Rattenbury |
Book Chapter |
| 2017 | Forensic Investigation Conference: Search & Identification, Wrexham Glyndwr University. | Conference Contribution |
| 2017 | Review Of “Criminal Investigations: A Method for Reconstructing the Past, CSEye. Amy Rattenbury |
Book Review |
Honors and Awards
| Date | Title | Awarding Body |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Best Personal Tutor - Finalist | Wrexham Glyndwr SU |
| 2022 | Aurora Award | Advanced HE |
| 2023 | Woman of the Year - Finalist | Wales STEM Awards |
| 2021 | Inspire! Tutor Award - Winner | Learning & Work Institute of Wales |
| 2020 | Best Lecturer - Finalist | Wrexham Glyndwr SU |
| 2020 | Best Personal Tutor - Finalist | Wrexham Glyndwr SU |
| 2020 | Best Team - Commendation | Glyndwr Above & Beyond Staff Awards |
| 2020 | Woman in STEM - Finalist | Chwarae Teg Womenspire |
| 2020 | Woman of the Year - Finalist | Wales STEM Awards |
Professional Associations
| Association | Function |
|---|---|
| British Association of Biological Anthropology & Osteoarchaeology | Member |
| Mentoring Women in Archaeology & Heritage | Member |
| Wales STEM Network | Member |
| Chartered Management Institute | Affiliate |
| British Association for Forensic Anthropology | Member |
| Chartered Society of Forensic Science | Professional Member |
| Royal Anthropological Institute | Fellow |
| Association for Learning Technology | Associate |
Committees
| Name | Description | From/To |
|---|---|---|
| British Association for Forensic Anthropology | Membership Secretary | 2017 - 2023 |
Education
| Institution | Qualification | Subject | From/To |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chester University | EdD | Doctorate in Education | 2019 |
| Bradford Univertsity | MSc | Forensic Archaeology & Crime Scene Investigation | 2012 - 2013 |
| Staffordshire Universtiy | BSc (Hons) | Forensic Biology | 2009 - 2012 |
Consultancy & Knowledge Transfer Partnerships
| Client | Description | From/To |
|---|---|---|
| UKK9 Training for Excellence | Search and recovery consultant for missing persons and human remains | 2016 |
Teaching Interests
Amy's teaching interests are deeply rooted in forensic science, with a particular emphasis on forensic biology, forensic archaeology, and crime scene investigation. She is keenly interested in the practical applications of forensic science in solving crimes, including the techniques of search, recovery, and identification, especially in relation to human skeletal remains. Additionally, her interests extend to the training of forensic search dogs, the use of drone technology in forensic search and recording, and the forensic investigation of cold cases, buried and concealed evidence, and forensic pathology.
Amy is passionate about incorporating active learning strategies and technology-enhanced teaching methods into her forensic science courses. She believes in engaging students through hands-on activities, real-world case studies, and the use of innovative technologies, such as drone technology for forensic search and recording. This approach not only deepens students' understanding of forensic science but also prepares them for the practical challenges they will face in their careers.
Programs/ Modules Coordinated
| Title | Subject |
|---|---|
| Science in Court | SCI635 |
| Human Osteology | SCI723 |
| Anatomy, Pathology and the Forensic Examination of Human Remains | SCI519 |
| Negotiated Learning | SCI718 |
| Forensic Taphonomy | SCI608 |
| Forensic Investigation of Mass Fatalities | SCI611 |
| Forensic Evidence and Criminal Justice | SCI417 |
| Intro to Facial Reconstruction | SCI438 |
| Professional Practice & Placement | SCI724 |
| Intro to Ballistics | SCI452 |
| Intro to Search Dog Handling | SCI445 |
| Canine Operational Support | SCI444 |
| Forensic Biology | SCI533 |
| Human Skeletal Remains | SCI439 |
| Research Methods: Theory & Practice | SCI525 |
| Forensic Science for Health Professionals | SCI454 |