Dr Samantha Pickles

Profile - SP

Senior Lecturer in Forensic Science

School of Science and the Environment

Biological Sciences

Contact Details

email: s.pickles@worc.ac.uk
tel: 01905 542390

Samantha has been a forensic scientist since 2002, having been employed with Forensic Alliance (later known as LGC Forensics), MFL Forensics and Forensic Access.

During this time, she was cross-trained within several departments (Biology, Ecology and Drugs), whilst specialising as a Scene Scientist and Expert Witness in the discipline of Forensic Entomology. As a result, she has conducted hundreds of laboratory, crime scene and mortuary examinations, across the full spectrum of crimes against the person, property and animals.

In her previous role as Head of Animal Forensics, Samantha applied forensic strategies and methodologies in animal welfare and cruelty cases. Consequently, she became an advocate of collaborative working and raising awareness of the ‘links’ between animal and human offences.

Alongside her role as Learning and Teaching Co-ordinator here at the University of Worcester, Samantha is the originator of the External Examiners’ Network, and also the Chair and founder of the Animal Related Crime Working Group, with the Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences.

Qualifications

  • PhD in Medical Entomology, University of Nottingham
  • MSc in Medical Parasitology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
  • PGCE in Adult Education, University of Bedfordshire
  • BSc (Hons) in Forensic Science, London South Bank University 

Teaching & Research

Samantha currently teaches across a number of courses and levels, including:

  • BIOL 1003: Health and Disease
  • BIOL 1008: Introduction to Forensic Sciences
  • BIOL 2009: Crime Scene Investigation
  • BIOL 2013: Medical Forensic Science
  • BIOL 3002: Research Project
  • BIOL 3007: Law and Order

Samantha’s current research interests include:

  • Animal and environmental forensics
  • Forensic, medical and veterinary entomology
  • Maggot therapy for wound control
  • The links between human and animal abuse

Professional Membership

  • Professional Member of the Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences
  • Fellow of the Royal Entomological Society
  • Fellow of the Linnean Society
  • Member of the European Association for Forensic Entomology
  • Member of the UK Centre for Animal Law

Selected Outreach

  • Pickles, S.F. (2025) What are ‘the links’ and why should we care? British Association for Human Identification (invited speaker).
  • Pickles, S.F. (2024) Animal Related Crimes: Integration into Teaching. RemoteForensicsCSI (invited speaker).
  • Pickles, S.F. (2024) Animal Related Crime Working Group: Purpose and Progress. All-party Parliamentary Dog Advisory Welfare Group (invited speaker).
  • Pickles, S.F. (2024) What are ‘the links’ and why should we care? United Kingdom Association of Fire Investigations (invited speaker).
  • Pickles, S.F. (2023) First Meeting of the Animal Related Crime Working Group. The Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences (Chair and Founder).
  • Gallop, A. (2022) How To Solve A Crime. Chapter 1: What insects can tell us about crime; Chapter 10: Crimes against children. Hodder & Stoughton, UK (Chapter Contributions).
  • Pickles, S.F. and Martin, D. (2021). What are the ‘links’ and why should we care? Forensic Capability Network: Research and Development Festival (invited Keynote speaker).
  • Croft, A. (2021). In Cold Blood. Black Cannon Publishing, UK (Specialist Input).
  • Anderson, G (2020). Forensic Entomology. Chapter 21: Use of entomological evidence in analyzing cases of neglect in humans and animals. CRC Press, Florida (Chapter Contribution).
  • Pickles, S.F. (2020). Pets at home? Considering animal forensics in the domestic setting. UK Journal of Animal Law, 4(1):37-41.
  • Pickles, S.F. (2019). Response to animal welfare (sentencing) bill. Written evidence submitted by Forensic Access Ltd. (AWSB07), Public Bill Committee available from: www.publications.parliament.uk.
  • Sandiford, A. (2019) Forensic Science and the Law. Chapter 19: Environmental Forensics and Scene Examination. Thompson Reuters, NZ (Chapter Contribution).
  • Pickles, S.F. (2018). Closing the circle: Forensic strategy in support of the ‘links’ between animal and human abuse. The Barrister, 76 (3):14-15.
  • Pickles, S.F. and Pritchard, D.I. (2017). Endotoxin testing of a wound debridement device containing medicinal Lucilia sericata Wound Repair and Regeneration, 25(3): 498- 501
  • Pickles, S.F. and Pritchard, D.I. (2017). Quality control of a medicinal larval (Lucilia sericata) debridement device based on released gelatinase activity. Medical and Veterinary Entomology, 31(2):200-206.
  • Pritchard, D.I., Čeřovský, V., Nigam, Y., Pickles, S.F., et al. (2016). TIME management by medicinal larvae. International Wound Journal, 13(4):475-484.
  • Hunter, J., et al. (2013). Forensic Approaches to Buried Remains. Chapter 7: Recovery, sampling and dating. Wiley Blackwell, UK (Chapter Contribution).
  • Payne-James, J., et al. (2011). Simpson’s Forensic Medicine (13th edition). Chapter 5: The appearance of the body after death. Hodder & Stoughton, UK (Chapter Contribution).

Additional Responsibilities

  • Chair of the Animal Related Crime Working Group (with the Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences)
  • Member of the Non-Human Biology Sub-Specialist Group (with the Office of the Forensic Science Regulator)
  • Educational Accreditation Assessor (with the Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences)
  • Learning and Teaching Co-ordinator for the School of Science and the Environment (with the University of Worcester)