Following the fingerprints

From fingerprints to blood spatter, forensic techniques has greatly improved the criminal justice system ever since the discovery of DNA fingerprinting. The seemingly amazing results of these techniques have greatly increased the importance of forensic evidence to juries. The fascination with forensic science has also led to many television series based on this discipline. This event invites experts on forensic science to discuss their views on the importance of forensic evidence and how this real life process has been adapted for entertainment.

Dr Paul Debenham is Director of Innovation and Development at LGC, the UK's designated National Measurement Institute for chemical and biochemial analysis.

Hayley Jackson-Smith is a Forensic Scientist for London Metropolitan Police Serious Crime Division.

Clea Koff is a forensic anthropologist and author who worked several years for the United Nations International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda and the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia in Rwanda, Bosnia, Croatia, Serbia, and in 2000 in Kosovo.

Val McDermid is a crime writer, best known for her suspense novels that were the basis of tv series Wire in the blood.

A live video will be available on this page when the event starts and a recorded video will be available a few days afterwards.

Panel discussion with Dr Paul Debenham, Hayley Jackson-Smith, Clea Koff and Val McDermid as part of the 2012 Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition