Richard Brawn

Job: DPL/Senior Lecturer in Forensic Chemistry

Faculty: Health and Life Sciences

School/department: Leicester School of Pharmacy

Address: 海角社区, The Gateway, Leicester, LE1 9BH.

T: +44 (0) 116 250 6198

E: rjbrawn@dmu.ac.uk

W: /pharmacy

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Personal profile

Richard’s forensic science career began in 2000 and in his role as a Technical Consultant for the Forensic Science Service, he has worked in a variety of areas, carrying out work both within the UK and internationally; often with high profile organisations (such as the FBI, RCMP, NTPFES, NFI etc.) and international and national policing organisations.

Richard has been teaching forensic science at 海角社区 since 2009 and is the current DPL, year 3 head and admissions tutor. He is primarily involved in the teaching of Forensic Imaging, DNA, Fire investigation, Chemistry and Trace analysis and is also a personal tutor.

Research group affiliations

海角社区 Centre for Pedagogic Reserach
School of Pharmacy Education and Pedagogic Research group
Biomolecular Technology Group

Publications and outputs

dc.title: Forensic science & human migration: The role of forensic genetics dc.contributor.author: Johnston, Emma; Brawn, R. J.; McKie, Ruth E.; Crisp, Annette dc.description.abstract: Many migrants perish on dangerous journeys in search of a better life around the world. However, little is being done to identify these individuals. Forensic science has successfully been used to identify individuals following mass-casualty incidents such as 9/11, the Boxing Day tsunami and the Balkans war. In these cases, and many others, forensic scientists have given evidence in international tribunals and helped to provide answers to families searching for their loved ones. The international forensic science community is beginning to respond to this humanitarian crisis and attempting to identify decedent migrants. However, due to the complex nature of the migrant situation there are practical limitations to some conventional identification methods such as dental records and DNA profiling. Antemortem data can be difficult to gather. DNA profiling is still the gold standard technology for human identification. However, the limitations of conventional forensic identification methods in the migrant context may mean that innovative, new scientific techniques are required.
dc.title: Beyond the Pale Horse - The Application and Impact of a Project Based Approach to a Challenging Module dc.contributor.author: Brawn, R. J.; Johnston, Emma dc.description.abstract: Problem-Based learning (PBL) is a form of Enquiry-Based learning in which learning is focussed around an often complex and ill-defined problem, scenario or situation. Students typically work as part of a team; developing a problem-management strategy and in doing so, the skills and requisite knowledge to generate possible solutions. Ultimately, the focus in PBL is the development of problem-solving skills and the learning opportunities that this provides, rather than realization of a specific or defined 鈥榗orrect鈥� solution. Whilst PBL may represent an excellent instructional tool in many subject areas, it is not always applicable to forensic science curricula, where (to accurately reflect forensic science practice), exercises are almost always carried out within a rigid framework or must comply to a specific quality standard which ultimately defines process and methodology, thus neutralising some of the core benefits conferred by a true-PBL approach. By contrast Project-Based Learning offers a viable alternative to PBL and although it does not necessarily deliver quite the same outcomes, it retains many of the core characteristics of PBL and can be operated within a framework that steers the student approach to the problem. This not only increases the applicability of the project-based learning to forensic science curricula, but also provides the instructor with greater control over learning outcomes, thus increasing the efficiency of the learning activity minimising the impact of its application on staff-loading. In our work, we consider the application of a form of innovative project-based learning to a challenging module which had for several years performed poorly, had considerable problems with student engagement and had been described by some students as teaching 鈥淭he most boring subjects imaginable鈥�. The work, inspired by Belt et al鈥檚鈥楾he Pale Horse鈥� (2009) places the investigation of a criminal case at the centre of the module and takes a top-down teaching approach designed not only to mimic real-life practices, but also help students to foster skills in metacognition. All module content feeds into the investigation and supports the development of the practical, analytical and evaluative skills and knowledge required to address the case; providing students with a genuine reason to learn and a clear goal to achieve. As with many examples of active-learning, students work in teams of 4-5 individuals with whom they work throughout the academic year, thus providing insight into real-world practise and experience of dealing with the difficulties that inevitably arise in a constructive and professional manner helping to support employability goals. In our talk we will consider and discuss the second iteration of our module design reflecting upon the benefits and of course the issues that have arisen in its application. We will also consider the impact of our chosen approach in terms of module achievement and student engagement and hope to provide some insight which may be useful for those considering a similar approach in their own subject areas.
dc.title: Using UFOs to engage undergraduates in forensic science dc.contributor.author: Nichols-Drew, L.; Brawn, R. J.; Fowler, Mark R. dc.description.abstract: Student engagement is typically measured by attendance levels, academic performance and survey responses. This presentation will highlight novel pedagogic approaches to maximising the potential for forensic science students from 海角社区. UFOs (Unique Forensic Opportunities) offer bespoke events incorporating intra and extra curricular activities; within industry standard facilities through delivery by forensic science professionals from the UK Criminal Justice System. Resulting in 80% increased student engagement for a standalone Enhancement Week within the academic calendar. UFOs are integral at promoting employability and student autonomy for continual professional development. Therefore, an evident exemplar to other subject disciplines and academic institutions. dc.description: HEA STEM Conference 2017: Achieving Excellence in Teaching and Learning Manchester
dc.title: Concepts of Competence in Forensic Science dc.contributor.author: Nichols-Drew, L.; Fowler, M.; Johnston, Emma; Brawn, R. J.; Yusuf, S. dc.description: STEMHorizons presentation
dc.title: Addressing the Employability Needs of Forensic Science Graduates dc.contributor.author: Fowler, Mark R.; Brawn, R. J.; Marriott, Anna; Roy, P. Lucy; Scott, Nigel W.; Patterson, H. B.
dc.title: From small beginings come great things? International consultancy as a means to Internationalisation dc.contributor.author: Brawn, R. J.; Fowler, Mark R.; Scott, Nigel W.
dc.title: Embedding employability in forensic science provision. dc.contributor.author: Fowler, Mark R.; Brawn, R. J.; Scott, Nigel W.; Patterson, H. B.

Research interests/expertise

Pedagogy and Active Learning
Imaging and Photography
Trace Evidence Analysis and Interpretation
Gun Shot Residue Analysis

Areas of teaching

Imaging and Photography - Module Leader
Materials Identification - Module Leader
Fire, Arson and Explosions - Module Leader
Forensic Chemistry
Bodies, Tissues, Fluids
DNA profiling