Shirley Marshall

Shirley Marshall has been a Forensic Scientist for over 25 years. Beginning her career with the Metropolitan Police Forensic Science Laboratory and then moving to Lothian & Borders Police, Edinburgh Scotland, where she worked as a reporting officer in general biology before becoming the head of the DNA Profiling section.

Shirley joined the academic staff at Teesside University in 2005 and is a Principal Lecturer for Enterprise and Business Engagement in Science, Engineering and Design, which includes managing partnerships with police and forensic practice organisations. Shirley is course leader for MSc Forensic Science and lectures at all levels on Forensic Biology, DNA Profiling and the professional aspects of being a Forensic Scientist and expert witness. She has actively contributed to national working groups on DNA, Forensic Science Education and the National DNA Database. Shirley was a UKAS technical assessor for ISO17025 for 5 years. Research interests include detection, transfer and persistence of body fluids, forensic dna analysis, quality management, courtroom skills and science communication.

As a Fellow of the Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences Shirley has acted as the Society’s representative on the Forensic Science Regulator’s (Home Office) DNA Specialist Group. Serving on Council of the professional body from 2000 to 2008, latter 6 years as Honorary Secretary, Shirley continues to be actively involved in standard setting in forensic science education and regularly participates in accreditation assessments of University courses in the UK and Europe. Shirley is a Chartered Biologist and Fellow of the Royal Society of Biology.