Leisa Nichols-Drew is a Chartered Forensic Practitioner (ChFP), a National Teaching Fellow (2019), and an Associate Professor at De Montfort University in Leicester.
Her career in forensic science casework commenced in 2000, at the former Forensic Science Service, and more recently Cellmark Forensic Services. Leisa's expertise is in the forensic science laboratory evidential examination, recovery, and documentation of crime scene exhibits, from a range of offences, within the disciplines of Forensic Biology (blood pattern analysis, bodyfluids examinations, DNA processing and submissions) and Evidence Recovery (including hairs, fibres and trace particulate debris, also shoe/tool/tyre mark analysis, microscopy and UV/IR imaging techniques). Additionally, as a Quality Advisor, Laboratory Auditor (ISO 17025), Technical Trainer, Subject Specialist, and Researcher.
Leisa is currently undertaking a part time PhD investigating novel fingermark development methods to aid crime scene and laboratory examinations of leather surfaces.
In 2018, Leisa was awarded a Churchill Fellowship to investigate international knife crime approaches for knife crime offences to aid the UK situation. Her proactive and reactive research recommendations resulted in a journal publication which concluded that less-lethal novel knives with rounded tips, do not penetrate clothing fabrics in a stabbing motion therefore reducing the potential occurrence of injuries when compared to conventional pointed kitchen knives. This research was recognised with an award in 2021. Leisa's Churchill Fellowship has led to updates to UK police forces, a submission to the House of Lords forensic science enquiry, was referred to in the National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) publicity material coinciding with the legislative changes to the Offensive Weapons Act (2019), and has been disseminated around the world.
In 2020, Leisa co-founded an international network called #RemoteForensicCSI with two other National Teaching Fellows: Dr Rachel Bolton-King (Staffordshire University) and Professor Ian Turner (University of Derby) to support academics and practitioners in forensic science training and education, with the transition to online learning, during the Covid-19 pandemic. The #RemoteForensicCSI community has a membership from five continents.
In 2021, Leisa was part of the reading group for the QAA Benchmark Standards in Forensic Science. Leisa is an elected member of the Executive Council of the British Academy of Forensic Sciences and sits on the Membership and Ethics Committee of the Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences.