A LECTURER is hoping to transform the forensic field following funding to solve investigations relating to unidentified bodies.

Dr Noemi Procopio at Northumbria University, Newcastle, has been awarded more than £1m to develop a new technique that will unveil details to help solve investigations relating to unidentified bodies.

There are around 1,500 unidentified bodies at present in the UK and 40,000 in the USA, and it is thought that these numbers could represent just the tip of the iceberg.

Dr Procopio’s research uses technology to address two vital questions that a forensic scientist is asked to solve a crime or to assist in the identification of unknown victims: the time elapsed from his or her death, which is known as the post-mortem interval of the victim and the age at death of the victim.

Although several different approaches can be used to answer these questions, they have been criticised for their lack of objectivity, quantifiability and accuracy.

This is largely due to the fact that the approaches are mostly based on the morphological examination of the skeletal remains and on the expertise of the forensic anthropologist who performs the analysis.

Dr Noemi Procopio of Northumbria’s department of applied sciences is one of the second wave of researchers to be awarded the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Future Leaders Fellowship.

Dr Procopio said: “I am thrilled to be finally able to share this fantastic news with everyone.

"It is a great honour and pleasure to have become a Future Leader Fellow, it is like a dream come true.

"UKRI Future Leader Fellows are an eclectic group of high calibre and talented researchers and innovators from all over the UK, and I am extremely proud to be part of it – now I cannot wait to start to work on my project and to start to build my own team at Northumbria University.

"This is an amazing opportunity not only for my professional growth, but also for the world of forensic science and for the whole society.”

Science Minister Chris Skidmore said: “Delivering on our research and innovation ambitions means putting people first, whether they are just starting out in their career or are leading major projects in academia or industry.

“These inspirational Future Leaders Fellows will generate the ideas of the future, helping to shape science and research for the 21st century."