Honorary Fellow - Ann Priston
ANN PRISTON OBE, BSc, PhD, FCSFS
Professional Background
Dr Priston obtained a joint honours degree in Biochemistry and Physiology in 1967 and a doctorate in biochemistry in 1970, both from Bedford College, London. During her early career she worked on DNA synthesis in the Nobel Prize winning team at Kings College London and in the USA at the University of Pennsylvania.
She joined the Metropolitan Police Forensic Science Laboratory in 1970, dealing with offences against the person, eventually specialising in the examination of textile fibres. For 10 years she concentrated on cases involving mainland PIRA activity. She holds 14 commendations for dedication, professionalism and presentation in court and was awarded a Commissioner’s Commendation for her contribution to the investigation into terrorism on the Greek mainland over the last 30 years.
During her career Ann worked on cases from N. Ireland, Gibraltar, Malta, Antigua, Athens, Cyprus, Turkey, Norway, Bermuda, Barbados, Italy, Germany, and Canada and has given evidence in all types of courts in this country and in Antigua, Gibraltar (three times), Malta and Norway. She has presented papers at conferences throughout the UK and in France, Germany, Switzerland, California, Bahrain and Abu Dhabi.
Ann has taken an active role in training and educating colleagues for many years and is still a visiting lecturer at King’s College, London. She was responsible for organizing awareness training for Judges and lawyers from the London Crown Courts and the High Court was a tutor for the Inner Temple Advocacy Master Classes.
In March 1998 she was invested with the order of OBE for services to the Home Office. Dr Priston also holds the Freedom of the City of London and in 2004 Ann was appointed to the bench at Richmond - upon-Thames magistrates’ court.
CSFS Background
Ann has been a member of the then Forensic Science Society since the beginning of her career in the early seventies. She was the non-Council representative on the Members and Ethics Committee for many years before becoming Vice President in 2004. She became President Elect in 2008 and led the team preparing for the Society’s Golden Jubilee celebrations which included a visit by Her Royal Highness, The Princess Royal.
Between 2009 and 2014 Ann took the office of President of the Forensic Science Society from where she oversaw its transition to a Chartered body by the granting of a Royal Charter from Her Majesty’s Privy Council. She was also responsible for the High Court Judge, the Honourable Mr Nigel Sweeney, becoming the Society’s first Patron.