Brian Rankin

Society Position: Honorary Chair of Quality Standards 
Qualifications/Postnominals: BSc., MSc., CChem., FRSC, FCSFS
Current Employment: Retired Forensic Practioner

Professional Background

After completing the MSc in Forensic Science at Strathclyde University, Brian began his career as an operational forensic chemist as part of the Home Office Forensic Science Service (FSS) Laboratory.  For approximately half of his FSS career, he has been an operational forensic scientist investigating crimes against property such as burglary, criminal damage and robbery and suspicious fires.  He has also been an authorised analyst for the purposes of the Road Traffic Act.

During the latter years of his FSS career he had a variety of roles, including the management of teams of forensic scientists, involvement in high profile projects linking the Home Office and the ACPO (Association of Chief Police Officers). He has also been involved in the training of police officers of all ranks, scenes of crime officers and the legal profession. He is a strong advocate of an integrated investigative process to support the investigation of crime from scene to court.

In June 2007 Brian left the FSS and joined Teesside University (formerly University of Teesside) as Head of Centre for Forensic Investigation. Brian retired from Teesside University in 2014.

Brian was also involved with the setting up of a forensic science element at Bradford University and this course has gone from strength to strength.  Through his University role he has had a number of University External Examining roles and still is active with two Universities.  Brian has been a member of the Home Office Forensic Science Advisory Council (FSAC) supporting the Forensic Science Regulator, and currently sits on the Quality Standards Specialist Group. He was also a member of the Skills for Justice National Forensic Science Occupational Committee (FSOC) and the Higher Education Academy Sciences Centre Advisory Committee.

Brian Chairs the KTN Special Interest Group for Forensic Science – this supports forensic science research, working with industry and endeavours to bring the research to market.  His key interests are around the integrated investigative process, pursuing Chartered status for forensic scientists and supporting government policy to increased employer skills in the workplace and through the Higher Education system.

CSFS Background

Brian joined the Society while he was a student at Strathclyde University and has been a member ever since.  His first role was to look after the visual aids – in the days when there were slides as opposed to PowerPoints! Don’t forget there may be one way to view a PowerPoint slide but there were eight ways to put a 33mm slide in a slide holder! During his membership he has held a number of roles including President, Vice President, Honorary Secretary and Council member.  He has made significant contributions to all roles and sees the future of the Society as ‘full of potential’.  As a Past President Brian is particularly keen to continue supporting the CSFS as the professional body for all forensic practitioners and using his current roles to support the forensic industry through collaboration with its professional body. 

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