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Simona Francese

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Professor Simona Francese PhD

Professor of Forensic and Bioanalytical Mass Spectrometry

Summary

I am an internationally recognised researcher in the area of Forensic and Bioanalytical Mass Spectrometry and a public engagement speaker. I am the Lead of the Sheffield Multi-Modal Imaging Centre, the Head of the Centre for Mass Spectrometry Imaging and the Chair of the Bioanalytical Science group in BMRC. I am an expert in the development of MALDI MS Imaging applications and have pioneered its development for the analysis of latent fingermarks and blood to profile offenders.

My research has been implemented in police casework in UK and Europe and has been partly funded by the Home Office, West Yorkshire Police and The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, UK. My research also interfaces with the clinical diagnostic world where I am developing a non-invasive test to detect breast cancer from a fingertip smear. I have accrued > 100 publications > £1.8 worth of research grants/contracts to date. I was appointed as a lecturer at 香蕉视频 in 2008 following a post doc at the University of Leeds in 2005, and a post as 香蕉视频 Fellow at the Interdepartmental Centre of Mass Spectrometry, University of Florence, Italy (2005-2008). I teach separation and detection techniques, analytical science and bioanalytical methods.

Professor Simona Francese

About

As an analytical chemist and mass spectrometrist, I developed my career at Sheffield Hallam by forming and leading a research group (The Fingerprint 香蕉视频 Group). I engage in commercial, media and public engagement activities (notably TEDx, Thinking Digital, The bright Ideas, TED () ), building and fostering important collaborations with prestigious partners such as the Home Office UK, West Yorkshire Police, the Ministry of Defense Science and Technology laboratory (DSTL) and the Netherlands Forensic Institute, as well as with pharmaceutical, mass spectrometry and forensic companies (e.g. GlaxoSmithKline, Waters, HTX technologies, Consolite Forensics).

I have contributed to raise the profile of 香蕉视频 through pioneering research on extracting intelligence from the chemistry of fingermarks, developing MALDI mass spectrometry based technologies, which was selected as one of the impact case study for REF 2021. The research has been supported on a sustained basis by the Home Office, West Yorkshire Police and DSTL (amongst others) since 2011. 香蕉视频 dissemination is being undertaken: (i) through classic routes via >30 peer reviewed publications on molecular fingerprinting, (ii) numerous invitations to deliver presentations on national and international platforms including plenary and keynote talks (over 100 to date), prestigious and continuous national and international coverage by important outlets, with the BBC being one such example. The research has been so successful that MALDI MS has now been included and then promoted as a Category B, TLR 2-3 technique in the Home Office/Dstl Fingermark Visualisation Manual launched in 2022.

I undertake casework for the Police in the UK and Europe and for forensic providers with respect to extracting additional intelligence from fingermarks.

I have also started to collaborate with the NHS exploiting the molecular content of fingermarks for clinical diagnostics applications.

I am extremely active in the research field and an advocate for translational research, delivering books, webinars, blogs and trainings on the subject. My extensive and rounded research activities have led to my inclusion in REF 2014 and REF 2021 - becoming the Impact Coordinator for my department, for REF 2021. I was  featured in the case study for the Athena SWAN Competition in 2013 which led to the award of the silver medal and I was named "inspirational woman" in 2015 at 香蕉视频 and was given an award to the career by Proteomass in 2022.

I am heavily involved in teaching activities both through extensive direct contact with students and through devising learning and teaching strategies to enhance students' learning experience. I act as a referee for numerous journals and grant-awarding bodies including STW, MRC and the US Defence Army. I am member of The International Mass Spectrometry Imaging Society, The British Mass Spectrometry Society and part of the prestigious International Fingermark 香蕉视频 Group and European Network of Forensic Science Institutes (only accepting members on invitation) and Fellow of the Higher Education.

Teaching

School of Biosciences and Chemistry

College of Health, Wellbeing and Life Sciences

Subject area

Forensic Mass Spectrometry, Analytical and Bioanalytical Science

Courses

BSc BMS, Chemistry, Biochemistry, MSc in Pharmaceutical Analysis and MSc in Analytical Chemistry

Modules

Separation and Detection techniques, Advanced Analytical Science, Analytical and Bioanalytical Science, 香蕉视频 Projects

香蕉视频

Current research interests lie into the development of MALDI MS Imaging as a platform for a plethora of forensic applications including the analysis of fingermarks, mircobiome in fingerprints, blood and documents (the latter in collaboration with Dr Robert Bradshaw at 香蕉视频).

The project "Detection and mapping of antipsychotics and date rape drugs in fingermarks" is centered on

  • developing sensitive methods for the detection and imaging of these substances and their metabolites in fingerprint
  • linking personal information to identity

The project "Artificial Intelligence based software for the Smart Molecular Imaging of Fingermarks (SMIF)" focusses on

  • development of an AI based software dedicated to fingerprint imaging by mass spectrometry
  • speed up data processing and fingermark image analysis

The project "Method refinement and validation for the operational non presumptive and informative detection of blood in stains and fingermarks" focusses on

  • Expansion of the compatibility MALDI MS based approaches for blood analysis with forensic blood enhancement techniques
  • Discrimination between human and animal blood and blood from other biological fluids
  • Development of new operational workflows for bloodmarks and bloodstains analysis integrating the use of MALDI
  • Investigation of forensic recoverability of blood age
  • Which came first, blood or marks

Featured Projects

  1. University press release [28 Apr 2021] Pioneering fingerprint method developed to help police identify suspects from blood marks 
  2. What can your fingerprints reveal about your lifestyle? 
  3. University press release [20 Feb 2023] Fingerprint breakthrough in breast cancer detection
  4. How I discovered that I could detect breast cancer in fingertip smears, The Bright Ideas  

Relevant Projects

Chemical Profiling and Imaging of fingermarks

MALDI MSP and MALDI MSI method refinement for operational deployment in casework - this project focuses on maximising forensic opportunities from fingerprints by transferring laboratory MALDI MS Fingermark Profiling and Imaging techniques into protocols for routine operational use in casework. This work represents a major breakthrough into how fingerprints are used as forensic evidence. The project aims to deliver both offender profiling and enhance crime contextual information. Integration of these methodologies within the current fingerprinting workflows employed by Yorkshire and the Humber fingerprint identification services is an essential part of these developments. Such refined methodologies create robust and compatible workflows, provide evidence to inform investigations and are suitable to be submitted in a Court of Law. The research has been endorsed and supported by the Home Office CAST, the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (MoD), The Netherlands Forensic Institute and West Yorkshire Police (collaborators). Presently Waters Corp is co-funding a PhD studentship aimed at detecting and mapping antipsychotics and date rape drugs in fingerprints on state of the art and latest generation mass spectrometers.

Multi-informative and specific detection of blood in fingermarks via MALDI MS based strategies

In violent offences, blood is often found at crime scenes. Important intelligence and assistance in event reconstruction can be obtained from ascertaining the presence of blood, its provenance, age and its association with fingermarks (the most used means of biometric identification). Currently used blood detection techniques suffer from “false positives” due to their relatively generic molecular targets; this project aims to develop a proteomic and MALDI MS based multidisciplinary approach for the device of operational workflows providing blood signatures in fingermarks and blood provenance in addition to detecting exogenous substances of forensic relevance. Insights into the donors pathophysiological states and identity are also being gained.

The research has been endorsed and supported by the Home Office CAST, the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (MoD), The Scottish Police Authority and Elite Forensics LLC (US).

Non-invasive detection of breast cancer from fingertip smears.

This project has developed on the back of the molecular fingerprinting work in forensics based on the discovery that fingertip smears, essentially a thin layer of sweat, contain biomarkers of brast cancer that are detectable by MALDI MS. A proof of concept study on 15 patients has shown that the use of MALDI MS combined with proteomics and machine learning enables correct patient classification (benign, early cancer and metastatic) with a accuracy of 98%. Further work is in progress to validate the method and progress it through implementation.

Collaborators and Sponsors

  • Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (UK)
  • London South Bank University (Dr S. Bleay)
  • Yorkshire and Humber Regional Scientific Support (Mr N. Denison and Mr Peter Arnold)
  • Scottish Police Authority (Mr Chris Gannicliffe)
  • Elite Forensics L.t.d. (Dr Glenn Langenburg)
  • University of Bradford

 

Publications

Journal articles

Krishna, R., Langridge, J., Claude, E., Bradshaw, R., Cole, L., & Francese, S. (2025). . Analytica Chimica Acta, 1354.

Kjeldbjerg Lassen, J., Bradshaw, R., Villesen, P., & Francese, S. (2023). . Molecules (Basel, Switzerland), 28 (13).

Frisch, K., Nielsen, K.L., & Francese, S. (2023). . Molecules, 28 (6).

Russo, C., Wyld, L., Da Costa Aubreu, M., Bury, C.S., Heaton, C., Cole, L.M., & Francese, S. (2023). . Scientific Reports, 13 (1).

Kennedy, K., Gannicliffe, C., Cole, L., Sealey, M., & Francese, S. (2022). . Science & Justice, 62 (5), 602-609.

Amin, M.O., Al-Hetlani, E., & Francese, S. (2022). . Microchemical Journal, 178.

(2022). Interdisciplinary forensics: government, academia and industry interaction. Multimedia Tools and Applications, 81 (16), 22609.

Fischer, T., Marchetti-Deschmann, M., Cristina Assis, A., Levin Elad, M., Algarra, M., Barac, M., ... Francese, S. (2022). . Science and Justice, 62 (4), 433-447.

Kennedy, K., Cole, L., Witt, M., Sealey, M., & Francese, S. (2022). . Molecules, 27 (7).

Bury, C.S., Heaton, C., Cole, L., McColm, R., & Francese, S. (2022). . Analytical Methods.

Bleay, S.M., Bailey, M.J., Croxton, R.S., & Francese, S. (2021). . WIREs Forensic Science, 3 (4).

Heaton, C., Witt, M., Cole, L., Eyre, J., Tazzyman, S., McColm, R., & Francese, S. (2021). . Analyst.

Kennedy, K., Benjat, R., Heaton, C., Herman, Y., Oz, C., Elad, M.L., ... Francese, S. (2021). . Forensic Science International.

Bradshaw, R., Wilson, G., Denison, N., & Francese, S. (2020). . Forensic Science International, 110643.

Russo, C., Heaton, C., Flint, L., Voloaca, O., Haywood-Small, S., Clench, M., ... Cole, L. (2020). . Journal of Spectral Imaging, 9, 1-21.

Kennedy, K., Heaton, C., Langenburg, G., Cole, L., Clark, T., Clench, M.R., ... Francese, S. (2020). . Scientific Reports, 10 (1), 17087.

Heaton, C., Bury, C., Patel, E., Bradshaw, R., Wulfert, F., Heeren, R., ... Francese, S. (2020). . Forensic Chemistry, 20 (100271), 1-12.

Cole, L., Clench, M., & Francese, S. (2019). . Adv Exp Med Biol, 1073 (1073), 77-123.

Francese, S. (2019). . Australian journal of forensic sciences.

Francese, S. (2018). . Science & Justice, 58 (6), 397-404.

Flinders, B., Beasley, E., Verlaan, R.M., Cuypers, E., Francese, S., Bassindale, T., ... Heeren, R.M.A. (2017). . Journal of the American Society for Mass Spectrometry, 28 (11), 2462-2468.

Francese, S., Bradshaw, R., & Denison, N. (2017). . The Analyst, 142, 2518-2546.

Bradshaw, R., Denison, N., & Francese, S. (2017). . Analyst, 142 (9), 1581-1590.

Beasley, E., Francese, S., & Bassindale, T. (2016). . Analytical Chemistry, 88 (20), 10328-10334.

Waller, R., Woodroofe, N., Wharton, S.B., Ince, P.G., Francese, S., Heath, P.R., ... Simpson, J.E. (2016). . Journal of Neuroimmunology, 299, 139-146.

Bradshaw, R., Denison, N., & Francese, S. (2016). . Analytical Methods, 8 (37), 6795-6804.

Mitchell, C.A., Donaldson, M., Francese, S., & Clench, M. (2016). . Methods, 104, 93-100.

Deininger, L., Patel, E., Clench, M.R., Sears, V., Sammon, C., & Francese, S. (2016). . Proteomics, 16 (11-12), 1707-1717.

Deininger, L., Patel, E., Clench, M.R., Sears, V., Sammon, C., & Francese, S. (2016). Outside Front Cover: Proteomics goes forensic: Detection and mapping of blood signatures in fingermarks. Proteomics, 16 (11-12), 1.

Patel, E., Cicatiello, P., Deininger, L., Clench, M., Marino, G., Giardina, P., ... Francese, S. (2016). . The Analyst, 141 (1), 191-198.

Patel, E., Cole, L.M., Bradshaw, R., Batubara, A., Mitchell, C.A., Francese, S., & Clench, M. (2015). . Bioanalysis, 7 (1), 91-101.

Reed, H., Stanton, A., Wheat, J., Kelley, J., Davis, L., Rao, W., ... Francese, S. (2015). . Science & justice, 56 (1), 9-17.

Patel, E., Clench, M.R., West, A., Marshall, P.S., Marshall, N., & Francese, S. (2015). Erratum to: Alternative Surfactants for Improved Efficiency of In Situ Tryptic Proteolysis of Fingermarks. Journal of the American Society for Mass Spectrometry, 26 (10), 1795.

Mitchell, C.A., Long, H., Donaldson, M., Francese, S., & Clench, M. (2015). . Lipids in Health and Disease, 14 (1), 84.

Groeneveld, G., de Puit, M., Bleay, S., Bradshaw, R., & Francese, S. (2015). . Scientific Reports, 5 (11716).

Bailey, M.J., Bradshaw, R., Francese, S., Salter, T.L., Costa, C., Ismail, M., ... de Puit, M. (2015). . Analyst, 140 (18), 6254-6259.

Patel, E., Clench, M., West, A., Marshall, P.S., Marshall, N., & Francese, S. (2015). . Journal of The American Society for Mass Spectrometry, 26 (6), 862-872.

Bradshaw, R., Bleay, S., Clench, M., & Francese, S. (2014). . Science & justice, 54 (2), 110-7.

Francese, S., Bradshaw, R., Ferguson, L.S., Wolstenholme, R., Clench, M.R., & Bleay, S. (2013). . The Analyst, 138 (15), 4215.

Bradshaw, R., Bleay, S., Wolstenholme, R., Clench, M., & Francese, S. (2013). . Forensic Science International, 232 (1-3), 111-124.

Bradshaw, R., Wolstenholme, R., Ferguson, L.S., Sammon, C., Mader, K., Claude, E., ... Francese, S. (2013). . The Analyst, 138 (9), 2546.

Hart, P.J., Francese, S., Woodroofe, M.N., & Clench, M.R. (2013). . International Journal for Ion Mobility Spectrometry, 16 (2), 71-83.

Ferguson, L.S., Creasey, S., Wolstenholme, R., Clench, M.R., & Francese, S. (2013). . Journal of Mass Spectrometry, 48 (6), 677-684.

Francese, S., Bradshaw, R., Flinders, B., Mitchell, C., Bleay, S., Cicero, L., & Clench, M.R. (2013). Curcumin: a multipurpose matrix for MALDI mass spectrometry imaging applications. Analytical chemistry, 85 (10), 5240-5248.

Djidja, M.-.C., Francese, S., Claude, E., Loadman, P., Sutton, C., Shynder, S., ... Clench, M. (2013). . Current Analytical Chemistry, 9 (2), 212-225.

Bradshaw, R., Rao, W., Wolstenholme, R., Clench, M.R., Bleay, S., & Francese, S. (2012). . Forensic Science International, 222 (1), 318-326.

Ferguson, L.S., Wulfert, F., Wolstenholme, R., Fonville, J.M., Clench, M., Carolan, V.A., & Francese, S. (2012). . The Analyst, 137 (20), 4686-4692.

Seppala, U., Francese, S., Turillazi, S., Moneti, G., Clench, M., & Barber, D. (2012). . Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 129 (5), 1314-1320.

Bailey, M.J., Bright, N.J., Croxton, R.S., Francese, S., Ferguson, L.S., Hinder, S., ... Bleay, S. (2012). Chemical characterization of latent fingerprints by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization, time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry, mega electron volt secondary mass spectrometry, gas chromatography/mass spectrometry, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic imaging: an intercomparison. Analytical chemistry, 84 (20), 8514-8523.

Trim, P.J., Djidja, M.-.C., Muharib, T., Cole, L.M., Flinders, B., Carolan, V., ... Clench, M. (2012). . Journal of Proteomics, 75 (16), 4931-4940.

Waller, R., Woodroofe, M.N., Francese, S., Heath, P.R., Wharton, S.B., Ince, P.G., ... Simpson, J.E. (2012). . Journal of Neuroscience Methods, 208 (2), 108-113.

Bradshaw, R., Wolstenholme, R., Blackledge, R.D., Clench, M.R., Ferguson, L.S., & Francese, S. (2011). . Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry, 25 (3), 415-422.

Ferguson, L., Bradshaw, R., Wolstenholme, R., Clench, M., & Francese, S. (2011). . Analytical Chemistry, 83 (14), 5585-5591.

Hart, P.J., Francese, S., Claude, E., Woodroofe, M.N., & Clench, M.R. (2011). . Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry, 401 (1), 115-125.

Avery, J.L., McKewen, A., Flinders, B., Francese, S., & Clench, M. (2011). . Xenobiotica, 41 (8), pp 735-742.

Donnini, S., Finetti, F., Francese, S., Boscaro, F., Dani, F., Maset, F., ... Ziche, M. (2011). . Biochemical Journal, 440 (2), 251-262.

Dani, F.R., Michelucci, E., Francese, S., Mastrobuoni, G., Cappellozza, S., La Marca, G., ... Pelosi, P. (2011). . Chemical senses.

Baracchi, D., Francese, S., & Turillazzi, S. (2011). . Toxicon, 58 (6-7), 550-557.

Djidja, M.C., Claude, E., Snel, M.F., Francese, S., Scriven, P., Carolan, V., & Clench, M.R. (2010). . Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry, 397 (2), 587-601.

Trim, P.J., Djidja, M.C., Atkinson, S.J., Oakes, K., Cole, L.M., Anderson, D.M.G., ... Clench, M.R. (2010). . Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry, 397 (8), 3409-3419.

Scollato, A., Terreni, A., Caldini, A., Salvadori, B., Gallina, P., Francese, S., ... Di Lorenzo, N. (2010). . Neurological Sciences, 31 (3), 283-291.

Wolstenholme, R., Bradshaw, R., Clench, M.R., & Francese, S. (2009). . Rapid communications in mass spectrometry, 23 (19), 3031-3039.

Djidja, M.C., Francese, S., Loadman, P.M., Sutton, C.W., Scriven, P., Claude, E., ... Clench, M.R. (2009). . Proteomics, 9 (10), 2750-2763.

Djidja, M.-.C., Claude, E., Snel, M.F., Scriven, P., Francese, S., Carolan, V., & Clench, M.R. (2009). . Journal of Proteome 香蕉视频, 8 (10), 4876-4884.

Grossi, C., Francese, S., Casini, A., Rosi, M.C., Luccarini, I., Fiorentini, A., ... Casamenti, F. (2009). . Journal of Alzheimer's disease, 17 (2), 423-440.

Trim, P.J., Francese, S., & Clench, M.R. (2009). . Bioanalysis, 1 (2), 309-319.

Francese, S., Dani, F.R., Traldi, P., Mastrobuoni, G., Pieraccini, G., & Moneti, G. (2009). . Combinatorial chemistry & high throughput screening, 12 (2), 156-174.

Cavatorta, V., Sforza, S., Mastrobuoni, G., Pieraccini, G., Francese, S., Moneti, G., ... Marchelli, R. (2009). . Journal of mass spectrometry, 44 (6), 891-897.

Francese, S., Lambardi, D., Mastrobuoni, G., la Marca, G., Moneti, G., & Turillazzi, S. (2009). . Journal of the American Society for Mass Spectrometry, 20 (1), 112-123.

Dani, F.R., Francese, S., Mastrobuoni, G., Felicioli, A., Caputo, B., Simard, F., ... Turillazzi, S. (2008). . PLoS ONE, 3 (7), e2822.

La Marca, G., Malvagia, S., Filippi, L., Fiorini, P., Innocenti, M., Luceri, F., ... Guerrini, R. (2008). . Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis, 48 (5), 1392-1396.

Casini, A., Gabbiani, C., Mastrobuoni, G., Pellicani, R.Z., Intini, F.P., Arnesano, F., ... Messori, L. (2007). Insights into the molecular mechanisms of protein platination from a case study: the reaction of anticancer platinum(II) iminoethers with horse heart cytochrome c. Biochemistry, 46 (43), 12220-12230.

Stockley, P.G., Rolfsson, O., Thompson, G.S., Basnak, G., Francese, S., Stonehouse, N.J., ... Ashcroft, A.E. (2007). A simple, RNA-mediated allosteric switch controls the pathway to formation of a T=3 viral capsid. Journal of molecular biology, 369 (2), 541-552.

Turillazzi, S., Bruschini, C., Lambardi, D., Francese, S., Spadolini, I., & Mastrobuoni, G. (2007). Comparison of the medium molecular weight venom fractions from five species of common social wasps by MALDI-TOF spectra profiling. Journal of mass spectrometry : JMS, 42 (2), 199-205.

Casini, A., Mastrobuoni, G., Temperini, C., Gabbiani, C., Francese, S., Moneti, G., ... Messori, L. (2007). ESI mass spectrometry and X-ray diffraction studies of adducts between anticancer platinum drugs and hen egg white lysozyme. Chemical communications (Cambridge, England), (2), 156-158.

Prosinecki, V., Botelho, H.M., Francese, S., Mastrobuoni, G., Moneti, G., Urich, T., ... Gomes, C.M. (2006). A proteomic approach toward the selection of proteins with enhanced intrinsic conformational stability. Journal of proteome research, 5 (10), 2720-2726.

Francese, S., Cozzolino, A., Caputo, I., Esposito, C., Martino, M., Gaeta, C., ... Neri, P. (2005). Transglutaminase surface recognition by peptidocalix[4]arene diversomers. Tetrahedron Letters, 46 (10), 1611-1615.

Stockley, P.G., Ashcroft, A.E., Francese, S., Thompson, G.S., Ranson, N.A., Smith, A.M., ... Stonehouse, N.J. (2005). Dissecting the Fine Details of Assembly of a T鈥=鈥3 Phage Capsid. Computational and Mathematical Methods in Medicine, 6 (2), 119-125.

Ruoppolo, M., Orr霉, S., D'Amato, A., Francese, S., Rovero, P., Marino, G., & Esposito, C. (2003). Analysis of transglutaminase protein substrates by functional proteomics. Protein science : a publication of the Protein Society, 12 (6), 1290-1297.

Ruoppolo, M., Orr霉, S., Francese, S., Caputo, I., & Esposito, C. (2003). Structural characterization of transglutaminase-catalyzed cross-linking between glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase and polyglutamine repeats. Protein science : a publication of the Protein Society, 12 (1), 170-179.

Orru, S., Ruoppolo, M., Francese, S., Vitagliano, L., Marino, G., & Esposito, C. (2002). Identification of tissue transglutaminase-reactive lysine residues in glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase. Protein science : a publication of the Protein Society, 11 (1), 137-146.

Conference papers

Sklavos, N., & Francese, S. (2020). MULTI-modal Imaging of FOREnsic SciEnce Evidence: MULTI-FORESEE Project. 2020 23rd Euromicro Conference on Digital System Design (DSD), 386-392.

Deininger, L., Schramm, J., Langenburg, G., Clench, M.R., Sears, V., Sammon, C., & Francese, S. (2017). BOTTOM UP PROTEOMICS FOR DETECTION AND PROVENANCE DETERMINATION OF BLOOD IN STAINS AND FINGERMARKS. FORENSIC SCIENCE INTERNATIONAL, 277, 87.

Waller, R., Heath, P.R., Woodroofe, M.N., Francese, S., Wharton, S.B., Ince, P.G., ... Simpson, J.E. (2012). Microarray analysis of the astrocyte transcriptome in normal appearing white matter in multiple sclerosis. JOURNAL OF NEUROIMMUNOLOGY, 253 (1-2), 54.

Seppala, U., Francese, S., Turilazzi, S., Moneti, G., Clench, M., & Barber, D. (2012). In Situ Imaging Of Honeybee (Apis Mellifera) Venom Components From Immunotherapy Preparations. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 129 (2), AB113.

Rolfsson, O., Toropova, K., Morton, V., Francese, S., Basnak, G., Thompson, G.S., ... Stockley, P.G. (2008). . Computational and Mathematical Methods in Medicine, 9 (3-4), 339-349.

Moneti, G., Francese, S., Mastrobuoni, G., Pieraccini, G., Seraglia, R., Valitutti, G., & Traldi, P. (2007). Do collisions inside the collision cell play a relevant role in CID-LIFT experiments? Journal of mass spectrometry : JMS, 42 (1), 117-126.

Book chapters

Francese, S., & King, R.S.P. (2024). Preface. In Francese, S., & King, R.S.P. (Eds.) Driving Forensic Innovation in the 21st Century: Crossing the Valley of Death. (pp. vii-viii). Springer

Francese, S., & King, R.S.P. (2024). Preface. In Francese, S., & King, R.S.P. (Eds.) Driving Forensic Innovation in the 21st Century: Crossing the Valley of Death. (pp. vii-viii). Springer

Francese, S., & Heaton, C. (2023). Emerging Technologies: Use of Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionisation Mass Spectrometry for the Analysis of Fingermark and Blood Evidence. In Applications of Mass Spectrometry for the Provision of Forensic Intelligence. (pp. 159-183). Royal Society of Chemistry:

(2023). Preface. (pp. P005-P006). Royal Society of Chemistry:

Raptakis, E., Shah, A.J., Gharbia, S.E., Shah, L.M.N., Francese, S., Tranfield, E.Y., ... Shah, H.N. (2023). Progress in the Microbiological Applications of Mass Spectrometry: from Electron Impact to Soft Ionization Techniques, MALDI鈥怲OF MS and Beyond. (pp. 1-44). Wiley:

Francese, S., & Bradshaw, R. (2021). New Chemical Imaging Approaches to Fingermark Dating by Mass Spectrometry. In Technologies for Fingermark Age Estimations: A Step Forward. (pp. 237-259). Springer International Publishing:

Bradshaw, R., & Francese, S. (2021). Chapter 15. MALDI Mass Spectrometry Imaging in the Forensic Arena. In New Developments in Mass Spectrometry. (pp. 359-386). Royal Society of Chemistry:

Francese, S. (2016). Techniques for Fingermark Analysis Using MALDI MS: A Practical Overview. In Advances in MALDI and Laser-Induced Soft Ionization Mass Spectrometry. (pp. 93-128). Springer International Publishing:

Reed, H., Stanton, A., & Francese, S. (2014). . In Designa 2013 : interface. Proceedings. (pp. 191-208). Covilha: Universidade da Beira Interior (UBI)

Francese, S., & Clench, M.R. (2010). . In Shah, H.N., & Gharbia, S.E. (Eds.) Mass Spectrometry for Microbial Proteomics. (pp. 91-116). Wiley:

Books

Francese, S., & S. P. King, R. (Eds.). (2024). Driving Forensic Innovation in the 21st Century. Springer International Publishing.

Francese, S., & S. P. King, R. (Eds.). (2024). Driving Forensic Innovation in the 21st Century. Springer International Publishing.

Francese, S. (2019). Preface.

Theses / Dissertations

Heaton, C.E.G. (2022). . (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by Francese, S., Cole, L., & McColm, R.

Kennedy, K. (2022). . (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by Francese, S.

Deininger, L. (2018). . (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by Francese, S.

Martin, S. (2016). . (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by Lenz, E., Clench, M., Francese, S., & Temesi, D.

Hart, P.J. (2012). . (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by Clench, M., Woodroofe, N., & Francese, S.

Patents

Reed, H., Francese, S., Wheat, J., & Wolstenholme, R. (2014). . WO2014016563 (A1).

Posters

Witt, M., Heaton, C., Kennedy, K., Langenburg, G., & Francese, S. (2021). . Presented at: American Society for Mass Spectrometry (ASMS) 2021 Annual Conference, Philadelphia, PA, USA, 2021

Other activities

  • Associate Editor for Analyst
  • PhD external examiner
  • International Consultant
  • External Examiner for BSc in Chemistry, Forensic Science and Pharmaceutical Analysis at Kingston University
  • Media and lay audience engagement

Postgraduate supervision

Currently supervising three PhD students, of whom one (Rohith Krishna) as DoS.I support any project involving mass spectrometry, particularly Mass Spectrometry Imaging.

  • Oct 2023 - to date Rohith Krishna - "Detection of antipsycotics and date raper drugs by state of the art mass spectrometry Imaging"
  • Oct 2023 - to date - George Ward -"Human Identification through a combined Genomics Mass spectrometry microbial forensics Approach"
  • Oct 2022- to date -Veronika -Veronika Tibljas- Multimodal Imaging approach for the identification of counterfeits and examination of questioned documents"

Previous supervision:

  • Oct 2023-March 2024 - Cameron Heaton - Testing Molecular fingerprinting in cold cases"
    Josh 
  • Feb 2019-Aug 2022 - Catherine Kennedy - "Method refinement and validation for the operational non presumptive and informative detection of blood in stains and fingermarks."
  • Jan 2019-Jan 2020 - Dr Cristina Russo - "Non-invasive detection of breast cancer from fingertip smears"
  • Oct 2017-April 2021 - Dr Cameron Heaton - "Human identification through advanced forensic mass spectrometry of blood and fingermarks"
  • Oct 2014 - Oct 2017 - Lisa Deininger - "Multi-informative and specific detection of blood in fingermarks via MALDI MS based strategies"
  • Nov 2012 - Nov 2016 - Ekta Patel - "Using ion mobility mass spectrometry to investigate the distribution and affect of dosed compounds on endogenous molecules"
  • Nov 2014 - Apr 2016 - Dr Robert Bradshaw - "Chemical Profiling of fingermarks: MALDI MSP and MALDI MSI method refinement for operational deployment in casework”
  • Oct 2011 - Oct 2014 - Robert Bradshaw - “Integration of MALDI MSI into the Home Office operational fingermark examination workflow”
  • Oct 2009 - Oct 2012 - Leesa Ferguson - “Analysis of composition of latent fingerprints by spectroscopic imaging techniques”

Media

Recent stories about my fingermark research have attracted worldwide coverage in trade and online publications, including BBC's 'The One Show', 'Click', 'Crimewatch Roadshaw' and 'BBC breakfast', as well as overseas programmes such as the German 'Finde den Lügner' ('Find the Liar').

BBC

  • BBC Crimewatch Roadshow, 13 June 2018
  • BBC Radio World, 20 July 2015, https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p02w11dz , ~ 80 million listeners [from 43m]
  • BBC Crimewatch Roadshow, 20 June 2014 ~ 1 million viewers
  • BBC Radio World 29 March 2014~ 80 million listeners
  • BBC Radio 4 Today 28 March 2014https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b03yqv6r [from 01hr21m50s]~4 million listeners
  • BBC News On line 28 March 2014 https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-26668838~500,000 readers
  • BBC Radio 5 28 March 2014https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b03ymn0l [from 40m30s]
  • BBC Radio Wales https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b03z28v1 [from 01hr56m20s]
  • BBC One Click 29 March 2014 https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/n13xtmd5~4 million viewers
  • BBC World news Mar 2014~300 million viewers
  • BBC Breakfast Mar 2014~1 million viewers
  • BBC Radio Sheffield [2 April 2014]
  • BBC 1, The One Show: 28th April 2012, ~5 million viewers
  • BBC World Service, Radio 4 Science in Action 29/01/2012 https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p00n0f3d/Science_In_Action_26_01_2012/9 min in
  • BBC news 19/01/2011, https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-12229312
  • Front Page BBC News 04/08/2011.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-14386520

Other TV shows

Pro 7 German National channel, 16th June 2015, Finde den lugner, ~1.8 million viewers: https://www.galileo.tv/videos/finde-den-luegner-16/

Radio

  • Real Radio [29 Mar 2014] Hourly bulletins
  • Hallam FM[20 Jan 2011]
  • Peak FM[20 Jan 2011]

Websites (selection)

  • Thinking Digital Conference [8 August 2019] 
  • The Verge [9 Apr 2014] Red-handed: can we make fingerprints better at catching criminals? https://www.theverge.com/2014/4/9/5597116/red-handed-fingerprints-better-catching-criminals#comments
  • CBR Online [1 Apr 2014] UK researchers’ latest fingerprint tech can recognise gender More coverage on the University's ground-breaking research into new fingerprint technology that can detect traces of drugs and even the sex of the criminal. https://www.cbronline.com/news/security/uk-researchers-new-fingerprint-tech-can-recognise-gender-010414-4207072
  • Indian Express [31 March 2014] New fingerprinting technique can identify suspect’s gender https://indianexpress.com/article/technology/science/new-fingerprinting-technique-can-identify-suspects-gender/
  • ITV.com [29 Mar 2014] https://www.itv.com/news/calendar/update/2014-03-29/university-fingerprint-technology-tested-at-crime-scenes/
  • Chemical and Engineering News [8 May, 2013] Analysing Fingerprints with a Dash of Tumeric”, https://cen.acs.org/articles/91/web/2013/05/Analyzing-Fingerprints-Dash-Turmeric.html?h=-519488094
  • Daily News Analysis, India [21 Jul 2013] Tumeric Powder to be used in Forensicshttps://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report-turmeric-powder-to-be-used-in-forsenics-1863665
  • Royal Society of Chemistry, Chemistry World- [March 2012]Another brick in the Whorl,: https://www.rsc.org/chemistryworld/Issues/2012/March/another-brick-in-the-whorl.asp
  • Science Daily [19 Jan 2011] New Technique to Help Catch Sexual Offenders: Scientists Detect Condom Lubricant On Fingermarks for the First Time https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/01/110119132517.htm
  • The Engineer [19 Jan 2011] Lubricant in fingermarks could catch out sexual offenders https://www.theengineer.co.uk/news/lubricant-in-fingermarks-could-catch-out-sexual-offenders/1006999.article
  • Science Daily [3 Aug 2011, circulation 114,066] Pioneering Fingermark Technology Uses Mass Spectrometry Imaging to Provide Crime Scene Investigators With Key Extra Details https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/07/110729175002.htm
  • Cordis News [11 Jun 2010] Criminal clues at your fingertips https://cordis.europa.eu/fetch?CALLER=EN_NEWS&ACTION=D&SESSION=&RCN=32195
  • Sky news [12 May 2010] Burglars' Diets Could Land Them In Jail,https://news.sky.com/story/779411/burglars-diets-could-land-them-in-jail

Newspapers (selection)

  • Yorkshire Post [13 Aug 2015] https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/main-topics/general-news/four-out-of-every-five-yorkshire-burglaries-go-unsolved-1-7409148 (mention to SHU Fingermark 香蕉视频 Group)
  • The Times [30 June 2015] (circulation 394,448) https://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/science/article4484295.ece?share%20%3E%20Token=ea146b42a23595b4cef12f3692513083%3E
  • El periodico [13 April 2014] (circulation 125,000) La nueva frontera de las huellas dactilares https://www.elperiodico.com/es/noticias/sociedad/nueva-frontera-las-huellas-dactilares-3249273
  • The Times [29 Mar 2014] (circulation 394,448) Fingerprint test unlocks the secret of your sweat https://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/science/article4048706.ece
  • The Star [June 2013] Spice is hot at cracking crimehttps://www.thestar.co.uk/news/local/spice-is-hot-at-cracking-crime-1-5739651
  • Daily Mail [5 Aug 2011, circulation 4.2 million] Fingerprints breakthrough will reveal if criminal suspect has taken drugs or been in contact with explosives https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2022842/Fingerprints-breakthrough-reveal-criminal-suspect-taken-drugs-contact-explosives.html#ixzz2dq3TIwHX
  • Police Professional [28 Jul 2011] Pioneering Fingerprint technology
  • Yorkshire Post [27 Jul 2011] University adds to fingerprint technology https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/at-aglance/mainsection/university_adds_to_fingerprint_technology_1_3617626
  • The Engineer [26 Jul 2011,circulation 31,241] Home Office funds research into fingerprinting technology https://www.theengineer.co.uk/sectors/military-and-defence/news/home-office-funds-research-into-fingerprinting-technology/1009499.article
  • Canberra Times (Australia) [30 Jan 2011] Lubricant leaves vital signature
  • Sheffield Star [21 Jan 2011] Innovation to help snare sex offendershttps://www.thestar.co.uk/news/Innovation-to-help-snare-sex.6697726.jp
  • Shropshire Star [20 Jan 2011] Scientists now able to trace offenders.
  • Yorkshire Post [20 Jan 2011] Scientists close net on rapists using condoms https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/Scientists-close-net-on-rapists.6696211.jp
  • The Engineer [19 Jan 2011,] Lubricant in fingermarks could catch out sexual offendershttps://www.theengineer.co.uk/news/lubricant-in-fingermarks-could-catch-out-sexual-offenders/1006999.article
  • Sheffield Telegraph [13 May 2010] Academics point finger at criminals, https://www.sheffieldtelegraph.co.uk/news/Academics-point-finger-at-criminals.6291703.jp
  • Yorkshire Post [13 May 2010, circulation 130,000] 香蕉视频 into prints analysis will aid crime fight https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/main-topics/local-stories/research-into-prints-analysis-will-aid-crime-fight-1-2574122

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