Publications

Brian Gorey, Michelle Boyle, Clíona M. O’Brien, John O’Shaughnessy, Dyan Daly, Annette Forde. Gunshot Residue (GSR): Frequency of residue types encountered in case work and background levels on control samples. Forensic Science International, 2024. Volume 359, June 2024,112029. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0379073824001105

G. Davidson, M. Lee-Gorman, A. Davidson. The transfer of spermatozoa onto children’s underwear during normal domestic laundering activities. Forensic Science International, Volume 364, November 2024, 112250.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0379073824003323

Jonathan Finnis, Geraldine Davidson, Karen Alexander, Jennie Lewis, Maggie Boyce, Finlay Kennedy, David Casey, Nicola Clayson, Isla Fraser, Charlotte Murphy, Charlotte Hargreaves, Nighean Stevenson, Sharon Doole, Carol Rogers.  Evaluation of indirect transfer mechanisms of semen under varying test conditions. Science & Justice, Volume 64, Issue 1, 2024, Pages 95-103.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1355030623001314

Jones, M. Logan, G. Davidson, Murphy C, Strahorn P. Vaginal drainage of semen in underwear: A forensic study. Science Justice. Issue 6. November 2024. Pages 605-613. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1355030624000947

Lorna Flanagan, Charlotte Murphy, Paula Savage, Michelle Breathnach , Jennifer Ryan. The importance of male underwear in cases of alleged sexual assault. Forensic Science. Volume 69, Issue 4, July 2024, Pages 1481-1489. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1556-4029.15539

Sarah Killoran, Sinead McNamara, Pierce Kavanagh, John O’Brien and Rodney Lakes. Identification of N-pyrrolidino protonitazene in powders sold as heroin and associated with overdose clusters in Dublin and Cork, Ireland. Drug Testing and Analysis. Volume 17, Issue 3, March 2025, Pages 350-357.

https://analyticalsciencejournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/dta.3707

Sharon Doole, Maggie Boyce, Charlotte Hargreaves, Geraldine Davidson, Karen Alexander, Isla Fraser, Charlotte Murphy, Marce Lee-Gorman, Carol Rogers. Examining the transfer of male DNA onto female underwear in simulated non sexual social interaction versus digital penetration to assist in the evaluation of results in casework scenarios. Science & Justice Volume 63, Issue 1, 2023, Pages 90-108. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1355030622001496

Jonathan Finnis, Geraldine Davidson, Isla Fraser, Charlotte Murphy, Charlotte Hargreaves, Nighean Stevenson, Sharon Doole, Carol Rogers. Illuminating the benefits and limitations of forensic light sources. Science & Justice Volume 63, Issue 1, 2023, Pages 127-134. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1355030622001575

J.E. Allard, G. Davidson, A. Baird, M. Boyce, S. Jones, J. Lewis, C. Lowrie, B.M. McBride. The relevance of false positive acid phosphatase reactions indicative of the presence of seminal fluid from oral and vaginal samples. Science & Justice Volume 63, Issue 4, 2023, Pages 477-484. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1355030623000333

Hayley Douglas, Isla Fraser, Gerry Davidson, Charlotte Murphy, Marce Lee Gorman, Maggie Boyce, Sharon Doole. Assessing the background levels of body fluids on hands. Science & Justice Volume 63, Issue 4, 2023, Pages 493-499. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1355030623000485

Taylor, G. Davidson, M. Boyce, C. Murphy, S. Doole, C. Rogers, I. Fraser. Background levels of body fluids and DNA on the shaft of the penis and associated underpants in the absence of sexual activity. Science & Justice Volume 63, Issue 4, 2023, Pages 529-536. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1355030623000655

Jonathan Finnis, Charlotte Murphy, Geraldine Davidson, Karen Alexander, Jennie Lewis, Maggie Boyce, Finlay Kennedy, David Casey, Nicola Clayson, Isla Fraser, Charlotte Hargreaves, Nighean Stevenson, Sharon Doole, Carol Rogers. Enzyme activity, DNA degradation and drying times of semen, saliva and vaginal material. Science & Justice Volume 63, Issue 6, 2023, Pages 663-670. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1355030623000886

Charlotte Murphy, Forensic Science Regulator DNA Specialist Group. Guidance for Y-STR profiling. Forensic Science Regulator, Guidance, 2023. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/y-str-profiling

Charlotte Murphy and Jennifer  Ryan. Evaluative approach to semen transfer in a case of alleged sexual assault. A Case Study. Science & Justice 62 (2022) 448–454 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1355030622000764

Ben Mallinder, Susan Pope, Jim Thomson, Lesley-Ann Beck, Andrew McDonald, Dorothy Ramsbottom, Denise Syndercombe Court, Des Vanhinsbergh, Michael Barber, Ian Evett, Kevin Sullivan, Jonathan Whitaker. ‘Interpretation and reporting of mixed DNA profiles by seven forensic laboratories in the UK and Ireland’; Forensic Science International: Genetics 58 (2022) 102674. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1872497322000151

 Jonathan Finnis, Geraldine Davidson, Isla Fraser, Charlotte Murphy, Charlotte Hargreaves, Nighean Stevenson, Sharon Doole, Carol Rogers. Illuminating the benefits and limitations of forensic light sources. Science & Justice, Vol 63, Issue 1 (2022), https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1355030622001575

 Charlotte Murphy, K. Alexander, M. Stark and G. Davidson. Novel recovery methods for biological materials in cases of alleged sexual assault: A word of caution. Science and Justice, Volume 62, Issue 5, September 2022, Pages 621-623 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1355030622001137

Carol Downey, Audrey O’Donnell, Gavin McLaughlin, Geraldine O’Neill, John O’Brien, Pierce Kavanagh.  An unusual detection of 2-amino-3-(2-chlorobenzoyl)-5-ethylthiophene and 2-methylamino-5-chlorobenzophenone in illicit yellow etizolam tablets marked “5617” seized in the Republic of Ireland. Wiley Analytical Science: Drug Testing and Analysis, Volume 14, March 2022, Pages 531-538. https://analyticalsciencejournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/toc/19427611/2022/14/3

Patrick Kelly and Edward Connolly. The prevalence and persistence of saliva in vehicles. Forensic Science International: Genetics, Volume 53, July 2021, 102530.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1872497321000685

Robert Kennedy, Gavin McLaughlin, Shane O’Malley, David Casey. An evaluation of the SIRCHIE Nark®II Presumptive Drug Testing (PDT) kit for the identification of Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and Methylamphetamine (MA) in casework samples at Forensic Science Ireland. Forensic Science Ireland 2021.

Shane O’Malley Drug Data 2019. Chemical Analysis Department, Forensic Science Ireland Contact: Dr Shane O’Malley email: somalley@fsi.gov.ie

Shane O’Malley Benzodiazepines and other medications 2019, Chemical Analysis Department, Forensic Science Ireland Contact: Dr Shane O’Malley Forensic Science Ireland.

Sarah Hanniffy and Yvonne Kavanagh Irish drug quantification trends for cocaine, diamorphine and amphetamine. Drugnet Issue 77. https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/34277/

Sarah Hanniffy, Rachel Fagan, Anita McHugh-Moran, Rachel Moran Amphetamine Quantification Report 2020 (Internal Publication). Forensic Science Ireland

The Chemical Analysis Department, FSI.  Quantification Summary 2016-2019”. Cocaine, diamorphine and amphetamine quants. Forensic Science Ireland 2021

Carol Downey, Audrey O’Donnell, Gavin McLaughlin, Geraldine O’Neill, John O’Brien, Pierce Kavanagh.  An unusual detection of 2-amino-3-(2-chlorobenzoyl)-5-ethylthiophene and 2-methylamino-5-chlorobenzophenone in illicit yellow etizolam tablets marked “5617” seized in the Republic of Ireland. Wiley Analytical Science: Drug Testing and Analysis, Volume 14, March 2022, Pages 531-538. https://analyticalsciencejournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/toc/19427611/2022/14/3

John S. Buckleton, Jo-Anne Bright, Anne Ciecko, Maarten Kruijver, Benjamin Mallinder, Alan Magee, Simon Malsom, Tamyra Moretti, Steven Weitz, Tod Bille, Sarah Noël, Rachel H. Oefelein, Brian Peck, Timothy Kalafut, Duncan Taylor. Response to: Commentary on: Bright et al. (2018) Internal validation of STRmix™ – A multi laboratory response to PCAST, Forensic Science International: Genetics, 34: 11-24. Forensic Science International: Genetics. Volume 44, January 2021 102198. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1872497319303394

M Jang, C Costa, J Bunch, B Gibson,M  Ismail, V Palitsin, R Webb , M Hudson , MJ Bailey . On the relevance of cocaine detection in a fingerprint. Scientific Reports. Volume 6, 2020 February . https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32029797/

Catia Costa, Mahado Ismail, Derek Stevenson, Brian Gibson, Roger Webb, Melanie Bailey.  Distinguishing between Contact and Administration of Heroin from a Single Fingerprint using High Resolution Mass Spectrometry. Journal of Analytical Toxicology. Volume 44, Issue April 2020, Pagers 218-225. https://academic.oup.com/jat/article/44/3/218/5611271

Colette May, Carol Downey, John Power, P. and Pierce A Kavanagh P. An unusual detection of tert-butyl-4- anilinopiperidine-1-carboxylate in seizures of falsified ‘Xanax’ tablets and in items in a suspected heroin seizure submitted by Irish law enforcement. Wiley Analytical Science: Drug Testing and Analysis, Volume 12, Issue 9, September 2020, Pages 1387-1392. https://analyticalsciencejournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/dta.2884

Bianca Szkuta, Ricky Ansell, Lina Bois, Edward Connolly, Ate D. Kloosterman, Bas Kokshoorn, Louise G. McKenna, Kristy Steensma, Roland A.H.van Oorschot. DNA transfer to worn upper garments during different activities and contacts: An inter-laboratory study. Forensic Science International: Genetics Volume 46, May 2020, 102268. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1872497320300399

Jo-Anne Bright, Kevin Cheng, Zane Kerr, Catherine McGovern, Hannah Kelly,Tamyra R. Moretti, Michael A. Smith, Frederick R. Bieber, Bruce Budowle, Michael D. Coble, Rashed Alghafri, Paul Stafford Allen, Amy Barber, Vickie Beamer, Christina Buettner, Melanie Russell, Christian Gehrig, Tacha Hicks, Jessica Charak, Kate Cheong-Wing, John Buckleton. STRmix™ collaborative exercise on DNA mixture interpretation. Forensic Science International: Genetics, Volume 40, May 2019, Pages 1-8. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1872497318305192

Bianca Szkuta, Ricky Ansell, Lina Boiso, Ate D. Kloosterman, Bas Kokshoorn, Louise G McKenna, Kristy Steensma, Roland A.H. van Oorschot. Assessment of the transfer, persistence, prevalence and recovery of DNA traces from clothing: An inter-laboratory study on worn upper garments. Forensic Science International: Genetics, Volume 42, September 2019, pages 56-68. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1872497319300444

Charlotte Murphy, June Kenna, Lorna Flanagan, Marce Lee Gorman, Clara Boland, Jennifer Ryan. A Study of the Background Levels of Male DNA on Underpants Worn by Females. Journal of Forensic Sciences, Volume 65, Issue 2, pages 399-405. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1556-4029.14198

Gavin McLaughlin, Michael H. Baumann, Pierce V. Kavanagh, Noreen Morris, John D. Power, Geraldine Dowling, Brendan Twamley, John O’Brien, Gary Hessman, Folker Westphal, Donna Walther, Simon D. Brandt.  Synthesis, analytical characterization, and monoamine transporter activity of the new psychoactive substance 4-methylphenmetrazine (4-MPM), with differentiation from its ortho- and meta- positional isomers. Drug Testing and Analysis: Volume 10, Issue 9, September 2018, Pages 1404-1416. https://analyticalsciencejournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/toc/19427611/2018/10/9

Alan M. Magee, Michelle Breathnach, Stephen Doak, Fiona Thornton, Conor Noone, Louise G. McKenna. Wearer and non-wearer DNA on the collars and cuffs of upper garments of worn clothing. Forensic Science International: Genetics, Volume 34, May 2018, pages 152-161. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1872497318300991

Jo-Anne Bright, Rebecca Richards, Maarten Kruijver, Hannah Kelly, Catherine McGovern, Alan Magee, Andrew McWhorter, Anne Ciecko, Brian Peck, Chase Baumgartner, Christina Buettner, Scott McWilliams, Claire McKenna, Colin Gallacher, Ben Mallinder, Darren Wright, Deven Johnson, Dorothy Catella, Eugene Lien, Craig O’Connor, John S. Buckleton. Internal validation of STRmix™ – A multi laboratory response to PCAST. Forensic Science International: Genetics, Volume 34, May 2018, pages 11-24. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1872497318300103

Peter Gill, Tacha Hicks, John M. Butler, Ed Connolly, Leonor Gusmão, Bas Kokshoorn, Niels Morling, Roland A.H. van Oorschot, Walther Parson, Mechthild Prinz, Peter M. Schneider, Titia Sijen, Duncan Taylor. DNA commission of the International society for forensic genetics: Assessing the value of forensic biological evidence – Guidelines highlighting the importance of propositions: Part I: evaluation of DNA profiling comparisons given (sub-) source propositions. Forensic Science International: Genetics, Volume 36, September  2018, pages 189-202.

Bas Kokshoorn, Lambertus H.J. Aarts, Ricky Ansell, Edward Connolly, Weine Drotz, Ate D. Kloosterman, Louise G. McKenna, Bianca Szkuta, Roland A.H. van Oorschot.  Sharing data on DNA transfer, persistence, prevalence and recovery: Arguments for harmonization and standardization. Forensic Science International: Genetics, Volume 37, November  2018, pages 260-269.

David G. Casey, Katarina Domijan, Sarah MacNeill, Damien Rizet, Declan O’Connell, Jennifer Ryan. The Persistence of Sperm and the Development of Time Since Intercourse (TSI) Guidelines in Sexual Assault Cases at Forensic Science Ireland, Dublin, Ireland. Journal of Forensic Sciences, Volume 62, Issue 3, May 2017, pages 585-592. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1556-4029.13325

Corina C.G. Benschop, Edward Connolly, Ricky Ansell, Bas Kokshoorn. Results of an inter and intra laboratory exercise on the assessment of complex autosomal DNA profiles. Science & Justice, Volume 57, Issue 1, January 2017, Pages 21-27. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1355030616301009

Kristy Steensma, Ricky Ansell, Lindy Clarisse, Edward Connolly, Ate D. Kloosterman, Louise G. McKenna, Roland A.H. van Oorschot, Bianca Szkuta, Bas Kokshoorn. An inter-laboratory comparison study on transfer, persistence and recovery of DNA from cable ties.  Forensic Science International: Genetics, Volume 31, November 2017, Pages 95-104. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1872497317301849

Daniel Fernandes, Kendra Sirak, Mario Novak, John A. Finarelli, John Byrne, Edward Connolly, Jeanette E. L. Carlsson, Edmondo Ferretti, Ron Pinhasi & Jens Carlsson. The Identification of a 1916 Irish Rebel: New Approach for Estimating Relatedness From Low Coverage Homozygous Genomes. Scientific Reports Volume 7, Article number: 41529, 2017. https://www.nature.com/articles/srep41529

John D. Power, Pierce V. Kavanagh, Gavin McLaughlin, Michael Barry, Geraldine Dowling, Simon D. Brandt. ‘APAAN in the neck’ A reflection on some novel impurities found in seized materials containing amphetamine in Ireland during routine forensic analysis. Drug Testing and Analysis. Volume 9, Issue 7, July 2017, pages 966-976. https://analyticalsciencejournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/dta.2194

Gavin McLaughlin, Noreen Morris, Pierce V. Kavanagh, John D. Power, Geraldine Dowling, Brendan Twamley, John O’Brien, Gary Hessman, Brian Murphy, Donna Walther, John S. Partilla, Michael H. Baumann, Simon D. Brandt. Analytical characterization and pharmacological evaluation of the new psychoactive substance 4-fluoromethylphenidate (4F-MPH) and differentiation between the (±)-threo and (±)-erythro diastereomers. Drug Testing and Analysis. Volume 9, Issue 3, March 2017, pages 347-357. https://analyticalsciencejournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/dta.2167

David G. Casey, Nicola Clayson, Sarah Jones, Jennie Lewis, Maggie Boyce, Isla Fraser, Finlay Kennedy, Karen Alexender. A response to Meakin and Jamieson DNA transfer: Review and implications for casework. Forensic Science International: Genetics Volume 21, March 2016, Pages 117-118. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1872497315301095

Gavin McLaughlin, Noreen Morris, Pierce V. Kavanagh, John D. Power, Brendan Twamley, John O’Brien, Brian Talbot, Geraldine Dowling, Simon D. Brandt. The synthesis and characterization of the ‘research chemical’ N-(1-amino-3-methyl-1-oxobutan-2-yl)-1-(cyclohexylmethyl)-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-1H-pyrazole-5-carboxamide (3,5-AB-CHMFUPPYCA) and differentiation from its 5,3-regioisomer. Drug Testing and Analysis, Volume 8, Issue 9, September 2016, pages 585-592. https://analyticalsciencejournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/dta.1864

Gavin McLaughlin, Noreen Morris, Pierce V. Kavanagh, Geraldine Dowling, John D. Power, Brendan Twamley, John O’Brien, Brian Talbot, Harald H. Sitte, Simon D. Brandt. Test purchase, synthesis and characterization of 3-fluorophenmetrazine (3-FPM) and differentiation from its ortho- and para-substituted isomers. Drug Testing and Analysis, Volume 8, Issue 1, January 2016, pages 98-109. https://analyticalsciencejournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/dta.1800

Michelle Boyle. Report on 4th International conference on Novel Psychoactive Substances, Budapest 30-31 May 2016. Drugnet Ireland, Issue 59, Autumn 2016, pages 19-20. https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/26239/

Geoffrey Stewart Morrison, David H. Kaye, David J. Balding, Duncan Taylor, Philip Dawid, Colin G.G. Aitken, Simone Gittelson, Grzegorz Zadora, Bernard Robertson, Sheila Willis, Susan Pope, Martin Neil, Kristy A. Martire, Amanda Hepler, Richard D. Gill, Allan Jamieson, Jacob de Zoete, R. Brent Ostrum, Amke Caliebe.

 A Comment on the PCAST report: Skip the “match”/“non-match” stage. Forensic Science International: Volume 272, Pages e7-e9, 2017. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0379073816304558

Sheila Willis. Accreditation — Straight belt or life jacket? Presentation to Forensic Science Society Conference November 2013. Science & Justice. Volume 54, Issue 6, December 2014, Pages 505-507. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1355030614000677

Sheila Willis. The Highs and Lows of Accreditation. Forensic Policy and Management: An International Journal. Volume 2, Issue 2, 2011. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/19409044.2011.593607

Stan Brown and Sheila Willis. Complexity in Forensic Science. Forensic Policy and Management: An International Journal. Volume 1, Issue 4, 2010.

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/19409041003698454

Sheila Willis. Standards for the formulation of evaluative forensic science expert opinion Association of Forensic Science Providers. Science & Justice Volume 50, Issue 1, March 2010, Page 49. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1355030609001762

Sheila Willis. Power, Process, People – A presentation on quality and competence in forensic science delivered at EAFS2009. Science & Justice, Volume 50, Issue 1, March 2010, Pages 23-25. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1355030609002512

Sheila Willis. Introduction. Forensic Science International, Volume 167, Issues 2–3, 11 April 2007, Page 93. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0379073806005214

Dyan J.Daly, Charlotte Murphy C and Sean D. McDermott, S. 2012 The transfer of touch DNA from hands to glass, fabric and wood. Forensic Science International: Genetics. Volume 6, Issue 1, January 2012. Pages 41-46.

 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1872497311000238

Dyan J. Daly, Marce A. Lee-Gorman and Jennifer Ryan. Distinguishing between damage to clothing as a result of normal wear and tear or as a result of deliberate damage: A sexual assault case study. Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume 54 Issue 2, March 2009 Pages400-403. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1556-4029.2008.00950.x