Dr. Chris Maguire

Biography

I am a forensic scientist with more than 40 years’ experience of strategic leadership and operational delivery, much of this within an ISO 17025 environment.

I joined the Forensic Science Service (FSS) in 1981 and held a variety of operational, leadership and project management roles over 30 years’ service. I was amongst the first of the FSS scientists to be trained in DNA profiling in 1987, subsequently specialising in DNA profiling techniques and software applications for relationship analysis, Disaster Victim Identification (DVI), and familial searching of the National DNA Database. I was the lead scientist on several high profile national and international DVI cases.

Following the closure of the Forensic Science Service I joined the Northumbria University Centre for Forensic Sciences. My research focused on the development of alternate forensic service delivery models and the concepts of ‘effectiveness’ and ‘value’ of forensic science to the Criminal Justice System.

In 2013 I was invited to work in Washington DC in an executive leadership role as Deputy Director in the DC Department of Forensic Sciences (DFS). As Deputy Director I had Strategic and Operational responsibilities for the scientific functions of the DFS including the Forensic Science Laboratory Division, the Crime Scene Sciences Division and Public Health Laboratory Division.

My extensive experience encompasses forensic biology & DNA profiling, the implementation of technology and change processes to impact organisational efficiency, the commercialisation of forensic innovations and enterprise knowledge transfer, and the econometric analysis of forensic organisations and markets.

I am motivated by challenges and finding innovative solutions to problems to meet the needs of my scientific, law enforcement, Criminal Justice System and other stakeholders.