top of page

Dr. Ian Littley

v

​

Areas of expertise

 

Forensic Chemistry >

​

Fire Investigation 

​

Shoe prints and footwear mark comparison 

​

Tool and manufacturing

marks 

​

Trace evidence 

Dr. Ian Littley - Forensic Chemist

Summary

Dr Iain Littley is a highly qualified and skilled forensic scientist with over 34 years’ experience in forensic chemistry having worked in both the Forensic Science Service (FSS) and the private sector. Iain’s work as a forensic scientist includes alcohol technical defence, fire investigation, marks and traces, internal and external client training and quality auditing.  

Iain is a leading forensic expert with the utmost credibility in his chosen field of forensic chemistry. He has excellent organisational and communication skills with the ability to meet tight deadlines imposed by clients and the Criminal Justice system. Iain is a very dependable expert, particularly in relation to cross-examination.

Experience

  • Leading forensic scientist with over 34 years’ experience.

  • Forensic expert in all aspects of forensic chemistry including fire and explosion investigation, marks (footwear, glove and tyre), traces and particulates (glass, paint and miscellaneous materials) and flammable liquid analysis.  

  • Highly experienced forensic scientist in the field of alcohol technical defence including re-calculating breath or blood alcohol concentrations of persons suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol (previously a Home Office Authorised Analyst).

  • Senior court reporting forensic scientist, with years of experience in conducting laboratory analysis, interpreting evidence and presenting his findings in court.

  • Highly skilled and experienced forensic defence expert having been involved in numerous high profile and serious crime cases.

  • Prepared and presented expert forensic evidence in courts of all types, both criminal and civil, appearing as an expert witness.

  • Qualified and highly experienced crime scene examiner, forensic investigator and forensic fire investigator.

  • Leading expert in the field of forensic fire investigation, having investigated fires and explosions ranging in size, from small domestic property and appliance fires through to multi-million pound losses in large commercial premises.  Iain’s work has included advising and reporting for a wide range of instructing parties including the police, prosecution, defence solicitors and barristers and the insurance industry (usually via loss adjusters).

  • Leading authority and highly respected forensic scientist in marks and traces, having reported on numerous cases involving the recovery of particulate trace evidence (glass, paint and other materials) from suspects and comparing with control samples obtained from scenes of crime.  

  • Holds an unrivalled level of skill and knowledge in the comparison of marks including the comparison of footwear marks left at a crime scene, with footwear taken from the suspect(s).

  • Highly experienced crime scene examiner and forensic investigator, with years of experience in examining debris and other evidence.

  • Forensic expert in the examination of clothing from suspects for gross and microscopic evidence of flash damage or for traces of ignitable liquid.

  • Highly qualified forensic trainer and BSI trained auditor having undertaken numerous audits against ISO 9001, ISO 17025 and UKAS-monitored internal scientific quality systems documents.

  • Experienced and qualified forensic trainer in all aspects of forensic chemistry. Over the years Iain has trained several Forensic Science Service (FSS) personnel in fire investigation and has devised and delivered a training package in alcohol technical defence casework. Iain has also provided lectures to police forces and fire brigades, both in the UK and overseas. 

Committee Memberships

  • Registered forensic practitioner and a specialist assessor for fires and explosions, marks and particulates for the Council for the Registration of Forensic Practitioners (CRFP) prior to the register being closed in 2009.

  • Former member of the Forensic Science Service (FSS) laboratory Health and safety committees at Aldermaston and Huntingdon.

  • Former member of the Forensic Science Service (FSS) site leads group for Fire and Explosion investigation and flammable liquid analysis.

  • Former member of the Forensic Science Service (FSS) site leads group for Alcohol Technical Defence casework.  

Notable Work

  • Trained several Forensic Science Service personnel in forensic fire investigation.

  • Devised and delivered a training package for the Forensic Science Service (FSS) in alcohol technical defence casework.  

  • Given numerous lectures to police forces and fire brigades, both in the UK and overseas.  

  • Visiting lecturer and instructor at the Fire Service College, Moreton in Marsh.

bottom of page