Sue Carney-Gannon MPhil, BSc (Hons), MCSFS, ChFP (Biology)

Forensic Scientist since 2001

Sue began her career in forensic science at the former Home Office Forensic Science Service (FSS) in 2001, Sue is a leading forensic biologist, having oﬀered defence-instructed consultancy since 2011.

Sue’s primary areas of expertise and interest include matters of DNA evaluation and interpretation, the forensic investigation of sexual oﬀences, blood pattern analysis, quality standards and regulation in forensic science, and matters of admissibility of expert opinion.

Sue has given expert opinion in more than 2000 cases, and regularly provides expert testimony in Court.

She is a respected forensic science educator, having published numerous articles, three academic book chapters, and has presented to undergraduates, post-graduates, practitioners of all levels, crime scene investigators, police, lawyers and forensic medical examiners, and considered an authority on matters of Case Assessment and Interpretation, including the ’transposed conditional’ or ‘prosecutor’s fallacy’.

Sue Carney-Gannon

Forensic biology

Blood pattern analysis (BPA)

Body fluid interpretation

DNA profiling findings (including mixture considerations, low template and DNA transfer considerations, YSTR profiling findings)

Fabric Damage Assessment
At the former FSS, Sue built and implemented intelligence databases to track sexual oﬀences cases in several police forces, as part of the FSS Sexual Oﬀences Service, and was influential in delivering training to oﬃcers and forensic medical examiners in sexual oﬀences as part of this service.

As a BSI-trained auditor, Sue regularly took part in national audits of FSS technical processes, reporting her findings to Principal Scientists.

Influential in implementing FSS peer reviewing guidelines, and site quality lead for issues relating to body fluids at FSS Chorley from 2008 to its closure in 2011.

Sue has consulted on matters of quality in Forensic Science for a number of organisations, supporting one organisation as consultant quality manager to their granting of UKAS accreditation to ISO 17025 from 2011 to 2013.

From 2011 to the present, Sue has been regularly instructed by the defence in a variety of forensic biology matters including serious and volume crime.

Sue has appeared on BBC radio, Granada television, and in a variety of independently-produced documentaries. She is fully media trained.

In addition to her UK-based casework, Sue has provided consultancy, expert opinion and/or expert reports for casework in Hong Kong, Georgia, the international Olympic Committee, and for various projects in Bahrain, Uganda, Libya, and India.
R v Ibrahim

The prosecution of an individual for perverting the course of justice, in which DNA and fabric damage findings reported by Sue, in conjunction with a colleague’s fibre findings, were instrumental in supporting the prosecution’s case that the accused had manufactured a rape allegation and damaged her own clothing by cutting with scissors.

R v Dalton and others

A murder case in which the deceased had suﬀered extensive blunt force trauma to the face and neck and had died as a result of his injuries. Sue was able to show that blood stains on the defendant’s shoes were not typical of having been caused by kicking and could be explained by his admitted presence at the scene and deposited by other actions.

R v Wright

An allegation of possession of a firearm in which DNA matching the defendant was detected within a complex mixture of DNA from the texture areas of a handgun. Whilst a statistical evaluation of this result supported the presence of the defendant’s DNA in the sample, Sue was able to show that it could not be determined how this DNA had been deposited, and in a joint statement, she and the Crown’s expert agreed that these findings did not assist in addressing whether or not the defendant had handled the firearm as alleged. The defendant was acquitted.
23 years as a forensic biologist and expert witness, having provided expert opinion in a wide variety of criminal matters from murder, rape, sexual assault, robbery, assault and other serious oﬀences, to burglary and property crimes. Has given expert testimony in Crown Court on numerous occasions, and regularly assists Counsel in matters such as preparing their cross examination strategy.

Considered an authority on matters of case assessment and interpretation.

A leading expert on matters of DNA profiling findings and statistical evaluation, including low template results and matters of DNA transfer.

Taught forensic science at The University of Central Lancashire from 2014 - 2021, leaving to commence doctoral research at Northumbria University, on expert reporting and assessments of admissibility, to be completed in 2025.

Awarded chartered forensic practitioner status by the Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences in 2019, reassessed in May 2024.

Experienced in practitioner and police training, has devised and delivered courses on sexual oﬀences investigation, blood pattern analysis, interpretation and reporting, and expert witness skills.

Sue has published three academic book chapters:

Carney-Gannon, S. (2024) 'Blood Pattern Analysis', in Payne-James, J. and Byard, R. (eds.) Forensic and Legal Medicine: Clinical and Pathological Aspects. 1st ed. Boca Raton: CRC Press, pp. 933-945.

Carney, S. (2017) 'Training Forensic Practitioners in DNA Profiling', in Williams, A., Cassella, J.P. and Maskell, P.D. (eds.) Forensic Science Education and Training: A Tool-kit for Lecturers and Practitioner Trainers. 1st ed. United Kingdom: United Kingdom: John Wiley & Sons, Incorporated, pp. 177-205.

Carney, S. (2017) ’The Forensic Investigation of Sexual Oﬀences: Practitioner Course Design and Delivery’, in Williams, A., Cassella, J.P. and Maskell, P.D. (eds.) Forensic Science Education and Training: A Tool-kit for Lecturers and Practitioner Trainers. 1st ed. United Kingdom: United Kingdom: John Wiley & Sons, Incorporated, pp. 207-234
Honorary treasurer and Council member of the Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences 2022-2025

An active member of the Forensic Science Regulator’s specialist interpretation group.

Member of the Forensic Science Regulator’s body fluids distribution working group. Co-chair of the CSFS-FSR working group on Case Review.

Represents defence-instructed forensic science at the Forensic Capability Network nationalstreamlined forensic reporting board.

Represents CSFS at the Faculty of Forensic and Legal Medicine’s forensic science committee.

Sue Carney-Gannon

Expertise

Notable work

Notable cases

Experience

Committee memberships