John Paul Cassella

John Cassella

Professor of Forensic Science Education- Atlantic Technological University Republic of Ireland

I graduated with an honours degree in Medical Laboratory Sciences (Biomedical Science) and Chemistry from Leicester in 1988 and a Doctorate in Orthopaedic Pathology from the University College London in 1993 [Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital]. I have published widely in medical and related biomedical sciences and in forensics. Working in many of London’s major teaching hospitals in medical research, I also taught medical, radiography and podiatry students. As a lecturer in Biomedical Sciences and subsequently a University Reader in Biomedical Sciences and ‘Programme Leader’ for the Forensic Science degree at the University of Derby, I joined Staffordshire University in 2005. At Staffordshire University I taught elements of forensic pathology, techniques of Human Identification and body recovery from disaster situations. Conferred a Professorial Chair in Forensic Science Education in 2008 with over 75 journal publications as well as books and numerous national and international Conference presentations. I sit on a number of groups that work at a national level to promote the development and improvement of the delivery of forensic education and improve the links between academia, the forensic industry and UK Police Services. I was part of a former Home Office Group (now part of DSTL) for Search Techniques development for homicide victims and was a work stream lead for ‘rapid services and custody suites’ for the successful Staffordshire Police-Staffordshire University partnership. I am an ‘Associate’ of Kenyon’s International Emergency Services and was deployed to Grenfell Tower in 2017. In 2021, I worked with Police and mortuary staff in the Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust mortuary based at Birmingham International Airport for Covid-19 victims. My current role in the at the newly created Atlantic Technological University in the Republic of Ireland, has allowed me to develop my teaching in forensic science with a better understanding of the European perspectives and to develop research into the location of homicide victims on the East coast of Ireland and ‘near body post mortem’ drugs testing.

Experience

2021- Present Lecturer in Forensic Investigations & Analysis, Atlantic Technological University Republic of Ireland
2005-2021 Professor of Forensic Science Education, Staffordshire University
1999-2005 Senior Lecturer, Reader in Biomedical Sciences, Head of BSc Forensic Science, University of Derby
1998-1999 Lecturer in Biomedical Sciences, University of Central England, School of Radiography & Podiatry, Birmingham
1996 – 1997 Post Doctoral Research Worker, Institute of Psychiatry, Department of Neuropathology, London
1993 – 1996 Post Doctoral Research Assistant, St Mary's Hospital Medical School, London
1990-1993 PhD, Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, Institute of Orthopaedics, London
1989-1990 Research Assistant in Cell Pathology , St Thomas's Hospital, Institute of Dermatology, London
1988 – 1989 Research Assistant in Morbid Anatomy, The Royal London Hospital, Institute of Pathology, London

Education

BSc (Hons) Combined Studies in Medical Laboratory Sciences and Chemistry (1988)
1993 PhD Orthopaedic Pathology (University of London) Faculty of Science (1993)
PGCE Warwick University (Secondary Science, 1998)