Contact Dr David Errickson
- Tel: +44 (0) 1234 750111 x3163
- Email: David.Errickson@cranfield.ac.uk
- Twitter: @@david_errickson
- ORCID
- ResearchGate
Background
I am a lecturer in forensic archaeology and anthropology at Cranfield's Forensic Institute, Cranfield University.
My background is predominantly in traditional archaeology, having studied at Bradford University where I was awarded a BSc Archaeology and a Diploma in Professional Archaeological Studies. During this time I worked as a field archaeologist with Tees Archaeology. Excavations included Street House Farm, Loftus; Catcote's Roman Site, Hartlepool; and Captain Cook's Birthplace, Middlesbrough.
I went back to Bradford University to undertake a MSc in Forensic Archaeology and Crime Scene Investigation where my thesis focused on the application of 3D imaging and its application to the forensic decomposition process. Comparing Laser scanning to traditional imaging techniques I graduated with a distinction. I was then offered to undertake my PhD at Teesside University in Forensic Anthropology. This was funded by EWS Education Fund. At the same time as my PhD I lectured part-time in forensic science.
In 2017 I was employed as a full-time lecturer in forensic science before moving to Cranfield's Forensic Institute in 2018. My modules include:
- Fundamentals of Forensic Anthropology: Osteology
- Mass Fatality Incidents
- Practical Archaeology Excavation
I have also undertaken my post-graduate certificate in learning and teaching in higher education (PgCLTHE).
Research opportunities
I am interested in the application of three-dimensional imaging to the forensic archaeological and anthropological process. This includes the documentation of evidence at scenes and the use of multi-dimensional imaging in the courtroom. I have strong links with FARO scanning, and continually offer advice on imaging in forensic science and the police.
I am also interested in any archaeological based work - in particular post-medieval excavations, animal scavenging, transgender and drug changes to the skeleton, and trauma applied to the body.
My current PhD students include:
Rebecca Strong (Teesside University), The Application of Geometric Morphometric Analysis to the Identification Process of Unknown Individuals.
Stephanie Giles (Cranfield University), Post-mortem interval estimations in Forensic Anthropology and Pathology
Angelina Longo (Cranfield University), Automating the estimation of Age and Sex for skeletalised remains
Current activities
3D Imaging,
I am currently exploring the effect of using 3D printed models within the courtroom. In particular, whether they have a negative or positive effect on the jury. Likewise, I am interested in 3D images and virtual reconstruction of crime scenes and of bone fragments within the skeleton.
Animal scavenging,
I currently have a collaboration with several zoos and aquariums around the UK. I am creating a database of the animal induced changes to bone as a result of scavenging and consumption. I am particularly interested in distinguishing the differences between cats and dogs, and the effects of birds on the body.
Forensic anthropology,
I am particularly interested in how gender reassignment may change the body and skeleton for the purpose of identification.
Clients
I am currently a board member for Cranfields Recovery and Identification of Conflict Casualties. Through this, I have an ongoing partnership with the Defense Prisoner of War / Missing in Action Accounting Agency. In this partnership mostly we deploy to try and recover missing U.S servicemen that died in the Second World War.
Publications
Articles In Journals
- Márquez-Grant N, Errickson D, Morgan S, Ronner E & Giles SB (2021) Final thoughts on WWI and WWII legislation, recovery, identification and burial of human remains: best practice, challenges, and recommendations, Forensic Science International, Available online 19 March 2021 Article No. 110767.
- Márquez-Grant N & Errickson D (2021) The legislation, search, recovery, identification and repatriation of conflict casualties worldwide: Introducing the WWI and WWII Special Issue, Forensic Science International, Available online 30 January 2021 Article No. 110716.
- Stephens M, Errickson D, Giles S & Ringrose TJ (2020) Assessing the quality of footwear marks recovered from simulated graves, Science and Justice, Available online 29 July 2020 (6).
- Giles SB, Harrison K, Errickson D & Márquez-Grant N (2020) The effect of seasonality on the application of accumulated degree-days to estimate the early post-mortem interval, Forensic Science International, 315 (October) Article No. 110419.
- Carew R & Errickson D (2020) An overview of 3D printing in forensic science: the tangible third-dimension, Journal of Forensic Sciences, 65 (5) 1752-1760.
- Errickson D, Fawcett H, Thompson TJU & Campbell A (2020) The effect of different imaging techniques for the visualisation of evidence in court on jury comprehension, International Journal of Legal Medicine, 134 (4) 1451-1455.
- Errickson D, Giles S & Horsman G (2019) The CSI effect(s no one?), Journal of Forensic and Legal Medicine, 67 (October) 64-65.
- Horsman G & Errickson D (2019) When finding nothing may be evidence of something: anti-forensic and digital tool marks, Science and Justice, 59 (5) 565-572.
- Carew RM & Errickson D (2019) Imaging in forensic science: five years on, Journal of Forensic Radiology and Imaging, 16 (March) 24-33.
- Hansford J, Wright PC, Rasoamiaramanana A, Pérez VR, Godfrey LR, Errickson D, Thompson T & Turvey ST (2018) Early Holocene human presence in Madagascar evidenced by exploitation of avian megafauna, Science Advances, 4 (9) Article No. eaat6925.
- Errickson D, Grueso I, Griffith SJ, Setchell JM, Thompson TJU, Thompson CEL & Gowland RL (2017) Towards a best practice for the use of active non‐contact surface scanning to record human skeletal remains from archaeological contexts, International Journal of Osteoarchaeology, 27 (4) 650-661.
- Dittmar JM, Errickson D & Caffell A (2015) The comparison and application of silicone casting material for trauma analysis on well preserved archaeological skeletal remains, Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, 4 (December) 559-564.
- Errickson D, Thompson TJU & Rankin BWJ (2014) The application of 3D visualization of osteological trauma for the courtroom: a critical review, Journal of Forensic Radiology and Imaging, 2 (3) 132-137.
- Sandholzer MA, Errickson D & Walter BS (2013) AAFS 2013: Current issues and future trends in forensic radiology and imaging, Journal of Forensic Radiology and Imaging, 1 (2) 88-90.
Books
- Squires K, Errickson D, Marquez-Grant N (eds), (2020) Ethical approaches to human remains : a global challenge in bioarchaeology and forensic anthropology, New York, NY: Springer.
- Errickson D (2017) Shedding light on skeletal remains: the use of structured light scanning for 3D archiving. In: Human remains: another dimension, London, UK: Academic Press, p. 93-101.
- Márquez-Grant N & Errickson D (2017) Ethical considerations: an added dimension. In: Human remains: another dimension, London, UK: Academic Press, p. 194-204.
- Errickson D, Thompson TJU (eds), (2017) Human remains: another dimension, London, UK: Academic Press, ed. 1.
- Errickson D & Thompson TJU (2015) Animal Attacks and Injuries: Anthropological Findings. In: Encyclopedia of Forensic and Legal Medicine, Elsevier Inc, p. 143-147.