Charlotte Spires BSc. MSc. MCSFS.

Forensic Scientist since 1996

With almost 30 years’ experience in a range of forensic science services, Charlotte Spires is a renowned expert in her chosen field of forensic biology.

During her career Charlotte has been involved in reporting over 1,000 criminal cases requiring expertise in the evaluation and interpretation of DNA profiling (including complex mixtures and advanced statistical calculations), body fluids, blood pattern interpretation, hairs, and damage to clothing.

She has examined many hundreds of blood and body fluid stained exhibits.

Before joining Forensic Equity, Charlotte was previously employed by LGC Ltd (now Eurofins) in 1996, and then the Forensic Science Service (FSS) from 2001 - 2012, examining items in the laboratory, attending scenes of crime to recover trace evidence in-situ, interpreting biological evidence, and subsequently the reporting of many hundreds of cases involving biological evidence.

As an independent forensic scientist since 2012, Charlotte has been instructed in criminal cases on behalf of the defence. These cases have included murder, rape and other sexual offences, cold case reviews, assaults, firearms, drugs offences, knife crime, vehicle theft and burglaries. She regularly instigates the production of a joint report with the Crown’s experts in order to highlight areas of agreement and disagreement. These have always been received favourably by instructing lawyers and the Courts as a valuable part of the CJS.

Charlotte has given evidence in Court on many occasions in England during the last 25 years and regularly advises Counsel both in trial preparation and in court to assist with their cross examination strategy. She has also prepared cases for Appeals in England.

Charlotte Spires

Forensic biology

Blood pattern analysis (BPA)

Body fluid analysis

Clothing damage analysis

DNA profiling (including complex mixtures and advanced statistical calculations)

Forensic hair analysis
R v Osibodu at CCC

Expert for the defence reviewing complex DNA evidence from a vehicle in one of the UKs longest murder trials.

R v Valerica Marin at Woolwich CC

Rape case – the central issue being one of potential mistaken identity with complex DNA Database issues. After service of her report Charlotte worked closely with the MPS scientist to produce a joint report of experts to assist the court at short notice.

R v Darren Kibukamusoke at Cambridge CC

Rape case with complex DNA transfer issues and low likelihood ratios relating to body swabs.

R v Jeremiah Lartey-Jackson at Southwark CC

Gang Rape case with complex secondary transfer issues relating to DNA testing carried out on a dress.

R v Ashley Shields at Manchester CC

Firearms case with a staged examination strategy by the prosecution. Charlotte’s early identification of the significance of the Crown’s evidence as a whole enabled Mr Shields to benefit from an early plea.

R v Heriberto Gonzalez Feliz at Wood Green CC

Possession of a bladed article - Complex DNA mixtures and low value statistical evaluations relating to samples from a knife.

R v Robel Michael at CCC

Murder case with DNA evidence based on results from spent ammunition.

R v Harvey Macfoy at CCC

Murder case fingernail scrapings from the deceased, complex DNA mixtures with very low statistical evaluations and complex transfer issues.

R v James Haynes at Harrow CC

Rape case with complex DNA issues and the interpretation of Y-STR profiling evidence.

R v Bradley Baker at Kingston CC

Attempted murder –secondary transfer of DNA issues and complex statistical evaluations relating to several knives.

Operation Deliver for Kent Police – Securitas robbery, 2006

One of two lead scientists responsible for coordinating a large volume of exhibits submitted for examination and ensuring body fluid evidence was delivered to agreed timescales. Kent Police praised her dedication to the enquiry.

Operation Pusher for MPS

Lead Forensic Scientist responsible for developing a London borough drug dealing DNA intelligence system.
Charlotte has a Bachelor of Science honours degree in Applied Biology from Nottingham Trent University with an additional Certificate in Professional Skills, and a Masters degree, with Distinction, in Forensic Science from Kings College London. She was awarded the ‘Meritorious Student Award’ by the Chartered Society of Forensic Science (CSFS) in 1996. Charlotte is a PRINCE2 Registered Practitioner.

Charlotte was a senior member of the team who set up the first LGC Ltd forensic DNA laboratory, and was subsequently instrumental in expanding their services from DNA profiling to more complex volume crime cases. From her time at LGC Ltd she has experience of writing standard operation procedures and quality management systems, and the recruitment and management of other forensic scientists.

Charlotte was an experienced senior forensic specialist at the FSS working in both volume and serious crime. In addition to her reporting of biology cases she mentored trainee reporting officers and delivered training to MPS and Sussex Police personnel.

Over her 30 years in Forensic Science Charlotte has delivered many forensic workshops to a wide range of individuals including; the Metropolitan Police Service, primary schools and Anglia Ruskin University.

Charlotte is highly experienced in the investigation and reporting of complex biology cases, and is a regular file reviewer and critical findings checker.

Since leaving the FSS when it closed in 2012 to the present, she has been regularly instructed by the defence in a variety of forensic biology matters including serious and volume crime, complex statistical evaluations, and often assists barristers with urgent forensic issues.

Charlotte is a regular attendee of the CSFS and Forensic Regulator conferences.
Charlotte receives consistent positive feedback on her forensic work for example:

“ “A massive thank you as always for your enormous contribution.”, “… The report by Charlotte was instrumental in forcing the Crown to drop their DNA evidence… I was very impressed by the report and all the care that went into it… The Crown realised that we would have likely won a legal argument hence the decision to drop the evidence.”, “after service of her reports the prosecution have offered no evidence, with her DNA reports being vital in this process.”.

Charlotte Spires

Expertise

Notable cases

Other notable work

Experience

Committee memberships

Recommendations