Jiu Jitsu Club Stages Assaults for Forensic Research

Jiu Jitsu club stages assaults for forensic research. Northumbria University and King’s College London researchers publish findings on textile fiber transfer in controlled assaults.

Researchers from Northumbria University and King’s College London recently published their work in the academic journal Science & Justice. It marks the first assessment of the number of textile fibers transferred during controlled assault scenarios with real people, thanks to Northumbria University’s Jiu Jitsu club.

Dr. Kelly Sheridan, Assistant Professor of Forensic Science at Northumbria, highlighted the significance of this research in bridging the gap between experimental studies and real-life situations in forensic science. The findings are expected to enhance the understanding and evaluation of fiber evidence in criminal cases involving assaults.

Jiu Jitsu club stages assaults for forensic research: Jiu Jitsu club playing roles of aggressors and victims

The study involved members of Northumbria’s Jiu Jitsu club playing roles of aggressors and victims in various scenarios. Moreover, the results revealed a significant amount of cross-transferred fibers between garments, providing valuable insights for future forensic evaluations.

Dr. David Chalton, the Lead Coach for Jiu Jitsu at Northumbria University, has been teaching the martial art there for nearly two decades. Their style focuses on striking, throwing, and self-defense, making it suitable for simulating the assault scenarios needed for the research.

Dr. Ray Palmer, an independent forensic science consultant and Associate Lecturer at Northumbria, collaborated with Dr. Sheridan to develop the research concept. The methodology, involving dyed training uniforms to track fiber transfer, was carried out by a research team, including final year Forensic Science students.

Dr. Matteo Gallidabino, an Assistant Professor in Forensic Chemistry at King’s College London, joined the team to interpret the findings. The study offers valuable insights for forensic practitioners providing expert testimony in court, using a robust simulation-based approach.

For more details, refer to the full research paper titled “A quantitative assessment of the extent and distribution of textile fiber transfer to persons involved in physical assault,” published in the journal Science & Justice, the official publication of The Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences.

Read the original article on PHYS.

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