Emma Hook has been awarded the Science & Justice Review Award by the Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences for the best review paper published in the peer-reviewed journal Science & Justice during 2024–2025.
The award, chosen by the journal's Editor-in-Chief and the Society's Council, recognises Emma's paper, Bloodstain Classification Methods: A Critical Review and a Look to the Future, co-authored with University of Staffordshire academics Dr Sarah Fieldhouse and David Flatman-Fairs, alongside Professor Graham Williams from the University of Hull.
The study is part of Emma’s ongoing PhD research, which could help to establish the first internationally standardised approach to bloodstain pattern analysis.
Bloodstain pattern analysis (BPA) plays a crucial role in forensic investigations, helping scientists reconstruct violent incidents by examining the size, shape and distribution of bloodstains at crime scenes. Yet despite more than 60 years of research and operational use, there is currently no nationally or internationally agreed method for classifying bloodstain patterns.
Having already gained undergraduate and master's degrees in Forensic Science, Emma's interest in BPA began after completing a short professional training course.
"When I completed my master's degree, I was taught bloodstain pattern analysis one way. Then I attended a training course and was taught a different way,” Emma explained. “I came away asking myself, 'Why isn't it all the same?'
"Other forensic disciplines, such as DNA analysis and fingerprint examination, have standardised methods. So why doesn’t bloodstain pattern analysis have one too?
"You never get exactly the same bloodstain pattern twice, but that doesn't mean we can't have a standardised way to describe, classify and communicate those patterns."
Emma's award-winning paper identifies that there are at least ten BPA classification methods with significant differences in how bloodstains are categorised – highlighting the need for a more objective, evidence-based approach.
A key finding is that many current methods rely on mechanistic terminology – terms that imply how a bloodstain was created, such as "impact spatter" or "wipe" – rather than simply describing what can be observed. Emma’s research argues this can encourage subjective interpretation and increase the risk of contextual bias.
Instead, the paper calls for a validated, standardised classification methodology based on directly observable characteristics, enabling analysts to make more transparent, repeatable and scientifically robust decisions.
Emma said: "If we're all using different methods with different terminology, it becomes much harder for forensic scientists to have clear, professional conversations. A standardised approach would improve objectivity and consistency while strengthening confidence in forensic evidence.”
After working as a secondary school science teacher and later as a college lecturer, Emma is now a lecturer at the University of Derby alongside completing her PhD with University of Staffordshire’s Centre for Crime, Justice and Security.
Emma admitted she was initially surprised to learn she had won the award. "I actually thought it was a scam at first!" she laughed. "I'm delighted that our paper has been recognised. As part of my ongoing research, I'll be making recommendations for bloodstain pattern classification, so it would be wonderful if those could be taken into consideration to help shape future professional guidance.”
Emma’s research is now building on the award-winning paper by investigating which classification methods forensic practitioners actually use, why they favour particular approaches, and what they believe a future standardised system should include. Emma is also testing different classification methods with analysts to measure their accuracy, repeatability and reproducibility.
Emma's PhD supervisor, Dr Sarah Fieldhouse, Senior Lecturer in Forensic Science at University of Staffordshire, said: "We are absolutely delighted for Emma. She is an outstanding PhD student. Everything she puts her mind to she achieves, and she consistently exceeds expectations.
"This award is truly Emma's achievement. She is bringing together forensic professionals from across the world to build consensus on the future of bloodstain pattern analysis. Her work is genuinely pioneering and has the potential to influence forensic practice internationally."