Dashboard – Forensics Zone

About Me:

I’m an anatomist and a forensic anthropologist and currently President of St. John’s College, University of Oxford.
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Since graduating from the University of Aberdeen in human anatomy and forensic anthropology, I have had a varied academic career, lecturing in Anatomy at St Thomas’ Hospital London and working as a consultant in forensic anthropology for both the Home Office and Foreign and Commonwealth Office, undertaking forensic investigations in Iraq, Sierra Leone and Grenada. I was the lead forensic anthropologist during the international war crimes investigations in Kosovo.
My pronouns are:

She/her
My Work:

My work is primarily to identify whether remains are human or not and if they are, who was the person when they were alive. Anthropology is primarily about identification.
My Typical Day:

There is no typical day for a forensic anthropologist. Sometimes we will wait for weeks before a case comes in and then suddenly you are running 3 at the same time. If you get deployed overseas then your whole life goes on hold sometimes for weeks at a time.
What I'd do with the prize money:

I would donate to a fantastic charity called Locate International which uses university students to investigate cold cases and hopefully identify those who had until then remained unknown. I am Patron of the charity.

Education:

Crown Primary School, Inverness.

Achmore Primary School, Stromeferry.

Raigmore Primary School, Inverness.

Millburn Secondary School, Inverness.

Inverness Royal Academy.

Aberdeen University.
Qualifications:

8 o grades

4 highers

BSc (hons)

PhD
Work History:

My first teaching job was at St. Thomas’ Hospital London in anatomy. I then moved to Guys hospital in London before working for both the Home Office and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. I was the Director of the Centre for Anatomy and Human Identification at Dundee University, the Pro-vice Chancellor for Engagement at Lancaster University and am now President of St. John’s College, Oxford.
Current Job:

I am President of St. John’s College, Oxford. I am a cross bench peer.
Employer:

St. John’s College, Oxford.

Sue Black