Amber Collings

Biography

Dr Amber Collings is a Lecturer in Forensic Anthropology within the School of Chemical and Physical Sciences at Keele University. Amber joined the University in 2022 from Teesside University where she was a Lecturer in Forensic Science. Prior to this, she worked at the University of Portsmouth’s Institute of Criminal Justice Studies, alongside colleagues at the Forensic Innovation Centre. She is a multidisciplinary researcher with expertise in forensic science, anatomy, biology, biomechanics, biomedical imaging, 3D scanning and printing.

Her most recent work has focused on the integration and use of 3D imaging and printing within the criminal justice system. In particular, her collaboration with Hampshire Constabulary’s Digital Forensics Group Imaging Unit centred on producing virtual and physical 3D models of anatomical evidence.

Amber’s academic career first started at the University of Portsmouth where she graduated with a First Class BSc (Hons) in Forensic Biology accredited by the Chartered Society of Forensic Science. Having studied human osteology, forensic anthropology, forensic medicine, and forensic entomology, Amber became particularly interested in understanding human skeletal and soft tissue anatomy during health, decomposition, and in response to external factors. Her research project focussed on the histological changes and mtDNA degradation in human and non-human burned bone.

Following on from undergraduate study, Amber attended the Hull York Medical School where she completed an MSc in Human Anatomy and Evolution. Here she studied developmental, functional, and evolutionary anatomy in more detail and developed skills in the emerging field of virtual anthropology. Her master’s research focused on the presence, morphology, and functional significance of the temporal fascia in a range of mammalian species, including humans. Having developed a significant interest in biomechanics during her MSc, Amber then went on to complete a PhD in Comparative Biomedical Sciences.

Working within the Structure and Motion Laboratory at the Royal Veterinary College, Amber used cutting edge imaging techniques, biomechanical analysis, and musculoskeletal modelling to study the structure and function of the pelvis and hindlimb in frogs.

Amber is a Fellow of the Royal Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland and is keen to develop working relationships with local police constabularies and forensic services across the North East of England.

Research and scholarship

Amber’s areas of research interest include:

• Forensic anthropology
• Forensic taphonomy
• Comparative/functional anatomy
• Biomechanics of injury
• Virtual anthropology
• 3D imaging and printing

In particular, she is interested in exploring the effective integration of 3D imaging and printing into forensic investigations, the application of Geometric Morphometrics in the identification of unknown remains, the use of Finite Element Analysis for understanding skeletal fracture patterns, and the disparity between identity and identification in biological profiling.

Supervision

PhD and Research opportunities Amber is interested in supervising postgraduate research students within the following areas:

• Forensic anthropology
• Forensic taphonomy
• Comparative/functional anatomy
• Biomechanics of injury
• Virtual anthropology
• 3D imaging and printing