Law Professor appointed to senior crime role

A Visiting Law Professor has been appointed as a member of the influential Criminal Cases Review Commission.

Andrew Rennison, who recently joined the University as a Visiting Professor, is one of five new members of the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC). He will take up this appointment in 2014 when he ceases to be the Forensic Science Regulator and the Surveillance Camera Commissioner.

The CCRC is an independent body set up under the Criminal Appeal Act 1995, and is responsible for reviewing suspected and alleged miscarriages of criminal justice in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Commissioners are appointed by the Queen on the recommendation of the Prime Minister in accordance with the Office for the Commissioner for Public Appointments’ Code of Practice.

At Northumbria University Andrew joins a number of senior criminal justice figures, including senior members of the judiciary, who hold Visiting chairs. He will be based at the Centre for Evidence and Criminal Justice Studies in the Law School.

Professor Alan Reed, Associate Dean, Research and Innovation for Business and Law programmes at Northumbria, said: “Andrew’s contribution to the University is always intellectually stimulating and insightful. The nature of his role within the CCRC is also very relevant to our criminal appeal clinics within the Student Law Office, where students work with qualified lawyers to offer pro-bono help on real cases to members of the public and community groups.

“We have a very strong team of visiting professors and fellows at the Law School, and Andrew’s appointment to such a senior body only serves to reinforce this. His experience and expertise also add to the richness and diversity of our highly successful research centre.”

Dr Michael Stockdale, Director at the Centre for Evidence and Criminal Justice Studies in the Law School, commented: “Andrew quickly established his authority as the Forensic Science Regulator within the UK and internationally. He did this through a transparent and inclusive partnership with the criminal justice community of practitioners and academics. This included Andrew’s participation at several meetings convened by the Centre for Evidence and Criminal Justice Studies. It is testimony to the Centre’s ability to involve the criminal justice community in our activities that Andrew readily welcomed the opportunity to be associated with us.”

Andrew Rennison commented: “I am delighted to be joining the Criminal Cases Review Commission and look forward to continuing my involvement with Northumbria University where I plan to remain involved in forensic science, expert evidence and legal research issues.”

Professor Tim Wilson, Professor of Criminal Justice Policy for the Law School at Northumbria, and who has known Andrew Rennison since he was appointed Forensic Science Regulator, said: “Andrew was a brilliant choice for the first Forensic Science Regulator and can be expected to make major contributions to the work of CCRC. He brings to the University unique insights that will strengthen our research programme into issues such as scientific and expert evidence. He will also provide inspiration for the professional aspirations of our students.”

Date posted: November 21, 2013