Ann Priston OBE, JP, BSc, PhD

Dr Priston obtained a joint honours degree in Biochemistry and Physiology in 1967 and a doctorate in biochemistry in 1970. During her early career she worked on DNA synthesis in the Nobel Prize winning team at Kings College London under Maurice Wilkins; also in the medical laboratories of Hammersmith and Westminster Hospitals and at the University of Pennsylvania, USA.

She joined the Metropolitan Police Forensic Science Laboratory (later to become the London Laboratory of the Forensic Science Service) in 1970 and became a case reporting officer dealing with most biological evidence types in offences against the person but eventually specialising in the examination of  textile fibres. In 1990 she was promoted to Principal level with Special Merit for casework having worked primarily on cases of murder and armed robbery for which she holds 14 commendations from senior police, Judges and CPS for dedication, professionalism and presentation in Court.

For 10 years she concentrated on cases involving PIRA activity on the mainland and was recently given a (rarely awarded to civilians) Commissioner’s Commendation for her contribution to the investigation into terrorism on the Greek mainland over the last 30 years.

She has worked on cases from N. Ireland, Gibraltar, Malta, Antigua, Athens, Cyprus, Turkey, Norway, Bermuda, Barbados, Italy, Germany, and Canada and has given evidence in all types of courts in this country and in Antigua, Gibraltar (three times), Malta and Norway.

She has presented papers at conferences throughout the UK and in France, Germany, Switzerland, California and Bahrain and delivered training presentations to the Forensic Science Service, the Metropolitan Police Crime Academy, Kings College, London and the University of Sussex.

She lectures on the Courts, criminal procedure and expert evidence to graduates studying for Masters’ degrees in Forensic Science at King’s College, London, the Forensic Science Service and other organization.

For many years Dr Priston designed and ran training days for the Judges of the  London Crown courts which gave them a unique opportunity to attend the Laboratory and observe the work of the scientists at close hand.  Judges of the Court of Appeal and High Court were also able to attend. She has also worked closely with Judges of the Central Criminal Court as a trainer for the Advocacy Master Classes.

Dr Priston holds the Freedom of the City of London and in March 1998 was invested with the order of OBE for services to the Home Office.

She is the immediate past Vice President of the Forensic Science Society.