Rita joined Arden University as a lecturer in the School of Investigation, Security and Defence in March 2023. Prior to this, she worked for fifteen years as a crime scene investigator within the police service, and two years as a forensic specialist. She trained CSIs and police officers in forensics and managed quality and accreditation for internal departments and external agencies.

Penny Standen is a lecturer with Arden University. Prior to working at Arden, she worked in a wide variety of forensic roles after graduating from the University of Dundee in 2009 in Forensic Anthropology (BSc Hons.). She has worked internationally with the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, as well as working domestically within the DNA team at Eurofins forensics and has over 6 years’ experience as a Crime Scene Investigator with the police. Penny also studied part-time to complete her Masters in Forensic Investigation graduating in 2019.

Sam began her career working for Cleveland Police, before training in Crime Scene Examination and Serious and Organised Crime. She holds a BSc (Hons) in Investigative Studies, an MSc in Criminal Investigation and a PGCE in Learning and Teaching in Higher Education.

Dr. Cristiana Cardoso is a Senior Lecturer in Criminology and Programme Caretaker at Arden University. She holds a BA (Hons), MA and PhD in Criminology, a PGCert in Learning and Teaching and a PGCert in Research Practice. Cristiana is a Fellow of the Advance HE and has accrued vast experience in the higher education industry through designing and leading several criminology-related modules and programmes. She also manages various projects and liaises closely with external organisations to develop applied learning opportunities for students during their studies and after they graduate.

Dr. Jane Donoghue is a senior lecturer in Criminology at Arden University. Her research is multi-disciplinary in nature, with a particular focus on criminal justice policy and practice, both nationally and internationally. Jane has published widely on criminal justice responses to offending and has conducted research on a range of different topics, including virtual courts and sentencing, anti-social behaviour, and youth justice. She currently specialises in the evolution of digital criminal justice praxis, and its consequences and future implications for systems of justice globally.

Dr. Shannon DeBlasio is one of the Senior Lecturers within the School of Criminal Justice at Arden University. She holds a BSc in Psychology (first class) an MSc in Investigative Psychology (with distinction), and a PhD which falls within the practice of Forensic Psychology. Her key research interests are within the experience of crime, namely ‘The Criminal Narrative Experience’, which explores the role that emotions and narratives play during the commission of an offence.

Claire Eggleton started her academic journey later in life and completed all her academic qualifications using distance learning methods with the Open University, Oxford Brookes and the University of Portsmouth. Her interest in criminology started during her 20-year career with Wiltshire Police, serving as a special constable and then specialising in crime prevention, designing out crime and community safety.