The Criminal, investigative and Forensic Research group (CIFR) focuses on psychological processes in forensic and investigative settings, understanding the nature, causes and impact of crime, and how to reduce reoffending.
CIFR colleagues conduct theoretically informed applied research in domains such as human intelligence gathering, eyewitness memory, gangs and gang violence, children that kill, cyber-related homicide, detecting deception and investigative interviewing.
We undertake collaborative research, training and mentoring, and advise on policy and practice. Examples include working in prisons to improve prisoner resettlement, with ex-offender groups toward reducing recidivism, better understanding suicide and suicidal behaviour in forensic settings, and improving real world risk decisions in aviation security. We collaborate with national and international governments and non-government organisations, and train police and security professionals, worldwide.
CIFR research has been extensively funded, for example by the US and UK governments, British Academy/Leverhulme, Sir Halley Stewart Trust, the EU, EPSRC/ESRC, and Probation Service.