Staff profile
Overview
Professor Robin Williams
Emeritus Professor

Affiliation | Room number | Telephone |
---|---|---|
Emeritus Professor in the Department of Sociology | ||
Emeritus Professor in Durham CELLS (Centre for Ethics and Law in the Life Sciences) |
Research interests
- The Use of Forensic Science in Criminal Investigations
Research Projects
- Forensic DNA Databasing: A European Perspective
- Genetic Information and Crime Investigation: Social, Ethical and Public Policy Aspects of the establishment, Expansion and Police Use of The National DNA Database
- The Future of Forensic Bioinformation
Media Contacts
Available for media contact about:
- Crime: Forensic Science
- Crime: Biometrics
- Crime: Expertise and Credibility
Publications
Authored book
- Williams, R & Johnson, P (2008). Genetic Policing: The Use of DNA in Criminal Investigations. Willan Publishing.
- Williams, R (2000). Making Identity Matter. York: sociologypress.
Chapter in book
- Williams, R. (2008). Entries on 'DNA Profiling' and on 'Fingerprints'. In Dictionary of Policing. Newburn, T. & Neyroud, P. Cullompton: Willan Publishing. pages 86 & 108.
- Johnson, P. & Williams, R. (2008). European Securization and Bioemetric Identification: The Uses of Genetic Profiling (reprinted from Ann 1st Super Sanita 2007). In Biometrics: Techno-Legal Issues. Bhavani, M.N. Punjagutta: Icfai University Press.
- Williams, R. (2008). Policing and Forensic Science. In Handbook of Policing. Newburn, T. Cullompton: Willan. 760-793.
- Williams, R. (2008). DNA databases and genomics research: forensic and military (ab)uses. In International Enyclopedia of Life Sciences. London: Wiley.
- Williams, R. & Johnson, P. (2007). Trace Biometrics and Criminal Investigations. In Handbook of Criminal Investigation. Newburn, T., Williamsson, T. & Wright, A. Willan. 357-380.
- Williams, R. (2007). The Problem of Dust: Forensic Investigation as Practical Action. In Orders of Ordinary Action. D. Francis & S. Hester London: Ashgate.
- Banks, S.J. & Williams, R. (2004). 'Old dilemmas, new contexts: ethical challenges for social welfare practitioners'. In Dilemmas for Human Services 2003: A post NPM World? Ethics and Risk in a Changing Environment. J. Radcliffe et.al. Stoke on Trent: University of Staffordshire. 119-123.
Edited book
- Fraser, J. & Williams, R. (2009). The Handbook of Forensic Science. Willan Publishing.
Journal Article
- Williams, R. (2010). Shaping Forensic Science Innovation. Science and Justice 50: 4-7.
- Williams, R., Barr, M. & Haimes, E. (2008). The Bioethics of Security. Bioethics 22(9): ii-iii.
- Johnson, P. & Williams, R. (2007). Internationalising New Technologies of Crime Control: Forensic DNA Databasing and Datasharing in the European Union. Policing and Society 17(2): 103-118.
- Haimes, E. & Williams, R. (2007). Sociology, Ethics, and the Priority of the Particular: learning from a case study of genetic deliberations. British Journal of Sociology 58: 457-476.
- Johnson, P. & Williams, R. (2007). European securitization and biometric identification: the uses of genetic profiling. Annals of the Italian National Institute of Health 43(1): 36-43.
- Williams, R. & Johnson, P. (2006). Inclusiveness, Effectiveness and Intrusiveness: Issues in the Developing Uses of DNA Profiling in Support of Criminal Investigations (Reprint of earlier version in special issue 'Symposium on DNA Fingerprinting and Civil Liberties'. Journal of Law, Medicine and Ethics 32(2): 234-248.
- Williams, R & Johnson, P (2005). Inclusiveness, Effectiveness and Intrusiveness: Issues in the Developing Uses of DNA Profiling in Support of Criminal Investigations. Journal of Law Medicine and Ethics 33(3): 545-558.
- Banks, S. & Williams, R. (2005). Accounting for Ethical Difficulties in Social Welfare Work: Issues, Problems and Dilemmas. British Journal of Social Work 35(7): 1005-1022.
- Johnson, P. & Williams, R (2004). Post-Conviction DNA Testing: The UK’s First Exoneration Case? Science and Justice 4: 77-82.
- Williams, R & Johnson, P. (2004). Wonderment and Dread: Representations of DNA in Ethical Disputes about Forensic DNA Databases. New Genetics and Society 23(2): 205-223.
- Johnson, P. & Williams, R (2004). DNA and Crime Investigation: Scotland and the “UK National DNA Database'. Scottish Journal of Criminal Justice Studies 10: 71-84.
- Williams, R & Johnson, P. (2004). Circuits of Surveillance. Surveillance and Society 2(1): 1-14.
- Williams, R (2003). Residual Categories and Disciplinary Knowledge: Personal Identity in Sociological and Forensic Investigations. Symbolic Interaction 26(4): 515-529.
- Johnson, P, Martin P & Williams, R. (2003). Genetics and forensics: a sociological history of the National DNA Database. Science Studies 16(2): 22-37.
Other (Print)
- Wilson, T. & Williams, R. (2008). Memorandum to the House of Lords Select Committee on the European Sub Committee F (Home Affairs) in response to its inquiry into Interpol.
Report
- McCartney, C., Williams, R. & Wilson, T. (2010). The Future of Forensic Bioinformation. London, The Nuffield Foundation.
- Williams, R. & Johnson, P. (2005). Forensic DNA Databasing: A European Perspective (Interim Report).
- Williams, R. Johnson. P & Martin, P. (2004). Genetic Information and Crime Investigation. Social, ethical and public policy aspects of the establishment, expansion and police use of the National DNA Database. School of Applied Social Sciences. Durham, Durham University, School of Applied Social Sciences.
- Williams, R (2004). The Management of Crime Scene Examination in Relation to the Investigation of Burglary and Vehicle Crime. London, Home Office.