Dr Hilary Hamnett – Top forensic scientist expert in poisons

Dr Hilary Hamnett is a senior forensic scientist, who obtained a Master of Chemistry and Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Oxford, and a Master of Science with Distinction in Forensic Science from the University of Strathclyde, UK . She has over eight years of experience reporting forensic toxicology results in the UK and New Zealand, and is currently Senior Lecturer in Forensic Science at the University of Lincoln, UK. She has published papers and book chapters, and presented at international conferences on the analysis of drugs in biological specimens, driving whilst impaired by drugs and cognitive bias in forensic toxicology. She is a member of the UK government Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs. She will reveal how forensic scientists prepare their cases for court, the detection processes that are used to gather evidence in criminal cases such as drug-facilitated sexual assault and murder, as well as Coroners’ inquests using case studies to bring to life this fascinating subject.

Tom Lloyd – Former Chief Constable of Cambridgeshire

Tom Lloyd has had a long career working throughout the police force on many high profile cases and has a wealth of experience and some great insights and controversial opinions on drug laws that make for a fascinating talk. Mr. Lloyd has said he now regrets investigating and arresting drug users during his career as a policeman in London and Cambridge. “When you think about arresting somebody who is in possession of drugs, are you really catching a criminal?” he asked. “When it came to drug law enforcement I think I caused more harm than good.” He is chairman of Whistleblowers UK. He said: We have a simple, if ambitious, vision for the future of this country which is an environment where whistleblowers feel confident that they can expose wrongdoing without fear of personal loss or detriment.”

Ian Puddick – Police watchdog campaigner

Ian Puddick is a businessman, who found himself at the centre of a multi-million pound police operation, after his wife had an affair with her well-connected boss. Mr. Puddick contacted the senior executive to express his displeasure and his life changed forever. He ended up being the target of a global investigations agency, who had contacts within the City of London police. Attempts were made to frame him as a drug dealer, lock him away and he ended being arrested by the anti-terrorist squad. His is an intriguing tale of how big business are claimed to have manipulated the law because they saw him as a trouble maker, who could damage the company’s reputation. Ian now campaigns for police being held to account for their actions and highlights corruption within the force.