Hawkins Winter Events Round-Up
Hawkins attended over 70 different conferences, seminars and social gatherings, we welcomed 17 new experts to the business, and we hosted our annual winter receptions in London, Dubai, Singapore, and Hong Kong, allowing us to spend time with clients in person.
Fresh Air Invoicing
Increasing economic strain, compounded by higher interest rates, inflation, and loan repayments, has led to intensified cash flow issues for businesses. Amidst this, the rise in company insolvencies reflects the challenges. Explore the concept of ‘fresh air invoicing,’ where loans are advanced against invoices lacking proper backing. Discover how Hawkins’ forensic accountancy practice navigates such risks
Bristol Series – Finding Evidence of Fraud & Deliberate Fire Setting
Russell will cover the identification of physical evidence that identifies fires as being started deliberately, alongside evidence that identifies where fires and other peril claims are potentially fraudulent.
Hawkins Webinars: The Bristol Series
For our latest series of webinars, our experts from the Bristol office have come together to create a series of presentations ranging from deliberate fire setting to the failure of push-fit fittings. Find out more about each webinar below and click the button to register. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER Hybrid Concrete Frame Design Presented by Tim HodsonThursday 26th October 2023 at 9.30am BST Tim will provide an introduction into hybrid concrete construction (HCC). He will discuss the various hybrid solutions, then focus on the design of twin-wall and precast columns, along with some of the challenges they can bring. Chariots on Fire: Common Causes of Vehicle Fires Presented by Luke CollinsThursday 2nd November 2023 at 9.30am GMT Luke will be discussing vehicle fires which involve combustible fluids and materials, as well as other causes such as mechanical failure, electrical faults and frictional heating. Push-fit Fittings & Statistical Analysis Presented by Gerald DeshaisThursday 9th November 2023 at 9.30am GMT Gerald will discuss examples where Hawkins has investigated escapes of water caused by a fault in a push-fit fitting, and how laboratory inspection can be conducted to generate data that allows us to compare the characteristics of exhibit and exemplar fittings, in order […]
Digital Series – Hidden In Plain Sight: Closed Circuit Television (CCTV)
An explanation of the data stored by CCTV systems, how the data can be extracted, and what analysis techniques are available.
Russ Smith
After graduating, Russ was employed by the Avon & Somerset Constabulary as a Scenes of Crime Officer engaged in the forensic examination of crime scenes, including fires. In 1998 he joined the Avon & Somerset Scientific Support Fire Investigation Team specialising in arson cases. In 2000 he was promoted to Team Leader Scenes of Crime Officer, with responsibility for the coordination of the Constabulary’s response to vehicle crime, while continuing to play an active role in fire investigation. He has lectured to Police Officers, Fire Brigade personnel and Scenes of Crime Officers on subjects including the identification and preservation of evidence, scientific analysis of exhibits and the influence of DNA on crime scene examination. In 2002 Russ joined Dr J H Burgoyne & Partners LLP as a Consulting Scientist specialising in the investigation of fires and explosions. He was responsible for investigating a diverse range of incidents including small fires in domestic properties, large fires in restaurants, commercial buildings and vehicle fires. In 2005 Russ joined Hawkins, where he continues to carry out fire investigations. He is also frequently asked to provide expert assistance in criminal cases. He was Regional Manager of the Bristol Office for many years, and currently […]
Alex Chambers
After Cardiff Business School, Alex qualified as a Chartered Management Accountant in 2001. Prior to joining Hawkins as a Director, Alex practised at KPMG undertaking corporate investigations for shareholders and providers of debt finance. Alex then worked directly for Private Equity firms and High Net Worth individuals undertaking investigations and reviews into business valuations, business failure and fraud. Alex has a dual role at Hawkins to ensure strong controls around financial and information management, together with heading up our forensic accounting service provision.
Helen Rosser
Following the completion of her first degree at Aston University Helen worked as a chemist, developing and improving infra-red decoy, target and tracking flares for military use. She gained her first insight into forensic science as a Scientific Advisor to London Fire Brigade when she provided advice and carried out fire and accident investigations. During this time she completed a degree in Fire Engineering at London South Bank University, building on her practical knowledge of fire and explosion science. Prior to joining Hawkins in 2012 Helen worked as a specialist Fire Investigator for the Forensic Science Service (FSS) in London for 12 years. She performed laboratory examinations on items recovered from fires and carried out scene investigations in a wide range of settings, including domestic, commercial and industrial premises as well as vehicles. Helen was responsible for setting up a validated method for flashburning to clothing and represented the FSS in Europe as Chair of the ENFSI Expert Working Group in Fire and Explosion. Helen is experienced in the legal process and has given evidence as an expert witness in Crown Courts and Coroner’s inquests on many occasions. Helen is a Senior Associate based in our London Office.
Martin Pope
Martin is a Chartered Physicist and has a broad-based science degree from The Open University, which he gained during his thirteen years working as a Crime Scene Investigator for Kent Police. Prior to that, he worked at an electronics company where he gained an HNC in electronic and electrical engineering. He also worked for Kent Fire & Rescue Service during that time, he was retained Fire Fighter. Before joining Hawkins in 2019, Martin spent fourteen years working as a fire investigator at Dr JH Burgoyne and Partners, where he undertook over 750 investigations, ranging from small, domestic fires to protracted investigation of major incidents overseas. Martin has also been consulted regarding cases of domestic and commercial burglary. He is a Principal Associate based in our Cambridge Office.
Claire Mann
Claire carried out her first Masters Degree at Oxford University, where she remained to complete a DPhil at the Physical and Theoretical Chemistry Laboratory, working in collaboration with the Process Development Group of Syngenta. Claire then went on to pursue her interest in forensic science and studied for the Master of Forensic Science Degree at Kings College, London. During this time, Claire worked at the Forensic Explosives Laboratory and developed a GC/FTIR method for the analysis of explosives. Since joining Hawkins in 2006, Claire has specialised in the investigation of causes of fires and explosions. These cases have varied greatly in scale from relatively small domestic incidents to large commercial fires. Claire has also lent her chemistry background to the contamination team at Hawkins, where she has carried out post-fire, post-flood and post-chemical spill contamination investigations throughout the world. This work involves determining the effects of contaminants on buildings, production equipment, complex computer systems and products, including food stuffs and pharmaceuticals, and providing advice on the long term effects of the contaminants and best remediation techniques for recovery. During her time at Hawkins, Claire successfully completed the BOHS course for surveying buildings for asbestos and has since carried out asbestos […]