BA(Hons), MSc, PCIfA FRAI (FA-III)
Madeleine Stephens is a Forensic Scientist specialising in Forensic Anthropology and Archaeology at Alecto Forensics. She has a variety of academic and commercial experience in both fields, along with proven ability in scientific processes and techniques for collating evidence.
Graduating from the University of Reading with a first-class honours degree in Archaeology, Madeleine went on to study a MSc in Forensic Archaeology and Anthropology at Cranfield University – a programme accredited by the Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences. Building on her success in academia, Madeleine’s research has been published in the Science & Justice Journal with an article entitled: Accessing the Feasibility of Recovering Footwear Marks from Graves (Stephens et al, 2020).
One of her main responsibilities at Alecto Forensics involves assisting at major crime scenes, including both recent and historic missing persons cases. This involves assisting in the identification of human versus non-human skeletal elements, keeping accurate records of daily activities and completing associated recording forms that are crucial to identification.
Having begun her career at Alecto Forensics as an intern, Madeleine quickly progressed to a full-time junior scientist position. During her internship, she carried out a variety of administrative tasks for Alecto’s casework, conducting desk-based research for reporting scientists and archiving case files. Alongside this, Madeleine attended forensic strategy meetings with lead scientists which provided her with an insight into the requirements of an expert witness in niche services, including forensic anthropology and forensic archaeology.
In her current role as a full-time Forensic Archaeologist, Madeleine supports scientists at crime scenes through attendance to clandestine burials, scatter scenes, cold case searches and large scale dry and wet-sieving operations. Her responsibilities also include excavation, identification of human vs non-human skeletal elements, accurate record keeping of daily activities and drawing scaled plans.
Madeleine is an accredited member of the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists (PCIfA), as well as a fellow at the Royal Anthropological Institute FRAI (FAIII). Alongside this, she is a member of the British Association for Forensic Anthropology and the British Association for Human Identification.
She has a wealth of volunteering experience, including outreach with the British Association for Biological Anthropology and Osteoarchaeology (BABAO) at Winchester School’s Science Festival. She has also volunteered on archaeological digs in the Vale of Pewsey (with the University of Reading) and the Bournemouth University Sisters Long Barrow Excavation.