Expert Witness Journal Issue 65 February 2026 - Flipbook - Page 84
Hutton forensic soil scientist Professor
Lorna Dawson named Dame
Commander of the Order of the British
Empire in New Year Honours List
by The James Hutton Institute
A leading forensic soil scientist from The James
Hutton Institute has been conferred the honour
of Dame Commander of the Order of the British
Empire (DBE) in the New Year Honours List.
She has reported and advised on over 200 criminal
cases and written over 150 Expert Witness reports,
both in the UK and abroad. Additionally, she has
presented evidence in more than 25 cases, including
the World’s End murders and the Sheku Bayoh
Public Inquiry.
Professor Lorna Dawson, Head of the Centre
for Forensic Soil Science at the Hutton, was
recommended for the award by His Majesty the King
for her services to innovations in soil and forensic
science.
Professor Dawson has previously been awarded a
Commander of the British Empire, having been
named in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list in June
2018. She has also received a Special Recognition
award at the 2017 Pride of Britain awards ceremony
and is a fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, the Royal
Society of Edinburgh, the Royal Royal Scottish
Geographical Society, the British Society of Soil
Science and the Royal Society of Biology.
An internationally renowned soil scientist,
Professor Dawson has over 35 years of experience in
managing and conducting research in soil and plant
interactions, particularly their application in the
criminal justice system.
Above, Professor Lorna Dawson. Credit,Above,
Ross Johnston/Newsline
Media
Professor Lorna Dawson
EXPERT WITNESS JOURNAL
82
FEBRUARY 2026
