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Forensic Scientist and 777ӰԺ Leicester (DMU) lecturer Leisa Nichols-Drew is set to present the findings of her ground-breaking knife research to staff at one of the country’s leading cutlery makers.

Leisa, a Chartered Forensic Practitioner and Associate Professor in Forensic Biology at DMU, has been invited to Liverpool-based firm Rayware, owners of the well-known cultery and kitchen knife maker Viners, to talk about her the research which, over the course of two rigorous studies, has demonstrated the clear connection between the shape of a knife’s tip – whether pointed or rounded – and how much damage it could cause to clothing, and to body tissue beneath, as a result of an accidental or deliberate stab.

Viners' Assure range is a collection of kitchen knives with rounded tips that are specifically designed to prevent injuries and reduce knife-related incidents. Viners “safety first” Assure range are the UK’s only easily available and affordable round-tipped kitchen knives.

Leisa said she was honoured to be speaking at the Viners special event which will feature cooking demonstrations using the firm’s round-tipped knives, and will give staff the chance to take part in a safer knife exchange where they can swap their pointed knives for round-tipped ones.

“I am really honoured to have been asked to speak to staff about the research,” said Leisa. “I feel like I have gone full circle. I first met with Viners back in 2019 when I told them what I wanted to explore with my research, and they said I could have a set of their rounded knives to use in the study.  Now here I am going back to explain what that research has shown.”

Kate O’Neill, Viners Chief Marketing Officer said: “We’re delighted to welcome Leisa Nichols-Drew from 777ӰԺ to speak with our team about her ground-breaking forensic research into knife safety.

“Her pioneering work has demonstrated how specific design interventions such as rounded-tipped blades can play a crucial role in reducing the risk of life-threatening injuries. This evidence-based approach is helping to shift the national conversation on knife-related harm from reaction to prevention.

“At Viners, we are proud to champion her research and believe that education, informed by science, is essential to driving meaningful change across both policy and industry. By sharing her insights directly with our team, we’re deepening our understanding and strengthening our commitment to leading the advancement of safer kitchen knife design.”

Leisa said: “We’ve really seen momentum growing behind the idea that replacing sharp-tipped knives with rounded ones where possible is a sensible way to reduce the amount of harm that is caused by kitchen knives, whether from accidents in the home or through deliberate attacks.”

Actor Idris Elba and chef and food-writer and campaigner Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall have thrown their weight behind calls for the adoption of round-tipped knives.  

Leisa, recently teamed-up with Leanne Lucas, who survived being stabbed during last year’s Southport stabbing tragedy, to support her Let’s be Blunt campaign. Leisa is also member of the Safer Knife Group - a collaboration of experts, politician and others campaiging for knife safety.

Leisa’s knife research consists of two separate studies conducted at DMU, and involving academics from Leicester University, Northumbria University and Teesside University.

The first in 2020 rigorously compared 300 repeated stabbing motions on everyday clothing such as cotton t-shirts and denim jeans and found a range of round-ended knives did not penetrate the fabrics at all, while sharp-pointed knives did. 

A second study conducted in 2024 looked at the damage caused by a similar range of bladed articles to special forensic simulant materials beneath fabrics. The preliminary findings of the study, which is yet to be published, support the previous peer-reviewed work and show a clear connection between the shape of the tip of a blade and resulting damage.