Dr Laura Farrugia is an Assistant Professor at Northumbria University and a Registered Intermediary. Laura’s research focuses on vulnerability in the Criminal Justice System (CJS), confessions and false confessions, with a strong emphasis on interviewing vulnerable victims, witnesses, and suspects. She has published extensively in this area and her research drives her practice as a Registered Intermediary where she advises police officers and Courts on the most appropriate manner to interview or cross-examine vulnerable victims and witnesses. Laura regularly delivers training to national and international bodies on how best to communicate effectively with vulnerable individuals. In addition, Laura is the inventor of the Forensic Interview Trace - an app that has been developed to assist officers in evaluating their interviews.