Nicole Mantl

Nicole Mantl is a doctoral researcher at University College London (UCL), specializing in forensic anthropology. Her research focuses on the decision-making processes of forensic experts, particularly in sex estimation from skeletal remains. By leveragingcutting-edge technologies such as eye-tracking, Nicole explores how expert intuition operates in forensic anthropology, particularly examining how psychological theories of human cognition apply to this subjective forensic field. Her aim is to integrate insights from human cognition into explainable AI models to improve forensic practices.

Nicole Mantl earned her MSc in Bioarchaeological and Forensic Anthropology from University College London, and a BSc in Forensic Science from Nottingham Trent University. Her research contributions include several peer-reviewed publications, such as in the Australian Journal of Forensic Sciences. Her research interests focus on innovative approaches to forensic sex and age-at-death estimation, and the use of accessible digital tools, like mobile photogrammetry, for forensic analysis, reflecting her commitment to advancing forensic science methodologies.

Beyond her research, Nicole Mantl is actively engaged in academia through teaching roles at UCL, where she assists lectures on forensic biology and crime scene investigation. She also served as president of the UCL SECReT Society, promoting academic engagement and mentoring within the forensic science community. She continues to contribute to the field through conference presentations at major international gatherings, including the American Academy of Forensic Sciences and the British Association for Biological Anthropology and Osteoarchaeology. Through her interdisciplinary approach, combining forensic science, cognitive psychology, and technology, Nicole aims to continue to push the boundaries of forensic anthropology.