Meet the Experts: The Slaying of the Sycamore Gap Tree

Did you know?

The Sycamore Gap Tree was a famous tree emerging from the meltwater dip, standing tall and proud next to Hadrian’s Wall at Crag Lough in Northumberland, England. So beautiful and symbolic that it featured in Hollywood films, children’s books, and famous paintings, as well as being a favourite spot for young grooms up and down the country to bend the knee and propose to their beloved.

On one fateful and stormy night in autumn 2023, the so-called Sycamore Gap Tree was brutally felled with a chainsaw in an act of sheer and senseless vandalism. In less than three minutes, 130 years of history were silenced forever, leaving communities and an entire country in shock and lost for words.

Perhaps proud of their actions, the two prime suspects filmed a crucial piece of the tree and the chainsaw used to cut it down with their own smartphone, not long after the slaying.

Join us to discover how forensic video evidence played a key role in linking the suspects to one of the most high-profile criminal damage cases in the world.

Meet the Expert: Emi Polito, CFVA | Forensic Analyst

Emi is a LEVA Certified Forensic Video Analyst and an expert in CCTV recovery, enhancement, and analysis. He has worked as a forensic video/audio analyst and CCTV technical lead for several police forces and leading forensic providers in England. He has also provided expert witness testimony in court on numerous occasions across the United Kingdom.

Emi has over 25 years of experience in media and imagery, including ten years as a technical director, senior video editor, and engineer for a major international broadcaster based in London.

He is currently a forensic expert and international trainer at Amped Software, and continues to assist police forces, prosecutors, and criminal defence firms with the interpretation of video and audio evidence in court.

About Amped Software:

Amped Software develops solutions for the forensic analysis and enhancement of digital images and videos. These tools are designed to assist organisations at every stage of their investigations, from the field to the forensic lab and the courtroom.

Amped is also one of our partner companies, with whom we develop research projects and collaborations in support of the forensic science field, creating opportunities for our students, such as this Meet the Experts webinar.

🎓 Certification of participation exclusively for European Forensic Institute students