Professor Michael J. Went

Professor Michael Went completed his first degree in chemistry before studying for a PhD in chemistry at the University of Bristol. A postdoctoral fellowship then enabled him to continue his research in inorganic chemistry at Northwestern University, Illinois, USA. Michael joined the University of Kent in 1986, initially teaching organometallic and transition metal chemistry. He was instrumental in establishing the forensic science programme at Kent and now teaches chemistry and forensic topics.    

Professor Went’s research interests are in inorganic chemistry and forensic analysis. 

Recent chemistry research has focused on the development of new medical imaging agents using radioisotopes, in collaboration with King’s College London. 

Forensic analysis projects include developing methods for detecting drugs in fingerprints, analysing cosmetics as trace evidence, detecting drugs such as GHB, recovering fingerprints from metal surfaces, and profiling trace metals in street drugs.

Professor Went teaches mainly chemistry and forensic science, including maths skills for chemists and forensic scientists, vibrational spectroscopy, atomic spectroscopy, radioisotope dating techniques and contemporary topics in forensic science. He runs an analytical techniques laboratory course, final year projects and a module for forensic science students on forensic expert witness skills. He is the programme director for the taught MSc in forensic science.