Dr McKinnon is a co-investigator on this project. His research interests include the health of offenders with mental disorders, including affective, psychotic, personality, and neurodevelopmental conditions. He was awarded his PhD in Forensic Psychiatry in 2015 from Newcastle University. He also has an interest in the physical health of people with mental disorders especially those who have difficulty in accessing services and has collaborated nationally and internationally on a range of research programmes. 

He has been Honorary Senior Clinical Lecturer post at Newcastle University since 2014 and has held NIHR Research Capability Funding awards (2014/15), (2017/18) & (2020/21) an N8 catalyst grant (2016/17), and NIHR ARC funding. Between 2011 and 2014 he held an NIHR Doctoral Research Fellowship (2011-2014).  

Dr McKinnon has a primary medical qualification from Newcastle University 2003 and trained in psychiatry in the North-East of England. He is a Member of the Royal College of Psychiatrists and is substantively employed as a Consultant Psychiatrist within Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne & Wear NHS Foundation Trust Secure Services.