Forensic Science Newsanzfss.org/sa/files/2012/10/Winter2011_Newsletter_v3.pdf · Forensic Science News 3 Kathy Reichs: Probably one of the most well known women in forensic science,

Forensic Science News 1

Meetings: A recap of the Barry Collins Memorial Wine night, the February, March and May meetings. Pages 5-11

The SA Committee: Contact details, new members and upcoming meeting dates. Page 13-15

In this Issue.... Issue 1, Autumn/ Winter 2011

Next Society Meeting Wednesday 13th July 2011

When the Crime Scene comes to Casualty A special bonus meeting is being held in July – come along and hear Associate Professor Daniel Sheridan talk about his experiences not only in developing a program for training forensic nurses but also as a consultant and expert witness in cases involving the abuse and neglect of the elderly, disabled and disadvantaged.

Associate Professor Daniel Sheridan is based in the School of Nursing at John Hopkins University where he has developed a forensic nursing clinical specialist masters program. Dr Sheridan is a Visiting Scholar in Residence at the Flinders University School of Nursing & Midwifery, where he has been assisting in developing a similar program for nurses here in Australia. Dr Sheridan has over 25 years experience working with survivors of domestic and family violence, and consults for the Oregon Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Senior Services Divisions in relation to cases of abuse and neglect of the elderly or disabled. He is widely published and often an invited speaker on the international stage.

7pm for 7:30pm start ANZFSS Members: Free

The German Club Non-Members: $10

223 Flinders St, Adelaide

RSVP to Carolyne Bird:

Phone 8226 7700 or [email protected]

Feature Article: 2011 is not only the international year of Chemistry, but also a celebration of women in science. Page 2

From the National Executive: The key points from the recent address to the SA Branch by the ANZFSS National President. Page 12

From the President’s Laptop: All the latest news and events, direct from the laptop of the SA Branch President. Page 4

Forensic Science News

The Newsletter of the South Australian Branch of the

Australian and New Zealand Forensic Science Society

A N Z F S S - S A B r a n c h

2 Issue 1, Autumn/Winter 2011

2011: The International Year of Chemistry and a Celebration of Women in Science

Clea Koff: Clea Koff is known as the “Bone Woman” due to her work with the United Nations identifying individuals of mass genocide and war. A forensic anthropologist, her work with the UN helped in identifying victims of the Rwanda genocide, and in Bosnia, Croatia and Yugoslavia identifying victims of war. Her work, whilst important in identifying unidentified victims, provided evidence to bring the perpetrators of genocide and war crime to trial. As well as her work with the UN, she founded the Missing Persons Identification Resource Centre in the USA, which in conjunction with the US Coroner’s office, focuses on matching the families of missing persons to unidentified bodies. Her life is outlined in her autobiography “The Bone Woman: Among the dead in Rwanda, Bosnia, and Croatia”.

Sara Bisel: Sarah Bisel was a pioneer in the field of anthropology. She is most well known for her analysis of skeletons found at Herculaneum, a town destroyed by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79AD. However, whilst her discovery and characterization of this site was of archaeological importance, the techniques she utilized would leave a lasting legacy on analysis of skeletal remains. Her research revealed that excavation can lead to deterioration of such remains and the importance of preserving skeletal remains for analysis, as these can provide much information about the life of that human. She was one of the first to undertake chemical analysis of bone, which revealed important dietary information about the population. By using chemical analysis, Sara also found traces of lead in some individuals, indicative of lead poisoning. Her lifetime of work demonstrated the use of chemical analysis of bones and teeth, and how this can be used to understand the life of an individual.

2011 is the not only the International Year of Chemistry, but also a celebration of women in science. One hundred years ago, Marie Curie was awarded the Nobel Prize for her work leading to the discovery of radium and polonium. The Nobel Prize awarded in 1911 to Marie was in fact her second, the first being jointly awarded with her husband Henri Becquerel for their work in the discovery of radioactivity. In light of this anniversary, 2011 is a combined celebration – women and chemistry, and the work of Marie Curie sums this up beautifully. With all this in mind, here are three inspirational women of forensic science:

Image: http://www.corbisimages.com/stock-photo/rights-managed/JB003869/excavating-skeleton-in-herculaneum/?ext=1

Image: http://www.forensicscience.net/famous-forensic-scientists



Kathy Reichs: Probably one of the most well known women in forensic science, Kathy Reichs is most well known for her books, based on the character of Temperance Brennan. Temperance is a crime-busting forensic anthropologist, who has been brought to life on the TV show ‘Bones’. But all the creativity and imagination of her thrilling crime stories is in fact based on her own career. She has worked as a consultant to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in North Carolina, has trained FBI agents in detection and recovery of human remains, and in between writing her next crime thriller, consults Laboratoire de Sciences Judiciaires et de Médecine Légale, in the Quebec, Canada. Internationally, Reichs has testified at the UN Tribunal on Genocide in Rwanda, has exhumed mass graves and identified victims from World War II and the September 11 World Trade Centre attack. And it doesn’t end there! Kathy has held positions in a number of forensic science institutions and associations, and is also a Professor in the Department of Anthropology at the University of North Carolina-Charlotte. Certainly an inspiring woman of science, who has used her expertise to not only bring closure to families of missing individuals, but has entertained the masses and inspired the next generation of forensic anthropologists.

Like Marie Curie, these women have done remarkable things in their field, enhancing what we know about the world around us and inspiring many around the world. And closer to home, every day women in labs across Australia are not only using science in forensic investigation but researching and improving our understanding and use of science in solving crime. For further information on 2011: The International Year of Chemistry: http://www.chemistry2011.org/

Notice of AGM

The SA Branch of the Australian and New Zealand Forensic Science Society will hold its AGM in conjunction with the August meeting on Wednesday 17th August 2011.

Nominations are now being taken for the 2011-2012 ANZFSS SA Committee for all positions, to be voted in at the AGM:

• President • Vice President • Treasurer • Secretary • Editor • Merchandising Officer • 8 Ordinary Committee Members

A nomination form was sent to all members recently. If you wish to nominate yourself or someone else with their consent, please forward this form to the Branch Secretary, Carolyne Bird on 8226 7700 or email: [email protected]. If you require a form please contact contact Carolyne. Nominations close Friday 22nd July 20011.

Image: http://www.thetvaddict.com/2010/05/06/todays-tv-addict-top-5-things-you-didnt-know-about-bones-author-kathy-reichs/



July - it is hard to think that we are half way through the year. We have had a number of interesting and thought provoking meetings. We have some more meetings lined up for the rest of the year. In July we are delighted to have a visitor, Associate Professor Daniel Sheridan from John Hopkins University, who is in South Australia to work with Flinders University School of Nursing & Midwifery on their Forensic Nursing program. Forensic Nursing acts at the interface between the victim and the medical nurses and doctors who attend to their medical needs. Another event in July, that may be of interest to our members, is being presented by the Royal Australian Chemical Institute and the Royal Institute Australia on Tuesday 26th and Wednesday 27th July. The Exchange Place Adult Chemical Murder Mystery, which has been written, produced and presented by a local author and scientist, invites people to ‘come back in time

to solve a crime’ as they go back to a murder committed at the opening of the Exchange in 1901. Initially using forensic science methods from 1901, the participants then come up-to-date with the methods that would be used in 2011 and then move into the future as they see the work being done by SA researchers to improve the methods available for forensic investigators in the future. Numbers are limited and tickets, $20 that includes the scientific activities, a glass of wine and nibbles, are available from the RIAus website. More details available from [email protected] or RIAus: http://www.riaus.org.au/ STOP PRESS: This week ANZFSS-SA have been awarded a grant from the SA branch of National Science Week to host a special event in Science Week. This event: Clever Chemistry Combating Crime C4, will be our contribution to the International Year of Chemistry, and aims to showcase what chemists are doing to assist forensic science in the ‘war against drugs’ and the ‘war against terror’. This event will be held during National Science Week in August and coincides with our AGM. Nominations for ANZFSS SA Branch committee positions have been called for and I’d encourage you to consider either continuing to be an active committee member or putting yourself forward to support your local branch of the ANZFSS by nominating to be on the committee. Looking into the future, we have been active in the early preparations for hosting the ANZFSS Symposium in 2014 and I’d like to thank the sub-committee, David Eitzen, Darren Bails, Ted Silenieks and Natasha Mitchell for the work they have put in so far. We look forward to the rest of this year’s events.

From the President’s Laptop



The Barry Collins Memorial Wine Night Bundaleer Wines The wines for the evening were provided by Bundaleer Wines, and were presented by Angela Meaney. Bundaleer is a small family-owned vineyard located near Jamestown and the Bundaleer Forest on the Southern Flinders Ranges – hence the name! The vineyard produces Cabernet and Shiraz grapes and the white grape varieties are sourced from Clare. Whilst the first vines were planted in 1997 and 1998, the family has a long history in Jamestown. 2001 saw the first harvest of grapes and wine production commenced. And now, Bundaleer has grown to produce approximately 3500 cases of wine a year. Dr Alan Pollnitz – Pepper Aromas in Shiraz Alan Pollnitz spent about 20 years at the Australian Wine Research Institute (AWRI), and one of the projects he took part in involved isolating the compounds which make a wine peppery. Pepper tones in a wine are incredibly popular, imparting a spicy flavour, and by understanding what the chemical compounds which form this taste are, winemakers may be able to tweak wines to create blends which suit consumer’s palates. The most popular wine in Australia is Shiraz, and Alan’s work focused on this wine, in its varying degrees from strong peppery and spice to more balanced or lesser undertones of the flavour. The black pepper taste in Shiraz has been described definitively, and was found to be associated with grapes grown in a cool climate. However the taste is not generally associated with the fresh grape but rather comes out during fermenting. Aside from cooler climates and season, the peppery vintage has been associated with wines produced in certain regions such as the southern Flinders Ranges. The actual compound which imparts the peppery taste was unknown, and it was left to Alan and his team to try to figure out what the source was. The cause of heat, piperine was well characterised, and it was thought that perhaps the compound was related to this. In order to determine what the compound was, Alan started with a taste test. A panel of volunteers was assembled to smell and taste a number of Shiraz wines. He found a peppery aroma correlated to peppery taste, and that this pepper note was not linked to sweet fruity aromas. He then used Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GCMS) to separate compounds in the

wine, and based on the volunteer information compared the chemical compounds from wines which the volunteers said were high or low pepper. Using the results from this, a chemometric model was applied to Shiraz in order to predict the pepperiness of the wine. By correlating the chemical results with the volunteer’s results a candidate compound was found. The compound – alpha-ylangene is correlated to pepper aroma but not pepper taste, therefore wasn’t the correct compound. So where did this leave Alan? As he explained, the most sensitive detector of aroma at his disposal was the human nose. So he combined this with chemical detection to try to combine detection of the aroma with a chemical compound. The result was a trace compound, however it was rather volatile, and nothing similar seemed be known in wine research. Upon studying the wider scientific literature, a name for this candidate compound emerged – Rotundone. This compound had been all but ignored in the wine research. However it can impart a peppery smell unlike alpha-ylangene. Alan then used a variety of chemical analysis techniques and was able to successfully confirm its presence in the Shiraz. So finally, the question arose as to how strong the rotundone is, and how people responded to it. Using the same volunteers from the earlier tests, he gave them rotundone spiked samples. By using a set concentration Alan attempted to correlate the amount of rotundone to people’s ability to smell the peppery tones in the wine. But it wasn’t quite that simple. As it turns out, the detection of the peppery smell is somewhat reliant on the individual. Some people are very sensitive to it, others not so. This may go a long way to explaining why people describe the same wine very differently, and why some people love the peppery tones in Shiraz, and others dislike them! The amount of rotundone in the Shiraz correlated very well to its perceived pepperiness. Alan compared the rotundone levels in Shiraz from 2002 and 2003, from different vineyards, and found the correlation carried through – cool weather, meant high pepper aroma which in turn meant high rotundone. Alan was also able to quantify the amount of rotundone in the Shiraz wine samples. On average it was about double used in the spike test. Rotundone is so potent that a single drop will make an Olympic swimming pool smell peppery. About one gram of rotundone is contained in the entire annual grape crush of SA. This goes a long way in demonstrating why



Upcoming Law Society Event:

Wednesday 20 July 2011 CPD Seminar

“Forensic Evidence: The Good the Bad and the Ugly” 5.25pm - 7.00pm

Level 2, 132 Franklin Street Cost: $150

For Further Information: http://www.lawsocietysa.asn.au/members/cpd.asp

it is in trace amounts in wine, and so hard to detect in the first place. Alan’s study allowed not only the determination of the compound which makes Shiraz peppery, but he was also able to measure rotundone to low levels. By comparing different vintages, Alan also was able to show the amount of rotundone varied from season to season, thus affecting the amount of pepper aromas. The amount of rotundone to impart a peppery aroma to Shiraz was produced with cool temperatures.

However, rotundone is not alone. There are at least 14 compounds in wine that make up the aroma on their own, and others work together, thus what makes up the characteristics of a wine is very complex. Furthermore, the individual response to compounds such as rotundone means that often what makes a good wine are heavily debated. However, Alan’s work has allowed a key component of Shiraz to be characterised, and this understanding of what imparts the peppery aroma should assist with producing grapes which are guaranteed to impart the much loved peppery characteristic of Shiraz.



The February Meeting: Disaster Victim Identification

Stephen Sargent Director, DVI Response Team The Australian Federal Police

Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) is the process of identifying victims in the event of a mass fatality. Stephen Sargent, Director of the AFP DVI response team, walked SA branch members through the process of DVI, highlighting many examples and some of the challenges associated with DVI. With a DVI situation, there is a legal obligation to identify the victims. Both a DVI manual developed by INTERPOL and local guidelines govern this process of identification. However, as DVI situations vary enormously, it is rare that a DVI situation can be processed by the book. However, the chain of custody and movement is of paramount importance, with a carry through of paperwork alongside remains right from the scene to lab, and then to the final identification board, who sign off on the final identification of the individual. This process must be performed despite often chaotic situations, as mix ups can add further trauma to an already distressing situation. Simple visual identification is not acceptable for DVI identification. Factors such as decomposition and the effects of the trauma on family members, who often make such identifications, can result in misidentification. Thus visual confirmations are used only to assist in identification and more rigorous standards are used throughout the process. Methods used for identification are either primary or secondary. Primary methods – fingerprinting, dental records or DNA - can be used as a stand-alone means of identification. Secondary methods, such as medical records, personal property or photography, can also be used, but must be used in conjunction with each other to form a strong enough case for identification. In order to apply the most efficient strategies to disaster situations, disasters are categorised. Closed disasters are classified when victims are known to a high degree of certainty, for example a passenger aircraft accident, where passenger lists are available.

An open disaster is one in which victim identities cannot be narrowed down, and often remains have to be compared to a missing person’s list. Identities in such lists are broken down into “possible”, “probable” and “undoubtable” to help triage the identification process. Stephen used two recent examples to highlight the processes employed in DVI – the Kokoda track plane crash in 2010, and the Christmas Island boat disaster in December 2010. The plane crash near the Kokoda track was classed as an open disaster. Whilst the list of passengers was available, as per a closed disaster, the remote site and high impact of the crash made identification difficult. The Christmas Island boat accident highlights the difficultly of working with open disaster situations, and presented unique challenges. Not only did the disaster area fall into an area of ocean, but a mass effort between multiple countries was needed to narrow the missing persons list down and confirm identities. Forty-three survivors, and thirty bodies were initially recovered, with 90 -120 individuals remaining on the missing person list. A second boat was missing between Indonesia and Australia. The process of triage of the missing was time consuming – not only due to the DVI scene, but also due to the challenge of working with countries with multiple languages and different DVI practices. Of course whilst identification is important, the process of DVI takes into account that maintaining the dignity of the deceased is priority. The process of DVI is broken into phases – this assists with managing the often complex and large scale of the situation, and provides revision post-DVI for further improvements in the recommendations of DVI. Phases are as follows: PHASE ONE: Scene Procedures are established for managing the scene. DVI scenes are treated as crime scenes. Remains and property are searched and recorded. As an example, the Kokoda crash site was a particularly difficult scene. The location was very remote, the weather



was very poor and the plane was totally destroyed, resulting in highly fragmented materials. Each item or remain recovered was tagged individually. Logistics were very difficult – due to the mountainside location and constant fog, food and equipment was near impossible to fly in, and furthermore the recovered remains had to be shipped to Port Moresby for processing. In some cases such as mass graves or the boxing day tsunami, entire communities are devastated and as no family groups or property remains, the decision has had to be made to not undertake DVI due to the near impossibility of being able to meet DVI requirements. PHASE TWO: Post Mortem This stage deals with storage of human remains and forensic examination. Autopsy however, has a different priority in DVI to standard criminal cases. The cause of death is generally not the priority but rather the focus is on finding identifying features. Cause of death in DVI situations can usually be put down to mass trauma; hence little time needs to be spent on establishing the cause. Certain issues are pertinent to managing DVI at the morgue. Often there are issues with facilities such as storage of remains, tracking samples and property, documentation and often for the staff working the cases, the long hours, and scale of the situation can result in stress and fatigue. In the case of international disasters, the identification board ensures that remains are signed over to the foreign affairs office. Remains are handled in a specific manner to prevent mix-ups. For example, remains are sealed into coffins and labelled directly after the post-mortem phase to ensure no mix-up can occur. In some cases remains may be unidentifiable. The coroner is contacted for a final decision in regards to such remains. Families are informed, and in some cases will work together to make a decision as what to do with the remains. The remains from Kokoda are an example of this – thee remains were so fragmented it was difficult to link them back to individuals, so the families decided to have the remains cremated and a memorial was erected at the track in remembrance. PHASE THREE: Ante Mortem In phase three, the families of potentially identified individuals are contacted, and ante mortem information is collected. This allows the missing persons list to be refined and narrowed down to the remaining open cases. Ante mortem information allows for confirmation of the identification, so DNA samples may be taken from possessions of the

deceased, or from family members. Dental records or any other possessions and records of use may be retrieved. Stephen highlighted that dental records can be crucial in identification, particularly in mass fatalities. In most cases, individuals have had dental work done, and the process of dental identification is far more rapid than DNA identification. Furthermore, DNA may be too degraded whereas teeth survive. Therefore, where possible, it has become standard practice to perform dental examinations on unidentified remains. The ante mortem information and paperwork is then compared to the information and paperwork from the scene and post-mortem. These two sets of paperwork remain side-by-side for the remainder of the identification. Fingerprints and DNA taken from property may be run through databases in the hope of a match. DNA may also be compared to family members to attempt identification through kinship analysis. PHAST FOUR: Reconciliation A covering report to both the post mortem and ante mortem is prepared which contains the final identification. This paperwork is then put to the Identification Board which is made up of experts in the field. This board compares the post and ante mortem data. If the board can confirm the identification is up to a legally acceptable standard as per the DVI guidelines, the identification can be confirmed. The notification can then be made to the relevant state or country bodies to finalise the identification and release the remains to families. PHASE FIVE: Debrief The debrief phase is conducted after all the DVI casework has been finalised. Both postive and negative aspects of the entire process are examined, and effectiveness in the processes used can be determined. Furthermore strategies to assist staff such as psychological baseline testing can be reviewed and staff stress can be assessed. The role of this process is to not only report findings but also to recommend further actions and changes for future DVI management. In conclusion, Stephen’s presentation highlighted the protocols and unique challenges that DVI presents. From the initial challenges of a scene, to data management and staff wellbeing, the process of DVI is complex and difficult, and as Stephen showed with his examples, forms a necessary part of forensic investigations.


S - S A B r a n c h


The March Meeting: Recent Trends in the Illicit Drug Trade and Manufacture

Andrew Camilleri Forensic Science South Australia

By David Rofe

On Wednesday 30th February at the German Club, our society gained a glimpse into our fair city’s very own underbelly. That’s right, the presentation that night was “Recent developments in the illicit drug market and manufacture”. German steins, however, were the only drug of choice.

Andrew Camilleri was kind enough to host the presentation at short notice. His knowledge and experience gained from Forensic Science South Australia ensured everyone present was high on learning after the presentation…and high on that only. His presentation essentially covered hard drugs manufacture and marketing, sprinkled with anecdotes of clandestine laboratories (clan labs). For these cooks, disobeying the criminal law wasn’t enough, they had to disobey laboratory safety rules too which was literally a recipe for disaster!

Methamphetamine was the first drug on the menu. It is still Australia’s and South Australia’s drug of choice. It comes in varying purities, ranging from 3-5% to 70-

80% pure methamphetamine. Ice, its crystallised cousin, is usually found in purities over 70% but contrary to the media’s depiction of the prevalence of ice, police seizures of ice are quite low and steady. Off-shore, there was an ice bust to the tune of 500kg in Suva which had an estimated street value of $870 million. If you know and can follow lab safety rules, perhaps it is time to give up your day job. Those offenders involved were of course caught though…

Next up was Methylenedioxy-methamphetamine, otherwise known as MDMA, or better known as ecstasy. This drug is usually manufactured overseas, somewhat not surprisingly in the Netherlands, and imported to Australia. For the duration of the naughties, this drug was increasing in purity, peaking at 92% in 2008. But since 2010, this drug has come down to 10% in purity. It is now largely cut with Meth and Ketamine, a common horse tranquilizer. It sounds like one to stay away from.

Heroin is still so passé. It still has a low purity and is imported through the golden triangle in South East Asia. Afghanistan is supplying the world with the majority of its heroin.

Cocaine seizures have been on the rise, probably due to the rise in quality in SA. It is no longer imported through the eastern states, but directly to Adelaide.

And gamma hydroxybutyrate (GHB) has fallen of the map after a record seizure of 100 litres a few years ago…

The night wrapped up with several questions, given the intoxicating subject matter. It seemed that all the members found the presentation a fascinating event, as did a few new faces… especially the girl with dread-locks who asked questions about magic mushrooms!



The May Meeting: Chemistry Comes to the Crime Scene

Professor Claude Roux President, ANZFSS National Executive

University of Technology Sydney

Claude Roux, the ANZFSS National President, stopped off in Adelaide for the May meeting aimed at addressing just what forensic science is and how chemistry is applied in forensic investigations. Claude opened with the question of whether forensic science is valid. Are the techniques and methods used in a criminal investigation underpinned by enough scientific knowledge to call it a science? With the recent National Academy of Science report some would argue that there are large gaps in knowledge, and acceptance of expert opinions by judges needs improved scrutiny. The science needs to be robust, and the opinions of expert witnesses need to be based on current scientific understanding. But that leads to the next question – who is responsible for improving things? If forensic science isn’t working in the legal system, the legal system won’t take responsibility for fixing the science or issues around presentation of the science. Claude advised that more credit to forensic science and its role within the legal system, an improved understanding of the science and increased recognition of its importance is what is required. Science is objective, and the interpretation of the law and arguments used in court can be quite subjective, and vary from case to case. Whilst this sets up a law versus science scenario, the law does need to reflect the objectivity of the science, and

not the subjectivity of the interpretation of the law. So what is forensic science? As Claude highlighted the term is quite broad, whereas something such as analytical chemistry has a very specific definition. Perhaps forensic science can be defined by its framework and principles: Locard’s exchange principle, Kirk’s principle of individuality, and through frameworks for interpretation of evidence such as the hierarchy of propositions. Several authors have undertaken philosophical assessment of what forensic science is, and how it can be defined, but even so, the term is still very broad. Furthermore, upon examining and analyzing evidence, then interpreting the results, when is it science and when is it opinion? Claude argued forensic science is a science, and it starts at the crime scene. It is a process of quantitative assessment, which should be based on underlying scientific principles and not simply the application of novel techniques, or opinion based. Forensic science all comes down to the traces of the activity at the scene – the remnants. Which brought Claude to the next stage – how does one analyse such traces, and get the most information out of the little evidence of the events? Analysing a crime scene, and later processing and interpreting collected evidence, is not just a checklist. It should be all about working in a manner to try to recover as many of the traces of the event as possible. Claude stated for this reason, crime scene processing should be an intelligent process, as no two crime scenes are the same. This process is about testing hypotheses at the scene, and then collecting evidence based on the context. A checklist may account for bias and quality assurance, but it will mean key evidence may be missed, and whilst a trace may be small, its absence is great when it comes trying to piece together the events which have occurred at that scene. The development of mobile crime labs does offer some hope for speeding up and directing initial crime scene investigation. However, mobile analysis is still in early stages with much validation needed. Fortunately, the National Forensic Science Testing



Contributions Welcome

All members are welcome to contribute articles for inclusion in the newsletter.

If you don't have an article, but may have a question that another member may be able answer relating to forensic science, please send them to us.

Email the editor: [email protected]

Centre (NFSTC) recognize the need for such facilities and are working on it. Claude highlighted a number of examples including lab on a chip applications for both explosive testing and closed DNA sets. In addition to at the scene processing, laboratory techniques are being developed to improve the ability to gain information from evidence. The application of chemical analysis in different ways has allowed for new methods to be developed. The use of Infra-Red Mass Spectrometry (IR-MS) has been used for comparison of fired versus unfired ammunition, for identifying explosives, and for ink identification during document examinations. As well as identifying compounds, new methods have allowed for improved discrimination. For example, analysing markers associated with particular batches of a compound. Of course, increasing the complexity of the analysis will increase the complexity of interpretation and this will have to be addressed before more complex methods can be adopted and presented in a courtroom. Whilst new methods offer improved ways to utilize evidence, by revisiting existing ‘standard’ forensic methods, improvements can also be made. Most of this work is based on increasing sensitivity and specificity. By altering a forensically valid method more useful information can be obtained. Claude highlighted two examples – analysis of fabric dyes and fingerprint detection and recovery. While both methods are well characterized, they do have their limitations. In the case of fabric dyes, by using Capillary Electrophoresis Mass Spectrometry (CE-MS) and changing analysis parameters, background noise was able to be reduced, and dyes were able to be analysed at much lower concentrations with improved resolution. With regard to fingerprints, much research is focused on

trialing new reagents. Examples include targeting amino acids contained in the print, the use of fluorescent dyes, infrared analysis and other particles to visualize a print. These approaches are all tailored to the complex chemical matrix which makes up a fingerprint, more so than traditional fingerprint detection methods. In turn this will give forensic scientists and crime scene officers the ability to detect and recover more information from a wider variety of latent prints. Of course, there is also the interpretation – what does it all mean? Surveys, such as fibre frequency or trace DNA transfer, help add the criminalistics element, answer questions about expected frequencies and add to the science behind the interpretation. By looking outside the field for new approaches a holistic approach can be taken to building the science behind forensic analysis and developing new methods. Claude concluded by stating chemistry is indeed a pillar of forensic sciences. The analysis of traces associated with crime should be central to method development. Most uncertainties lie in the context of the crime, not so much lab process. Although error rates are important, the crime scene and information obtained are critical. Hence checklists aimed simply at addressing quality assurance may be ineffective. There are arguments for both obtaining evidence through understanding the context of the crime, and the risk of bias. By not logically thinking about the circumstances of the crime, costs can be increased and more dangerously, elements which may provide important information about the crime may be overlooked. By taking a more generalist and intelligent approach, and continuing to develop new methods, forensic science will be able to be utilized to its fullest in order to gain maximum information from trace amounts of evidence.



From the ANZFSS National Executive 2010 - 2012 President: Prof. Claude Roux Treasurer: Prof. Chris Lennard Vice President (Aust): Prof. James Robertson Secretary: Dr James Wallman Vice President (NZ): Mary-Anne Kregting Public Officer: Anna Davey (non-elected position)

ANZFSS Address: Claude Roux, National President Whilst at the May ANZFSS SA Branch meeting, national president Claude Roux addressed the branch in regard to the national executive and their strategies and vision for ANZFSS. While the national executive oversees the society, ANZFSS also has a national council consisting of the state presidents and the national executive. The council is what governs ANZFSS, and in order to maximize feedback from the state branches, meetings between the council and national executive are now held quarterly. This will also allow for more involved management of ANZFSS from the states. Several reviews are currently underway with a subcommittee being established to manage these. One of the major areas of review is membership. Currently there is no national database for membership, which has made logistics and understanding the membership base very difficult. ANZFSS is one society, and thus moves are being made to establish a national membership database to overcome these challenges. The review of membership is also aiming to address the needs of forensic professionals and possibly provide a more professional tier to the society to support forensic practitioners. However it is well known many people are general members, and it will be ensured that whatever any restructure of the membership brings, general members will still be able to remain part of, and of course contribute, to the society. Funding was another key area of concern, as in years without a symposium the society barely breaks even. The society’s major source of income are the symposia, and if ANZFSS is going to provide more services to its members, an increase in membership fees may be required to cover this. However a cost increase will mean expansion and greater value in the organization. Claude also addressed several other areas of review and development:

• Governance and Policy: The policies of the society need to be made more explicit, and a simple and coherent set of guidelines established for management of and membership in the society

• Areview of the code of ethics • Symposia: The high quality and the importance of the Symposia and support for upcoming symposia

(Hobart in 2012 and Adelaide in 2014) • Media Policy: The establishment of a media policy in the event members are asked to comment to the

media about relevant cases and topics • Website: The ANZFSS website is in need of updating, and as it is the face of the organization, will need

to reflect the members and principles of ANZFSS. Furthermore an update is required to make the website easier to navigate

• National newsletter: the first edition of this has been circulated to all members. This newsletter aims to communicate developments and news at the National level of ANZFSS

Through evaluation and development of strategies in all these areas the National Executive aims to build on the already dynamic organization which is ANZFSS and to increase the value of the society to its members.



From the Editor:

The winter chill is here, and along with it, the first edition of the SA ANZFSS Branch Newsletter for 2011. Once again there are lots of good reads, including updates from the National Executive and a recap of previous meetings. The local branch has many more excellent speakers in store for 2011, so keep an eye on your inboxes for upcoming information.

At the May Branch meeting, the President of the SA Branch, Stewart Walker, presented Dr Colin Manock, who recently retired from the SA Branch, with a letter thanking him for his contribution to the society. Colin was a founding member of the SA Branch, and continued to be active in the society over four decades.

Remember contributions to the newsletter are always welcome. Many thanks to David Rofe who provided the article covering the March Meeting.

It is that time of year again – membership fees are due. Membership costs for 2011-2012 are: $40 for full membership, $25 for student, associate or affiliate membership. Members can pay at the meetings, or contact the branch secretary to arrange another method. The society belongs to its members, and your feedback is important to the committee. If you have suggestions for the committee, please contact us. Hope to see you at a meeting soon, and until then, try to stay warm!

$9 $10

$40

$9.50

$35 $18

$40

$9

$6

$2



Schedule of Upcoming Events

Below are the tentative dates for 2011 meetings. Stay tuned for date confirmations and more information regarding venues and presenters.

Wednesday 17th August – National Science Week

Tuesday 27th September – Nuriootpa Siege

Wednesday 26th October

Friday 2nd December – The Annual Barry Collins Memorial Wine Night

Welcome to new ANZFSS SA Branch members:

David Rofe Law student

S/C Jenny Dunstan SAPOL, South Coast CSI

Dmitriy Khodakov Academic Flinders University of South Australia, DNA analysis

Renee Ottens Student, Flinders University of South Australia

Josie Nunn Student, Flinders University of South Australia

Kahlee Redman Senior Forensic Scientist (Chemical Criminalistics), Forensic Science SA

Judith Rushton General interest

Dr Jeremy Austin ARC Future Fellow, Australian Centre for Ancient DNA, The University of Adelaide

Lauren Brown Student, Flinders University of South Australia



SA Branch Committee Members 2010-2011

WARNING: The ANZFSS (SA Branch) Committee wish to advise that the material presented at some ANZFSS meetings can be of a graphic or explicit nature. Some of the material presented may disturb or offend some people. Persons attending meetings do so at their own risk. For this reason, we recommend that persons under the age of 17 years do not attend meetings.

The Australian and New Zealand Forensic Science Society, SA Branch Inc

GPO Box 194

Adelaide SA 5001

Telephone: 8226 7700

Facsimile: 8226 7777

Email: [email protected]

“ A learned and impartial society working to

enhance the quality of Forensic Science”

Views and opinions expressed within this publication are not necessarily those of the

Australian and New Zealand Forensic Science Society or the SA Branch.

1

President: Stewart Walker

Vice President: Darren Bails

Immediate Past President: Carolyne Bird

Secretary: Carolyne Bird

Treasurer: Natasha Mitchell

Editor: Janette Edson

Merchandising Officer: Sherryn Ciavaglia

2

General Committee: Adrian Linacre

David Eitzen

Jessirie Dilag

Amanda Ellis

Julianne Henry

Andrew Murphy

Ted Silenieks

Please direct all correspondence to the Secretary: Email: [email protected] Phone: 8226 7700 Fax: 8226 7777

Post: ANZFSS SA Branch Inc GPO Box 194 Adelaide SA 5001

Documents

Forensic Science Newsanzfss.org/sa/files/2012/10/Winter2011_Newsletter_v3.pdf · Forensic Science News 3 Kathy Reichs: Probably one of the most well known women in forensic science,