ANZPAA NIFS NEWS Volume 16, Issue 3 September 2015

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1 ANZPAA NIFS NEWS Volume 16, Issue 3 September 2015 Message from the Acting Director It is with great pleasure that I write my first introduction to the ANZPAA NIFS News. Alastair Ross AM retired from ANZPAA NIFS on 3 July 2015 and has left the Institute in a great position moving forward. The ANZPAA NIFS team now consists of the thankfully ever present Ann Gidley, managing the Australasian Forensic Field Sciences Accreditation Board (AFFSAB) and the proficiency testing programs, Dean Catoggio as General Manager ANZPAA NIFS, on secondment from Victoria Police for six months, Eva Bruenisholz, Project Officer ANZPAA NIFS, who is managing the End-to-End project phase 2 and the Interfaces Project phase 2 and myself as Acting Director ANZPAA NIFS. We are now focused on the implementation of the ANZPAA NIFS Review. A new framework allowing for additional participation in the work program and planning for ANZPAA NIFS as well as funding, has been endorsed in principle by the ANZPAA Board. I look forward to working with our stakeholders to implement that framework over the next six to twelve months. From a business-as-usual perspective, the Specialist Advisory Group (SAG) meetings have all been held for 2015 with some excellent work coming out of the groups. Additionally, the ANZPAA NIFS Best Paper Award applications are due by the last Friday in September, so if you have been publishing work I encourage you to get your applications into ANZPAA NIFS as soon as possible. More information can be found at We are also in the process of working with our colleagues in ANZPAA to update the website including the ANZPAA NIFS section; more announcements to come soon. The remaining months of this year are going to be busy for ANZPAA NIFS, with projects, stakeholder meetings and other activities; which is a wonderful indication of the support we receive from the forensic and broader community. ANZPAA NIFS continues to operate because of the support it receives. For that I thank you and the ANZPAA NIFS team looks forward to continuing to work with you all. Dr Linzi Wilson-Wilde OAM Acting Director, ANZPAA NIFS ANZPAA NIFS Update: Forensic Projects End-to-end Forensic Investigation Process Project Phase 2 The third round of data collection has just been completed and reviewed. The data transmitted is generally of a high standard and transmitted on time. There is a high level of engagement, involvement and interest from the contact officers. A small comparative study was done of the cases reported in May 2015 versus May In May 2011, a total of 1730 cases were reported by the eight jurisdictions. In May 2015, there were 1498 cases reported. 1

2 Some jurisdictions reported twice as many cases from 2011 to 2015, but others reported up to 40% less. This meant there was an overall reduction in cases received across the eight jurisdictions. There are early indications that this trend continues beyond May but this needs to be confirmed because June and July data is still being received. The collection of data will continue until 30 September 2015 inclusive, with a residual data collection period of six weeks. A final report should be available by April Interfaces Project Phase 2 The Interfaces 2 Project has two aims. Firstly to develop a number of flowcharts of the range of disciplines and agencies involved in the investigative phase of child and adult sexual assault cases within Western Australia. Secondly, to develop a document to raise awareness of the agencies involved and the expertise they offer. The project team has prepared an interim report with progress to date and the project methodology. The project data will be collected over two phases. Phase 1 will involve interviews with key stakeholders followed by Phase 2, which will be interviews with the broad range of personnel involved in the investigation and management of child and adult sexual assault. s for Phase 1 have been sent with the fieldwork to start in the middle of September with a final report being available by April ISO International Standard The ISO standard ISO/DIS Minimizing the risk of human DNA contamination in products used to collect and analyze biological material for forensic purposes has been sent for translation and final voting by ISO member countries. It is hoped the Standard will be published by the end of The TC 272 Forensic Sciences permanent committee has developed a draft Business Plan which has been sent for sign-off by member countries and the ISO Technical Management Board. The Plan outlines three working groups as discussed at the last TC272 meeting. Three standards have been identified for consideration of development by the committee collection of forensic material, forensic vocabulary and a general forensic consumables standard. Form 4 application documents have been developed for three standards. The next meeting of TC272 is in Lyon, France December Rapid DNA Project ANZPAA NIFS has been working with New South Wales Police, Victoria Police, Australian Federal Police and CrimTrac to assess commercially available Rapid DNA instruments. These are instruments that can analyse samples for DNA profile information in a very short space of time (approximately 90 minutes) without human intervention i.e. sample in to results out in one instrument. The testing of the instruments and data analysis from phase 1 is complete and the report has been distributed to the forensic science community. Phase 2 of the project will look at new developments and planning is underway. Forensic Intelligence ANZPAA NIFS is proud to announce the release of a handbook on the principles and practice of forensic intelligence titled The Intelligent Use of Forensic Data. For the past decade, ANZPAA NIFS has been committed to raising awareness of forensic intelligence in Australia and New Zealand through workshops and meetings in collaboration with law enforcement agencies and universities. In February 2015, ANZPAA NIFS jointly facilitated a set of papers on forensic intelligence that was published in the Australian Journal of Forensic Sciences ( tandfonline.com/toc/tajf20/47/1#.vz4ck1-qpbc). In addition to the traditional judicial focus of forensic science, the application of forensic intelligence principles within forensic science service delivery offers an opportunity to assist in crime disruption and crime prevention. While this potential has been recognised by jurisdictions, its implementation can be perceived as a challenge. 2

3 The Intelligent Use of Forensic Data handbook is a collation and integration of recently published findings and observations on the principles and practice of forensic intelligence. It provides a concise, understandable, visual guide outlining introductory principles to personnel at various levels and disciplines across law enforcement, including: forensic scientists, police officers and those involved in administering the criminal justice system. The production of the document is a significant step in raising jurisdictional awareness of the potential for forensic intelligence to help identify patterns, and disrupt and prevent crime. This document was distributed through the Senior Managers of Australian and New Zealand Forensic Laboratories (SMANZFL) and the forensic Specialist Advisory Groups (SAGs) with an ad hoc presentation at the ChemCrim SAG, Illicit Drugs SAG, Document SAG and Crime Scene and Ballistics SAG to support the exchange of information. The document will also be distributed at the ANZPAA Crime Forum on 10 September 2015 with a short presentation. This publication marks the finalisation of the Forensic Intelligence Project. Any further activities in forensic intelligence will be the subject of a further project proposal. Ethylene Oxide Project This project with the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) and New South Wales Forensic and Analytical Science Service (FASS) was to investigate the effects of ethylene oxide (EO) treatment of forensic consumables on downstream DNA analysis. The project also investigated the residual levels of EO following treatment and the dissipation rates on various non-porous consumables. EO is highly carcinogenic and therefore the dissipation rates will be important to ensure correct use of the consumables. The project is complete with presentations on results being given at the Congress of the International Society for Forensic Genetics (ISFG), 31 August 5 September 2015, Krakow, Poland and also at the European Academy of Forensic Science Conference, 6-11 September 2015, Prague, Czech Republic. It is anticipated the results will also be published in a relevant journal. Farewell to Alastair Ross AM We said goodbye to Alastair Ross, Director ANZPAA NIFS on 3 July 2015 after 39 years in forensic science; 18 years of those as Director NIFS. A wonderful day of recognition was held for Alastair with the first event at the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine (VIFM) and which was followed by a lunch. At VIFM a Festchrift was held to recognise the significant contribution of Alastair and the impact he has had on forensic science. Presentations were given by Stephen Cordner, Jennifer Evans, Karl Kent, Linzi Wilson-Wilde, Tony Raymond and James Robertson. The presentations highlighted the achievements of Alastair over the course of his career and it was amazing to realise the extent of his impact that included: working with the National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) to help establish a forensic science accreditation program involvement in the development and review of national legislation for forensic procedures establishing ANZPAA NIFS as a peak body for forensic science in Australia, developing strong forensic community links nationally and internationally continually promoting best practice in forensic science and establishment of an award program to promote and recognise research his work in the Senior Managers of Australia and New Zealand Forensic Laboratories (SMANZFL) in supporting the SAG program facilitating the creation of an online interactive virtual reality crime scene training and competency program (After-the-Fact) through international collaboration promoting and facilitating efficiency initiatives including a study of the end-to-end forensic investigation process involvement in the investigation looking at the effectiveness of forensic science and the relationship between police, medical and laboratory sectors assisting in the development of underpinning science validation studies 3

4 establishing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between ANZPAA NIFS and the USA National Institute of Justice (NIJ) involved in the International Forensic Strategic Alliance, promoting good practice internationally with the development of minimum standards documents. A lunch event was then held in a dockside restaurant overlooking the water. James Robertson again gave a presentation followed by Jon White (CEO ANZPAA). Alastair then took his turn to give a lovely presentation on the history of ANZPAA NIFS as a NIFS bus and the journey it took over the years and the people that have been involved. Alastair has been recognised many times over the course of his career including the Adelaide Medal by the International Association of Forensic Sciences (2004) and a Member of the Order of Australia (AM), for services to forensic science (2005). We are all very sorry at ANZPAA NIFS to see Alastair end his time with the Institute, but we know he will continue to be involved in the forensic community as Chair of the NATA Board and implementing all his new ideas at Forensic Advisory International. We wish Alastair and his family all the best into the future. Images: Alastair Ross during his time with the National Institute of Forensic Science 4

5 Alastair Ross Retirement Function 5

6 ANZPAA NIFS Welcomes Back Dean! Dean Catoggio is back working at the Institute this time as Acting General Manager, ANZPAA NIFS. Dean has a long history working with the Institute. Dean has previously worked for ANZPAA NIFS developing policies for a standardised approach to the emerging DNA technologies of familial and predictive DNA testing, Drug Analogues and Police Recommendations for CCTV Systems. He has also been involved in the ANZPAA NIFS Electronic Evidence Specialist Advisory Group where as a founding member, he worked to establish Signal Processing as a Forensic Science Class of Test (NATA) and introduce the EESAG National Signal Processing Proficiency Test program. Dean will be working closely with the rest of the team on recommendations from the ANZPAA NIFS Review. Australian Police Medals Inspector Francine Louise Poole AM (New South Wales) Inspector Poole joined the New South Wales Police Force (NSWPF) as a trainee in 1986 at the Police Academy in Goulburn. She was attested as a Probationary Constable and served at Manly Police Station. In 1987 she was confirmed as a Constable while performing General Duties at French s Forest Police Station, before transferring to the Physical Evidence Section where she undertook the role of crime scene examiner. She was promoted to the rank of Inspector in 2007, with responsibility for the Professional Services Branch. She was later appointed as Zone Commander of the Forensic Services Group, Crime Scene Specialist Zone where she currently serves. 6

7 As a crime scene investigator since 1989, Inspector Poole has attended and assisted at numerous crime scenes, not only in New South Wales but also Tasmania after the Port Arthur Massacre in As part of the United Nation s forensic examination of mass graves in Bosnia in 1998 and in 2005 she co-ordinated the ante and post-mortem central information centre in Thailand following the 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami. She has represented the NSWPF locally, nationally and internationally and is highly regarded by her peers and counterparts in forensic investigation. Detective Senior Sergeant First Class Barry Desmond Blundell AM (South Australia Police) Detective Senior Sergeant First Class Blundell joined South Australia Police (SAPOL) in 1978 and has spent the majority of his career in criminal investigation, as an investigator in general and specialist crime areas, and most recently as Officer in Charge of SAPOL s Electronic Crime Section. His experience as an investigator includes 10 years of child abuse investigation, having been a member of Operation Torpedo - the first South Australia task force to investigate paedophiles - and an original member of the Child Exploitation. He has managed SAPOL s response to electronic crime investigations and evidence since the 1990s. The Section now has 19 staff with strong investigational, electronic evidence and training capabilities. A member of the Electronic Crime Section, since its inception in 2003, and the Officer in Charge since 2006, he has constantly driven e-crime initiatives within SAPOL, through development of knowledge and training, practices and procedures and technology advances, to ensure SAPOL s e-crime response is best practice. Promoted to his current rank in 2008, Detective Senior Sergeant Blundell has an extensive knowledge of information technology matters, procedures and practices and is constantly sought after to provide high level advice to many forums, including the Chief Information Officer and Royal Commissioners. Meetings and Workshops Clandestine Drug Laboratory Advanced Practitioners Workshop Date: October 2015 Location: Sydney Cost: $150pp Mortuary Workshop Date: November 2015 Location: Melbourne Forensic Biology End-to-End Workflows Workshop Date: 2-3 December 2015 Location: Melbourne Cost: $150pp 7

8 Events Calendar 2015 TECHNICRIM 2015 IX Cuban Forensic Science Symposium and II Biometric Identification Workshop September 2015 Havana Convention Centre, Cuba 4 th International Conference on Forensic Research & Technology September 2015 Atlanta, USA ARSC2015 The Australasian Road Safety Conference October 2015 Gold Coast Convention & Exhibition Centre, Queensland, Australia More Information If you would like any further information on ANZPAA NIFS meetings and workshops or would like to add any dates into the next newsletter please forward to Nancy Bakker: nancy.bakker@anzpaa.org.au. Disclaimer This newsletter is for general information purposes only. The views expressed in this newsletter are not necessarily those of ANZPAA NIFS. ANZPAA NIFS has taken all reasonable measures to ensure that the material contained in this newsletter is correct at the time of release. However, ANZPAA NIFS gives no warranty and accepts no responsibility for the accuracy or the completeness of the material. Newsletter Contributions Please forward all newsletter contributions to Nancy Bakker nancy.bakker@anzpaa.org.au. ICTTP2016 The 6 th International Conference on Traffic & Traffic Transport Psychology 2-5 August 2016 Brisbane, AUstralia ANZFSS 23 rd International Symposium on the Forensic Sciences September 2016 Auckland, New Zealand ANZPAA NIFS Level 6, Tower 3, World Trade Centre 637 Flinders Street, Docklands Victoria 3008 T F secretariat.nifs@anzpaa.org.au 8