ANZPAA NIFS NEWS Volume 17, Issue 2 June 2016

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1 ANZPAA NIFS NEWS Volume 17, Issue 2 June 2016 Message from the Director Half way through the year already! Firstly, I am pleased to announce that Queensland Health have joined the new ANZPAA NIFS governance committee. The Committee, previously called the ANZPAA NIFS Committee, is now called the Australia New Zealand Forensic Executive Committee (ANZFEC). This was decided at their last meeting on 20 April Read more about the ANZFEC later in this newsletter. I am pleased to also announce we have some new ANZPAA NIFS team members: Robert Morgan, Nick Vandenberg and Stephen Smith. Robert comes on board as a Senior Forensic Project Officer. Nick has joined the team to cover the period while Eva Bruenisholz is away on maternity leave; congratulations to Eva. Stephen has joined the team as a Business Analyst to establish a new reporting framework that will give greater visibility on ANZPAA NIFS projects and activities to our stakeholders. Once implemented, this will complete the work on the NIFS Review Implementation project. Also as part of the NIFS Review Implementation we have developed a 3-year Strategic Plan and an annual Business Plan Both of these can be found on our website: The Strategic Plan details our programs of work approved by the ANZPAA Board and the Business Plan details the project and activities aligned to the programs as approved by ANZFEC. It is a big program of work that we are very excited about and one which will deliver value to our stakeholders. One of the key elements within the Business Plan is the development of a Research and Innovation Strategy and Roadmap. The Research and Innovation Roadmap will articulate the direction and prioritisation for research investment by ANZPAA NIFS; the delivery of which will be underpinned by the Research and Innovation Strategy. Due to the increased funding by our ANZFEC stakeholders, ANZPAA NIFS is in an excellent position to provide real investment into Research and Innovation and to drive forward forensic science to meet operational and stakeholder needs. I and the ANZPAA NIFS team are looking forward to the challenges and rewards this will bring. Dr Linzi Wilson-Wilde OAM Director, ANZPAA NIFS ANZPAA NIFS welcomes We are pleased to welcome three new members to the ANZPAA NIFS team, Stephen Smith, Robert Morgan and Nick Vandenberg. Stephen Smith Stephen will be working with ANZPAA NIFS for the next six months as a Business Analyst to help develop our business plan key performance indicators, quarterly reports and undertake trend analysis. Stephen previously worked with Telstra where he played a major role in the development of Telstra s complaint reporting process. This involved strong engagement and collaboration with the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman. 1

2 Stephen led the development of a complaint dashboard and an automated Operational Performance Scorecard. His work in developing and implementing a mobile MMS system to allow Telstra executives easy access to KPI data was rewarded with the 2014 Telstra Annual Award for Making the complex simple. The ANZPAA NIFS team is very excited about working with Stephen to further progress the implementation of the planning and work program framework for ANZPAA NIFS. Robert Morgan Robert joins ANZPAA NIFS as a Senior Forensic Project Officer for 12 months. Robert is an experienced case reporting scientist having worked with Queensland Health for a number of years. He played a significant role in two major Queensland Health projects involving the development of a new Laboratory Information Management system and the validation of STRmix DNA interpretation software. Robert was part of a team that earned the 2015 Department of Health Award for Excellence for their business improvement work resulting in significant reductions in DNA analysis turnaround times for major crime cases. Nick has over 17 years of experience in the field of biology commencing his career with Victoria Police Forensic Services Department where he became a reporting scientist. Nick then took on a Chief Reporter role with Genetic Technologies where he introduced Y-STR DNA testing to the courts for the first time in a criminal case in Victoria. Nick is also the co-founder and Director of Paternity Testing Australia. Australia and New Zealand Forensic Executive Committee (ANZFEC) It certainly was a crowded meeting table for the Australia New Zealand Forensic Executive Committee (ANZFEC) meeting 2 on 20 April 2016! Main points of discussion were the NIFS Review Implementation, the Strategic Plan and what would be included on the ANZPAA NIFS Business Plan for I am really pleased to say that all members were thoroughly engaged, conversations were robust and there was a clear positive and supportive atmosphere. The next meeting of ANZFEC will be late July. Nick Vandenberg Nick will be working with us as a Senior Forensic Project Officer for 9 months. Many of you will know Nick from his previous time with ANZPAA NIFS, when in 2014 he assisted with a number of projects including the assessment of the impact on forensic science of Next Generation DNA Sequencing technology and the bringing together of experts to revise the Ballistics National Training Curricular. Image: ANZFEC meeting in progress. 2

3 Image: ANZFEC members (from left to right): Brian Huxley (QPol), John Walker (NZPol), Simon Walsh (AFP), Andrew Camilleri (FSSA), Des Carroll (NTPol), Gavin Turbett (Pathwest), Noel Woodford (VIFM), Mark Reynolds (WAPol), Grant Twining (TasPol), Yvette Clark (SAPol), Peter Cotter (NSWPol), Linzi Wilson-Wilde (ANZPAA NIFS), Fran Pool (NSWPol), John Doherty (VicPol), Kevin Forward (Chair), Peter Hatch (WAPol), Sharon Neville (NSW FASS), Colin Priddis (ChemCentre), and Paul Csoban (QLDHealth) New Zealand Police Meritorious Service Medal Inspector John Walker National Manager Police Forensic Services, Police National Headquarters. Police Commissioner Mike Bush has presented Meritorious Service Medals to Senior Constable Errol Van de Ven, an Auckland based investigator and analyst with the Upper North investigation support unit, and Inspector John Walker, the National Manager of Forensic Services, based at Police National Headquarters. This was the third time that MSMs have been awarded since they were promulgated by Royal Warrant in October They are the highest award that can be made by the Police Commissioner. I m delighted to award these medals to two people who have made an outstanding contribution to New Zealand Police and the communities they serve, Commissioner Bush said. Image: New Zealand Police Commissioner Mike Bush, Police Minister Hon Judith Collins, Senior Constable Errol Van de Ven and Inspector John Walker at the Meritorious Service Medal presentation ceremony. 3

4 They ve consistently performed at a top level in their diverse fields from supporting intelligence and analysis in complex investigations, forging strong partnerships with other border security companies and organisations, through to leading the innovation, development and implementation of police capability and capacity in modern forensics services. The Minister of Police, Hon Judith Collins, also attended this week s ceremony and congratulated the officers. Inspector Walker was awarded this medal for significant contributions to New Zealand Police s forensic services. Inspector Walker has headed the police national forensic services team since 2008 and has led the innovation and development of police capability, capacity and technology of our forensic support structure. He initially joined police as a Cadet in 1973 and worked as a Constable in Invercargill, Gore and Bluff before leaving police in Source: meritorious-service-medal-two-police-officers ANZPAA NIFS Publications We are pleased to inform you that a new publication by ANZPAA NIFS is available on our website, under International Standards in Our Work, Initiatives: Deconvoluting forensic standards: national, regional and international developments ( org.au/articledocuments/310/deconvolutingforensic-standards.pdf.aspx). Forensic Projects Updates Ongoing Forensic Projects End-to-end Forensic Investigation Process Project, phase 2 The 2011 End-to-End Forensic Investigation Process Project captured baseline throughput and turn-around time data for key steps in the processing of fingerprint and DNA evidence for burglaries. End to end, phase 2, is a follow up project which provides forensic agencies with the opportunity to compare current and baseline data to assess the impact of changes made to processes in-between project phases. The data analysis is now complete. Results of the 2015 project were sent to each jurisdiction to provide them with an opportunity to offer explanations (if available) for the variations observed between the results from E2E1 and E2E2. For example, has there been changes in police/lab policy (for example, change in interpretation criteria in DNA due to mixture or low quality), technology (for example change in DNA from 16 loci to 21), organisational priorities, systems, legal definitions, staffing/resourcing, education/training or anything other reason you might think is relevant? Have any of the E2E1 recommendations been implemented? How has the general criminality evolved? These explanations will be incorporated in the final report. Due to issues detected in the data collected, the final report deadline has now been pushed to July Interfaces Project, phase 2 The Interfaces Project phase 1 was conducted between 2011 and The key objectives were to identify communication patterns between medicine, science, law enforcement and law currently applied across jurisdictions in the context of homicide and sexual assault investigations. A follow-up, Interfaces 2, was approved by NIFS, stemming from the original project recommendations. 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 met on 2 June 2016 in ANZPAA NIFS offices to work through the flowcharts. Comments have been made and will be implemented. The report will be available by the end of June The Development of Forensic Standards Standards Australia Committee CH041 Forensic Analysis met in Melbourne on 6 April 2016 re review the working draft versions of ISO WD Recognition, recording, collection and storage of forensic material and ISO WD Forensic Vocabulary. 4

5 The current membership of the committee was reviewed. CH041 also considered clarification of ambiguous clauses in Australian Standard AS and developed an agreed meaning. The Committee also agreed to propose adopting the ISO Minimizing the risk of human DNA contamination in products used to collect, store and analyze biological material for forensic purposes Requirements. A proposal will need to be developed and submitted to Standards Australia for approval. The Committee proposed to include a sunset clause to assist any manufacturers who had already adopted AS The Committee also reviewed aged Standards and agreed to review AS Examination of ignitable liquids in fire debris. A proposal will also need to be developed and submitted to Standards Australia for approval. ISO TC 272 Forensic Sciences will meet in the Netherlands June The Committee will continue work on the draft versions of ISO WD and ISO WD and consider comments received from ISO member countries. ISO TC 272 will again split into working groups to work on the two draft standards. ISO TC 272 will also need to address work that has recently been transferred from European Committee for Standardisation (CEN) under the Vienna Agreement: 1. CEN WI Delivery of results through the processes of forensic science examinations and analysis of various types of physical material. 2. CEN WI Evaluation and interpretation of the results of forensic science examinations and analysis in the context of the case. 3. CEN WI Reporting results and conclusions from the forensic science examination and analysis, data exchange and the standardization of the documentation used for forensic purposes. The British Standards Institute (BSI) has also formally transferred the BSI PAS 377 Specification for consumables used in the collection, preservation and processing of material for forensic analysis. Requirements for product, manufacturing and forensic kit assembly standard over to ISO TC 272 and this will need to be considered by the committee and ISO member countries by a formal vote. This standard includes a broad range of forensic products. 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. Rapid DNA instruments 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 into 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 has repeated the laboratory testing with a new biochip specifically designed for samples with low levels of DNA. Laboratory testing has been completed by the Victoria Police Forensic Science Centre and results analysed by the by NSW Health Pathology, Forensic Analytical Science Service. A final report is in development. New Forensic Projects As part of ANPZAA NIFS new operational framework, new forensic projects should be developed and approved by ANZFEC. Research and Innovation Strategy and Roadmap A number of recent international reports have been highly critical of forensic science research and development. ANZPAA NIFS has been active in this space formulating research and development strategies in 2001 and 2013, to assist the forensic science community in Australia and New Zealand. Due to limited funding the outcomes of these initiatives have been restricted; however, with a new funding structure, ANZPAA NIFS is now in the position to help drive future research and innovation in forensic science. The Research and Innovation Strategy and Roadmap project officially commenced at the end of May 2016 and will involve a scan of current research and innovation initiatives in forensic science, as well as current issues relating to policing priorities and forensic science service delivery. 5

6 Data collection is due to commence in June and will result in reports detailing both the current status and issues for consideration. Both of these reports are due to be released to the forensic science community later in the year. The information collected will also be used to inform the strategy and roadmap due early It is envisaged that this roadmap will guide investment in forensic science research and innovation in Australia and New Zealand over the coming years. ANZPAA NIFS has already received international interest in this initiative and will continue to keep the forensic science community informed with its progress. Forensic Fundamentals The underlying science of forensic disciplines for which the human expert is the instrument has been under increasing scrutiny. A recent review in the United States questioned issues relating to the accuracy, reliability and validity of these forensic disciplines and similar challenges have been experienced in courts across Australia and New Zealand. The Forensic Fundamentals project will involve a workshop of subject matter experts to be held in June, to identify the underpinning science and validation requirements for selected human based disciplines. The result of this workshop will be a template which can be used as a guide for forensic technique validation. This template will also be used to conduct a gap analysis on a wider range of human based forensic science disciplines. Areas to be included in the development of the template and subsequent gap analysis are expected to be validation requirements, technique limitations, potential error rates and how to overcome cognitive issues. A report detailing the results of this analysis is expected to be available to the forensic science community in early The outcomes of this analysis may also be used to co-ordinate further research efforts and to inform ANZPAA NIFS investment in the future. AFFSAB Future Directions ANZPAA NIFS currently manages the AFFSAB program covering crime scene investigation, fingerprint investigation and firearm examination. AFFSAB is governed by the AFFSAB Board and was created in 2003 as a broader based accreditation body from the previous National Fingerprint Accreditation Board, established in A review of the potential future directions for AFFSAB is therefore timely. It is envisaged the review would examine the AFFSAB process, with a view to consolidating and streamlining the processes between the disciplines and investigating the potential to extend AFFSAB to cover further forensic disciplines. Evaluative Reporting The objective of this project is to create an Australia and New Zealand template or guideline for evaluative reporting in forensic science. Evaluative reporting provides a balanced, logically correct and robust framework for expressing opinions in a court of law. The framework facilitates the evaluation of the strength of the scientific observations by looking at the probability of the observations given competing propositions. Probabilities can be expressed verbally or numerically and can be underpinned by statistical data, based upon specialist knowledge or experiments conducted under controlled conditions. Interest in evaluative reporting is growing internationally. The European Network of Forensic Science Institutes (ENFSI) created a Guideline for Evaluative Reporting in Forensic Science: Strengthening the Evaluation of Forensic Results across Europe in 2015 to standardise and improve evaluative reporting in ENFSI laboratories. This followed a 2011 position statement by the ENFSI Board supporting the use of evaluative reporting and full implementation of evaluative opinions within ENFSI laboratories (Science and Justice 51.1 (2011): 1-2). This project presents an opportunity for ANZPAA 6

7 NIFS to establish a working group of subject matter experts to assist in the development of a crossdiscipline evaluative reporting guideline or template suitable for use in Australia and New Zealand jurisdictions. The document is intended to be a practical resource to support laboratories who may wish to implement evaluative reporting. Expert Testimony Court Requirements The objective of this project is to create a general access folder on the ANZPAA NIFS secure server to house information relating to expert testimony court requirements. The folder will provide Australia and New Zealand Forensic Laboratories and the Specialist Advisory Groups with a space where they can share documents. It is hoped that this central information resource will aid future cross-discipline development of expert testimony court requirement material. National Familial DNA Searching policy CrimTrac is currently enhancing the National Criminal Investigation DNA Database (NCIDD) to provide a familial searching capability that will be available in the second half of The new National DNA Investigative Capability (NDIC) will assist in establishing relationships between individuals and is useful in the identification of missing persons, unknown deceased remains and victims of mass fatality incidents. In 2013, ANZPAA NIFS worked with stakeholders to develop a draft national familial searching policy that would assist in utilising a cross-jurisdictional NDIC capability. ANZPAA NIFS is now working to update the policy for consideration in time for the new NCIDD functionality. News from the forensic community SAG Updates Quality Managers Forum (QMF): the forensic literature review The Forensic Literature Review was established by Queensland Police and shared amongst Quality Managers nationally. On behalf of the National Quality group, NSW Police Force took on the role of compiling and disseminating the Forensic Literature Review. The Literature Review provides an overview of Forensic related articles, listed by discipline, to allow easy access to material from a variety of journals and publications. The review includes a synopsis written for each article, a link to the article and the reference information. The Literature Review is sent to all Quality Managers by quarterly and a copy is published on the ANZPAA NIFS secure portal for all sections to view. Jacqueline Mardling, QMF ANZPAA Disaster Victim Identification Committee (ADVIC) Update The Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) Community in Australia and New Zealand have been very busy over the past year, fortunately not responding to disasters but instead training, capacity building and planning for events should they be required in the future. ADVIC comprises of law enforcement DVI Commanders from each Australian Police jurisdiction and New Zealand. There are also vital scientific representatives from the fields of odontology, pathology, anthropology, biology and mortuary as well as representatives from the Australian Defence Force (ADF) who attend this annual meeting. ADVIC meets to review any investigations that have occurred, to plan national training activities, prepare for potential events, review policies and procedures as well as identify new technology that may assist in the identification of victims. The last meeting was hosted by Queensland Police in November ADVIC uses the Interpol DVI Guidelines and holds a position on the Interpol DVI Working Group (formerly the Steering Group) that meets twice a year. Each year coinciding with one of the working group meetings is a conference where those involved in the DVI community are invited to attend and contribute to the specific working group break-out sessions as well as receive presentations on recent incidents and technological advances. Traditionally these meetings have occurred in Lyon, France, however with the opening of the Interpol Global Complex for Innovation (IGCI) in Singapore the desire of Interpol is to broaden their reach by hosting conferences and meetings in Singapore. In September 2015, the Chair of ADVIC and 7

8 Image: 27 th DVI conference at Interpol, Lyon, France, May 2016 representatives from the AFP attended the INTERPOL Forensics Workshop for Southeast Asia and the Pacific. In November 2015, the Interpol DVI working group held one of its bi-annual meetings in November at the IGCI in Singapore and this was attended to by Commander Tony Fuller of the Northern Territory Police, the current Chair of ADVIC, along with two Australian scientific representatives in Professor Peter Ellis, the Chair of the Interpol Pathology and Anthropology working group and Professor Alain Middleton the Chair of the Interpol Odontology working group These members of ADVIC also attended the recent Interpol DVI Conference in Lyon in May where they received briefings on the Paris attacks, the Brussels attacks and a number of other recent disasters where DVI was utilised. At this meeting Professor Middleton stood down as chair after serving six years in the sub-group chair position. His service to DVI in this field was rightly acknowledged by the members of the Interpol working group. The working group agreed to host the next annual conference in Singapore in Tentatively the dates for this conference are in the week commencing 15 May This presents a great opportunity for Australian and New Zealand DVI Community members to attend given Singapore s proximity to Australia in comparison to Lyon. It is hoped that a number of regional countries will also attend Singapore making it a perfect opportunity for South-East Asian regional delegates to learn from each other and develop relationships with the other Interpol countries that will be in attendance. Regionally, the Australian Federal Police have had a long standing commitment to DVI capacity building through conducting DVI training programmes. One such program they have supported is the International DVI Workshop which has been jointly facilitated by the Australian Federal Police and the Indonesian National Police at the Jakarta Centre for Law Enforcement Co-operation (JCLEC). Late last year Senior Sergeant Ritchie Callaghan from Queensland Police was fortunate to attend as a participant at the 5th workshop. Nationally, ADVIC has been working with the National Missing Persons Group to find a platform to host the Plassdata system used in the recording of missing persons and/or DVI investigations. This year Crimtrac agreed to host this system known 8

9 as the National Missing Persons and Victim System (NMPVS) and know both groups have a National system that they can use. This is a significant development for all concerned. This month ADVIC will be conducting a National DVI Co-ordinators training session in Canberra where law enforcement and scientific representatives from across Australia and New Zealand will be subjected to a number of training exercises as well as case studies specifically to develop DVI phase coordinators. In the past ADVIC has run a number Commander training programs however it was identified that the co-ordinators needed development opportunities and as a result they will be given this opportunity this month. Australia and New Zealand are already well recognised around the world for their capability and professionalism in the DVI field, with the current training and development underway we can only hope to maintain if not improve this capability praying that we will not have to use these skills but knowing we probably will. Tony Fuller APM, Chair of ADVIC Forensic Societies Australian and New Zealand Forensic Science Society (ANZFSS) Update It took some time in the making, but a Discussion Paper on the Professionalisation of the Australian and New Zealand Forensic Science Society (ANZFSS) ( including recommendations for the creation of a professional membership category, has been considered by ANZFSS members through a society-wide survey in March The feedback is overwhelmingly positive: out of 262 responses, as strong majority of respondents have indicated professionalisation of the ANZFSS was desirable or highly desirable (84%); 68% of respondents have also said they would (44%) or would probably (24%) apply for professional membership if available. While the responses to open questions identified a few areas that require further refinement, these strong results demonstrate that the membership is in broad agreement with the proposed directions and the Society may be ripe for this change. As a result, further refinements to the proposed model are being made and a final document, with associated revised Rules of Association, will be proposed to the ANZFSS membership ahead of the Auckland AGM in September. The ANZFSS Executive and Council are convinced that the proposed direction provide the capacity to drive the Society into the future, enhancing the professional identity of the Society as a whole. The new ANZFSS will recognise: 1. those members who can qualify as professional (i.e. someone who derive their income from their expertise or specific talents, as opposed to a hobbyist or amateur) 2. professionalism (i.e. the personally held beliefs about one s own conduct as a professional) while allowing general interest and student members to remain active members of the Society. And of course Life Membership will continue to represent the highest honour of the Society. After all, accepting such a change will only put us on a par with our sister societies in the UK and USA. The organisation of the ANZFSS Symposium is sprinting to the finish line. The Society is very grateful to Sarah Scott and her Organising Committee and the PCO, Conference Innovators, for their enthusiastic and dedicated work and to all sponsors for their support. Everything is shaping well from the plenary program to the exhibition through the workshop or social program. Sixty travel scholarships have been awarded this year a record. Branches are currently considering top-ups and/or additional scholarships. I also take this opportunity to thank NIFS, SMANZFL and everyone in the Australian and New Zealand forensic science community for their ongoing support to the Society in general and to the Symposium in particular. Please visit to stay in touch with the latest news from Auckland. I look forward to seeing you there. Prof. Claude Roux President Australian & NZ Forensic Science Society 9

10 Australian Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS) Update Research Fellowship - Oscar Rivers Schmalzbach Foundation Oscar Rivers Schmalzbach was born in Poland in April 1912 and migrated to Australia in 1949, arriving in Sydney where he was a medical officer at Callan Park Hospital. He became the president of the Australian Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS) from 1985 to The AAFS is offering a research fellowship of up to $15,000. Applicants must clearly demonstrate how their proposal will achieve the objects of the Academy, i.e: Encourage the study, improve the practice and advance the knowledge of the forensic sciences. Generally do all things as may be calculated to widen, improve and develop the education and knowledge both of those actively concerned in the pursuit of the forensic sciences and, of the public. Relevant activities may include contributing to support for travel and other costs associated with research (but not solely attendance at a conference or symposium), direct support for specific research, support for education or scholarship or any other activity deemed appropriate. Applications must be submitted on the appropriate form which can be downloaded from the Academy website ( The closing date for applications is 30 June Today, AFFSAB accredits 367 forensic practitioners in Australia. To qualify for AFFSAB accreditation, potential members must complete a relevant national training program, pass an exam and meet a number of experience criteria. Members maintain accreditation through successful completion of an annual proficiency test. Interest in expanding the AFFSAB program is growing because practitioner certification (accreditation) is seen as an important element to ensuring the reliability of forensic evidence. Throughout the year many new applications for AFFSAB accreditations and re-accreditations are assessed, approved and awarded in Australian States and Territories. Congratulations to Virginia Lau and Nick Walkins of Victoria Police who received their official AFFSAB accreditation awards along with many others at a ceremony held on 2 March 2016 in Melbourne. Awards were presented by Deputy Commissioner Shane Patten of Victoria Police Specialist Operations. Australasian Forensic Field Sciences Accreditation Board (AFFSAB) The Australasian Forensic Field Sciences Accreditation Board (AFFSAB) is committed to enhancing professionalisation of forensic field examiners and promoting confidence in the forensic sciences throughout Australia. It was established in 2001 under the auspices of the former Australasian Police Education Standards Council to accredit fingerprint examiners. The program was later expanded to include accreditation of crime scene investigation and forensic firearm examiners, and came under the co-ordination of ANZPAA NIFS in Image Top: Virginia Lau and Deputy Commissioner Shane Patten. Image Bottom: Nick Walkins and Deputy Commissioner Shane Patten. 10

11 Workshops reports Shoe & Tyre SWG Transitioning shoemark comparisons to a digital workflow April 2016 From April 2016 the Shoe & Tyre SWG held a course to train shoemark examiners in the digital comparison process. The course was held at the NSW Police Force Headquarters in Parramatta, Sydney, and was facilitated by Sergeant David Veldhoen of South Australia Police Forensic Response Section. As other comparison disciplines such as fingerprints have progressed to onscreen digital comparisons in recent years, a knowledge gap was identified in many jurisdictions as to the ability of the shoe and tyre discipline to follow on this path. South Australia Police have conducted shoe and tyre comparisons in this manner for a number of years using the Adobe Photoshop software package, however other jurisdictions were yet to fully adopt this process, or were doing so on an ad hoc basis. A priority for the SWG was to facilitate a train the trainer style course to standardise the digital comparison process around the region. Onscreen comparisons have a number of advantages over the traditional hard copy or analogue comparison method; preventing the potential loss of resolution during the printing process, reducing the need to purchase costly highend printers, permitting the viewing and overlay of a range of images and enhancement results at once, and allowing instant enlargement of miniscule features that examiners rely on to conduct comparisons. Digital comparisons also facilitate electronic peer reviews and mentoring, an immense benefit for cross-jurisdictional co-operation and for jurisdictions with remote crime scene sections. Anecdotal evidence from SA Police suggests that digital comparisons can increase the number of identifications resulting from shoemark comparisons, where previously only a class characteristics association may have been made. Photoshop is the software package of choice as the layers functionality enables the transparent overlay process crucial in shoe comparisons. The course involved participants from all jurisdictions in Australia and New Zealand bar one, and it was extremely well received. At the conclusion of the course, the SWG reached an agreement that the digital comparison process will be designated as best practice for the discipline and all participating jurisdictions will move to transition their standard operating procedures to this method. This is a considerable progression for the shoe and tyre discipline around the region, following on from the standardisation of terminology and conclusion scale in All credit for developing the course and accompanying manual goes to Sergeant Veldhoen, whose considerable dedication and meticulous work over many years has the shoe and tyre discipline moving to a standard rarely seen internationally. Sergeant Veldhoen s willingness to share his knowledge and efforts with the wider community for the benefit of the discipline is greatly appreciated. Many thanks also to ANZFAA NIFS for sponsoring the course, and to Ms Fiona Martin of the NSW Police Force Forensic Services Group for considerable administrative and technical assistance. Dr Jennifer Raymond NSW Police Force Forensic Services Group Chair, Shoe and Tyre SWG Image Top: workshop participants were Jennifer Raymond (NSWPol), Letitia Everist (QPol), Peter Cox (VicPol), Janina Neale (ESR), David Veldhoen (SAPol), Michelle Weir (AFP), Tania Curtis (TasPol), Nick Watkins (VicPol), Merrilyn Hurst (AFP), Michael McFarlane (NSWPol), Russell Moseley (QPol), Tim Sandry (NTPol) Image Bottom: Workshop in progress. 11

12 Fingerprint SAG National Fingerprint Training Consolidation Workshop May 2016 In light of the impending changes to the ANZPAA Policy and Processes for Accreditation the Fingerprint SAG considered the impact the new policy would have on the training and education regimes in each jurisdiction. The aim of the workshop was to consolidate training methods, knowledge base, resources and assessment practices and review current fingerprint training nationally. A training framework would be created and mapped directly to the Education and Training Guidelines for Fingerprint Investigation and the Graduate Certificate in Fingerprint Identification. The development of the new framework will allow each jurisdiction to have nationally consistent education and training whilst running an independent curriculum designed for their own workplace structure. The workshop ran for 3 days and included representatives from all Australian fingerprint investigative authorities. The workshop was opened by ANZPAA NIFS General Manager Dean Catoggio followed by introductions from Senior Forensic Project Officer Eva Bruenisholz and ANZPAA NIFS Director Dr Linzi Wilson-Wilde. The workshop was coordinated by Scott Osborn (AFP) and Martin Archer (WAPOL) with invaluable guidance on education and training structure from ANZPAA Professionalisation, Standards and Education Manager Milan Orgad. The workshop was attended by a rep from each jurisdiction. The workshop began with the collation of learning outcomes, proficiency requirements from all representatives and separating the information into modules structured around the practice domains of the Education and Training Guidelines. The workshop was fortunate to have an entire group of representatives all focused on achieving similar outcomes with little if no disagreements. As a result an extensive set of modules were created to which a list of assessment requirements were then developed. The workshop achieved excellent results producing a comprehensive education, training and assessment framework. Work will continue beyond the workshop to consolidate knowledge and resources. The end result will see a comprehensive National Fingerprint Education and Training Framework packaged into modules and online resources. Jurisdictions will have online access to this material via the ANZPAA NIFS Secure Server facility. This will allow jurisdictions to ensure alignment and consistency to a national framework whilst delivering a curriculum specific to their own operational needs. The Fingerprint SAG wishes to thank and acknowledge the assistance and support provided by the management and staff at ANZPAA NIFS. Martin Archer, FP SAG Image Top: Workshop in progress. Image Bottom: Workshop participants were Scott Osborn (AFP), Duncan McCarthy (QPol), Martin Archer (WAPol), Sonia Geremia (VicPol), Tracey Tobin (TasPol), Donna Rattley (SAPol), Paul Peacock (QPol), Robyn Davies (DIBP), Sophia Arulappu (VicPol), Pauline Setter (NTPol), Peter Hennessy (NSWPol), Ian Rowney (NSWPol) 12

13 Reminder: John Harber Philips Award (JHP Award) Nominations for the JHP Award are opened, closing date 1 August The John Harber Phillips Award serves to further promote and reward outstanding contributions to the advancement of the forensic sciences. This Award is a peer recognition award and is the most prestigious award given for individual contribution in the field of forensic sciences. Nominees will include individual Australian or New Zealand citizens, who have made significant contribution in the field of the forensic sciences in Australia and/or New Zealand. More information on the nomination process and application can be found at au/nifs/our-work/awards/john-harber-phillips-award. Awards ANZPAA NIFS Best Paper Awards 2014 On 5 May 2016, Dr Linz Wilson-Wilde OAM presented the last 2014 NIFS Best Paper Awards at ChemCentre, Perth, WA, with ChemCentre director Colin Priddis. Opening of the ANZPAA NIFS Best Paper Awards 2016 The ANZPAA NIFS Best Paper Awards were created to recognise the contribution of Australian and New Zealand practitioners to the broader forensic science community. The Best Paper Award categories are: Best Paper in a Refereed Journal Best Technical Article or Note Best Chapter in a Book Best Literature Review Best Case Study The Henry Delaforce Award Entries must have been published in hard copy in the previous financial year for them to be considered. The lead authors must also be from Australia or New Zealand. At least one of the authors must be a current forensic practitioner working in a government laboratory in Australia or New Zealand. For the Henry Delaforce Award, the lead author must be a serving police officer. Six printed copies of the entry must be received by ANZPAA NIFS by the last Friday in September (30 September 2016). More information on the application process can be found at: Image: Peter Collins, Dr Linzi Wilson-Wilde, Colin Priddis 13

14 Events Calendar 2016 PT th INTERPOL Police Training Symposium June 2016 Singapore, Singapore Events/2016/20th-INTERPOL-Police-Training- Symposium2/20th-INTERPOL-Police-Training- Symposium ICTTP th International Conference on Traffic & Traffic Transport Psychology 2-5 August 2016 Brisbane, Australia IAI Forensic Educational Conference st International Association for Identification 7 13 August 2016 Cincinnati, Ohio, USA Victims and Justice National Conference 8 9 August 2016 Melbourne, Victoria ssionals/2016+justice+and+victims+conference/ IPES th International Police Executive Symposium Annual Meeting 8 13 August 2016 Washington DC, USA AFSN th Annual Meeting and Symposium of the Asian Forensic Sciences Network August 2016 Bangkok, Thailand ASQDE th Annual General Meeting of the American Society of Questioned Document Examiners August 2016 Pensacola Beach, Florida, USA The Changing Face of Drug Abuse in the US: Medical & Legal Cannabis; the Opioid Epidemic; Novel Psychoactive Substances. Professor Marilyn Huestis 25 August 2016, 6pm, Clemenger auditorium, National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne TIAFT th Annual meeting of the International Association of Forensic Toxicologists 28 August 1 September 2016 Brisbane, Australia AAFI 2016 The Australasian Association of Fire Investigators Conference September 2016 Sydney, Australia ANZFSS rd International Symposium on the Forensic Sciences September 2016 Auckland, New Zealand IIPCIC th International Law Enforcement Intellectual Property Crime Conference September 2016 London, UK ISHI 2016 International Symposium on Human Identification September 2016 Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA IABPA 2016 Training Conference of the International Association of Bloodstain Pattern Analysts 4 8 October 2016 Salt Lake City, Utah, USA

15 FSCR th Annual International Conference on Forensic Science Criminalistics Research November 2016 Bangkok, Thailand AWMS th Annual Australasian Wildlife Management Society (AWMS) conference 28 November 1 December 2016 Auckland, New Zealand ANZSOC th Annual Australian and New Zealand Society of Criminology conference 29 November 2 December 2016 Hobart, Tasmania 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. 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 Nicholas Vandenberg: nicholas.vandenberg@ anzpaa.org.au 2017 IALFS nd Annual Middle East Congress of the International Association of Law and Forensic Science January 2017 Intercontinental City Stars, Cairo, Egypt Crime and Justice in Asia and the Global South July 2017 Cairns, Australia ISFG th International Congress of the Society for Forensic Genetics 28 August 1 September 2017 Seoul, South Korea ANZPAA NIFS Level 6, Tower 3, World Trade Centre 637 Flinders Street, Docklands Victoria 3008 T F secretariat.nifs@anzpaa.org.au