Message from Adrian Linacre – President

Welcome to the last Newsletter of 2016 – and the first newsletter from your new Executive. While looking to the future, I must acknowledge the tireless work of the previous Executive. James Wallman as the previous secretary made so many improvements to the working of the society; all of us will have experienced the streamlined membership application and renewal process. The society is in a very healthy financial state due to Chris Lennard’s prudent role as treasurer. Anna Davey provided all the support as Vice President as required and edited the newsletters; thus setting the bar very high. Matt Gittos, as the previous NZ Vice President, should receive full accolade for his work in the Auckland symposium. Finally Claude Roux for the last 6 years dedicated so much time to the ANZFSS such that the society enjoys an international profile and has been a voice for all members. Many thanks to all – especially in the recent transition period.

So now we have a new Executive team. James Curran (Vice President New Zealand) has already provided insightful comments and is chairing the team assessing the Allan Hodda award applications. I look forward to his support in the future. Ali Sears (Vice President Aust.) is tasked with the Professionalisation process (more below). Kate Grimwood has taken to the treasure’s role already and will keep us financially secure. I am delighted that Carolyne Bird has taken on the onerous task as Secretary. With Claude staying on as Immediate Past President, I am confident we have an excellent mix of practitioners and academics to reflect our membership, and will ensure that the Executive functions effectively. The web site (www.anzfss.org) is up-to-date and will be a great source of information. A few immediate tasks. South Australia’s Branch President Nat Mitchell has made a call for nominations for the Adelaide Medal. The Adelaide Medal was established in 1990 when the International Association of Forensic Sciences (IAFS) was hosted by the city that gave the name to the award. The award is presented to someone who has made a significant and outstanding contribution to the forensic sciences (see http://anzfss.org/the-adelaide-medal/). The previous winner was our own Tony Raymond with the winner before being Angel Carracedo from Spain; so whoever is awarded the medal this time follows in some prominent and illustrious predecessors. Please send any nominations to the South

ANZFSS News

Volume 8, Issue 1 December 2016

Australian Branch President, Nat Mitchell (Natasha.Mitchell@sa.gov.au) The winner will be presented with the award at IAFS Toronto, Canada, in August 2017. Many of you would have seen the call for applications for the Allan Hodda Award. The closing date saw many applications all of a high standard. A small team chaired by James Curran has been reviewing the applications. I would like to thank all members who applied. The 2016 winner will be announced very soon. Over the course of the next year Ali Sears will be chairing a small group to further develop the ANZFSS Professional Membership category. Following the membership vote in favour of this at the AGM in Auckland, and while the concept is one we endorsed, the devil really is in the detail. It is essential we get this right – the professionalization of the society will give greater credibility to the ANZFSS. More from Ali in a future newsletter. Having been an ordinary society member, SA Branch Vice President, then SA Branch President, I am all too aware that the life-blood of the ANZFSS lies with the branches. Our membership is composed of a very broad spectrum of individuals, all of whom have an interest in forensic science. Our activities as a whole must

reflect our membership. While developing a professional membership category, we need to keep in mind all our members. Public talks presenting a wide range of forensic science is the interface with our members. I like the idea of sharing ideas for talks and possible speakers across the branches – what is popular in one branch may be popular across all our branches. Please note that we now have a platform for sharing videoed presentations. All members can access these and they are an excellent resource – if you have not had a look at our web site then please do so! One aim I have in my tenure as National President is to increase further the international profile of the ANZFSS. Claude was prominent in this in the past and I aim to continue in his footsteps. I ask all members who go to international conferences to promote our society at every opportunity. The organisers of the 2018 symposium in Perth have generated a slide that I can pass on. I wish you all a very enjoyable, peaceful and happy Christmas as well as a celebratory New Year (Hogmanay for those of us with Scottish heritage)

Adrian ANZFSS President

Outgoing ANZFSS Executive Team (from L to R):

Mr Matt Gittos (NZ VP), Prof Chris Lennard (Treasurer), Prof

James Wallman (Secretary), Ms Anna Davey (Aust. VP) and

Prof Claude Roux (President)

Vale Dr Bryan Found Chief Forensic Scientist, Victoria Police Forensic Services Department Bryan Found was a world-renowned forensic scientist and researcher, who worked tirelessly to improve the application of scientific methods to the criminal justice system both in Victoria and across the world. As the Chief Forensic Scientist at Victoria Police Forensic Services Department since 2012, he enhanced the rigour of forensic science across many domains, beginning with his own specialist area of document and handwriting examination. As a caseworker at Victoria Police Forensic Service Department and Senior Research Fellow at La Trobe University for many years, Bryan combined innovative research and operational knowledge to transform the field of document examination. However, it was Bryan's work on cognitive forensics that introduced him to a wider forensic audience.

Many within the Australian and New Zealand community will remember his entertaining plenary lecture at the 2012 ANZFSS Symposium on cognitive bias and human factors, followed by a paper within the Australian Journal of Forensic Sciences. Bryan was a key driver in introducing blinded examination to document examination in Victoria Police, and worked tirelessly to minimise the potential impact of domain irrelevant information on practitioner's opinions across all forensic disciplines. In conjunction, Bryan led the development and implementation of new reporting practices for Victoria Police Forensic Services Department, with a focus on transparency and comprehension for the stakeholder. As the first Chief Forensic Scientist at VPFSD, Bryan brought a strong focus on validity, reliability and transparency, with numerous research projects and educational workshops devoted to improving both the scientific health and service delivery provided to stakeholders. His vast network of friends, colleagues and collaborators across the world speak to his impact on the community, and his personable and charismatic nature. Bryan could usually be found at meetings and conferences tucked away in discussions about the latest research and paradigms, red wine in hand. He was much respected, locally, nationally, and internationally, and his unexpected passing is a loss to the global forensic community. Bryan was a committed and proud member of ANZFSS, supporting the society in many different ways across his many years of membership. He was a former President of the Victorian Branch (twice), and as the Chair of the Organising Committee for the 2008 Melbourne Symposium, instigated the infamous cask wine tradition. He was inducted as a Life Member at the recent Auckland symposium, and has left a bequest that a scholarship be set up in his name to support students attend the ANZFSS symposium, so that great research and insightful discussion may continue in his memory.

Kia Ora! Report on the 23rd Symposium

An amazing 803 delegates enjoyed the scientific experience that was the 23rd symposium of the ANZFSS. Delegate numbers were dominated not surprisingly by Australians (399), with New Zealanders coming a close second (191). The international nature of the ANZFSS was underlined by 40 coming from the UK and an amazing 68 coming across the Pacific from the USA. It is always excellent to see so many (126) student early career delegates. Numbers are only a part of the story as the quality of the science is paramount. A list of worthy award winners is listed below. The quality and depth of science on display underscores the importance of research and developing technologies that underpins the forensic sciences. This is in contrast to the criticism often levelled elsewhere in the world that such science is lacking. The venue allowed close connection of

the delegates with the exhibitors. A

total of 41 companies displayed their

products allowing us to mingle and

learn at times such as important coffee

breaks.

The symposium witnessed the introduction of electronic posters. Many might have been sceptical about the mode of displaying important data, but the clarity was excellent and the number of terminals allowed sufficient time to view. Added to this was the lack of a need to travel to and from New Zealand for some of us without having to carry a bundle of rolled up posters. All-in-all the trial of electronic posters was a success and one for the future. As usual there were social events. Strange how these can often live longer in the memory than the scientific presentations. The Welcome Reception set the tone, then a trip to the Aviation Hall of the Museum of Transport and Technology. Well done to so many for entering into the spirit and donning appropriate costumes. The Gala Dinner did not disappoint being staged in an amazing venue with much fun had by all. Congratulations again to Sarah Scott, Matt Gittos, Jo-Anne Bright and all the team for organising such a memorable symposium. Perth now has a hard act to follow.

Symposium in numbers: 803 delegates, 33 countries, 383 oral presentations, 192 electronic posters, 9 plenaries.

Discipline Award Winners!

Best Oral Presentation

Highly Commended Oral Presentation

Best Poster

Highly Commended Poster

Archaeology & Anthropology

Sherry Nakhaeizadeh

Shari Forbes

Stephanie Marhoff

Biology - Casework

Kate Cheong-Wing

Nick Curnow

Jeremy Austin

Andrew Donnelly

Biology – Research

Runa Daniel

Patricia Albani

Emily Rowe

Linda Wurfel

Blood Pattern Analysis

Kirstie Caren

Ravishka Arthur

Eryn Kwon

Botany

Kirstie Scott

Douglas Jardine

Chemical Criminalistics

Kim Quayle

Sally Gamble

Kareana Uern

Alison Beavis

Clandestine Labs

Cameron Johnson

Jenna Wolf

Deborah Stephen

Vivienne Hassan

Crime Scene Investigation

Scott Harris

John Berketa

Petr Bendl

Document Examination

Caroline Mireault

Nicole Chandler

Susan Joseph

Education & Training

Carol Henderson

Gavin Henderson

Barbara Larkin

Electronic & Digital Evidence

Kurt McManus

Dana Michalski

Fingerprints

Xavier Conlan

Chris Lennard

Indrika Benedict

Stephanie Oliver

Fire Investigations

Holly Yu

Alexander Smyth

Alexander Smyth

Holly Yu

Firearms & Toolmarks

Gerald Dutton

Cedric Parisien

Firms/Isotopes

Jennifer Mallette

Christy Mancuso

Brett Tipple

Management & Quality Assurance

Dorothea Delpech

Thekla Ganiaris

Therese McCusker

Odontology

Haskell Pitluck

Lyndall Smythe

Pathology & Forensic Medicine

Agathe Ribereau-Gayon

Martin Evison

Gemma Innes

Paola Magni

Science & Justice

Helen Earwaker

Robert Parkinson

Toxicology & Pharmacology

Eric Teoh

Taryn Guinan

Wildlife, Fisheries & Entomology

Natalie Gasz

Greta Frankham

The Ian Riebeling Medal for New Practitioners:

We are very pleased to record the winner of this important award was

Felicity Koens

Felicity graduated from the University of Canberra in 2013 with a Bachelor of Applied Science (Honours). She is currently employed as a forensic chemist for the Australian Federal Police, Chemical Criminalistics team. Felicity gave a presentation titled: “A background survey of polymers in the ACT – diversity in isotopic abundance”

Induction of Life Members

Dr Bryan Found

Chief Forensic Scientist, Victoria Police Forensic Services Department

Dr Keith Bedford

General Manager (Retired 2016),

Institute of Environmental Science and Research Ltd (ESR) New Zealand

The ANZFSS 24th International Symposium on the Forensic Sciences will be

held in Perth, Western Australia from 9-13 September 2018.

The theme of the Symposium is “Forensic Science Without Borders” and will bring

together experts from a range of science disciplines and jurisdictions. The

Symposium will provide participants with an invaluable opportunity to share

knowledge, develop ideas and network with colleagues from around the globe.

Perth has recently been voted the 7th most liveable city in the world and has grown

to become an urban cool destination complemented by natural beauty and

attractions.

The city boasts an array of bars, restaurants, shopping and cultural areas while the

surrounding regions play host to spectacular scenery and wineries for those who

venture beyond the city limits. We look forward to welcoming you to Perth.

ANZFSS 2018 Organising Committee

WE INVITE YOU TO

There are many ways you can stay up to date with many ANZFSS events happening in your state in 2017: ensure your email address is up-to-date, keep an eye on our website www.anzfss.org and, for some branches, you can also keep up

to date on Facebook

MERRY CHRISTMAS The ANZFSS Executive wish all the Members a safe and festive Christmas Season.

We wish you a wonderful Christmas and New Year period this year and ask that you remember those that aren’t with us, though we wish they were.

All the best for a wonderful, exciting and peaceful 2017.

With thanks,

The ANZFSS Executive Committee.