ANZFSS (WA Branch) May 2001 Newsletter

Forensic Expertise Profiling

(Dr Bryan Found at PHQ - Exposé on Forensic Expertise Profiling Laboratory))

Our first meeting of the year was held on Monday 15th January at Police Headquarters. Sorry to those of you that missed out, but Bryan Found was only over for a short time and it was a case of have the meeting at short notice or not at all. Despite this lack of notice over forty people attended a very interesting meeting.

Dr Found spoke on a program aimed at characterising expertise associated with human perceptual and cognitive processes used in forensic handwriting identification. Significant criticisms of this field, particularly in America, led to the development of this program.

The FEPL has evolved over the past 6 years through collaborations between the School of Human Biosciences (La Trobe University), the Special Advisory Group (Document Examination) and the National Institute of Forensic Science.

To date over 15,000 blind trial opinions have been collectively expressed by the participants on handwriting and signature trials.

Participants in the trial will be issued with an annual certificate that profiles the nature of their expertise in terms of potential error, conservatism and correct rates. This certificate will provide courts of law with information regarding forensic handwriting expertise that had been previously unavailable.

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Fisheries Dept WA - Serious Offences Unit

Our guest speaker at the December 1999 AGM, was Mr John Breeden, OIC of the Fisheries Dept’s Serious Offences Unit. John gave a fascinating, yet alarming insight of organised crime syndicates moving into an ever increasing black-market fishing industry.

Millions of dollars are at stake in this trade of high value fish species, which include abalone, rock lobster and jewfish. Some species are under threat due to this mostly uncontrolled plundering of rivers and oceans.

In one recent investigation, named appropriately ‘Singapore Noodle’, 8 people were prosecuted and fines of $500,000 were imposed on the illegal traders. Three boats were also confiscated by the court.

Despite the impressive use of modern surveillance and communications technology, and highly refined procedures adopted by the Fisheries Dept, their task is being made increasingly difficult and dangerous by the huge illegal profits being made

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Bereavement - Dennis Herring

It is with great sadness that we mourn the passing of our friend and valued member Dennis Herring on Wednesday 7th February 2001.

He passed away peacefully in the Mount Hospital after a short but courageous battle with a cancer.

Socially Dennis was always keen to mix with his colleagues and was usually one of the last to leave. He will be sorely missed.

Dennis is survived by his wife Judy and sons Matthew and Andrew.

The Committee and general membership extend their deepest sympathies to his family.

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Bereavement - Ian Riebeling

Ian Riebeling passed away suddenly in late February, during a weekend social game of golf.

He was only 42 and is survived by his wife, Janene, and three young daughters Courtney (8), Shawna (5) and Paris (1).

For many years Ian was a forensic document examiner with the South Australian Forensic Science Laboratory, Adelaide

Ian will always be remembered as an active member and promoter of the aims of our Society. Last year he held the position of President for the South Australian Branch, which was one of many positions he had held over numerous years.

Given the slightest opportunity, Ian would always be at the forefront promoting both our Society and the various disciplines represented by the ANZFSS.

The memorial service was well attended with over 400 mourners present, many of whom travelled interstate to be there on that extremely sad occasion. However his family were considerably heartened by the large turnout of friends and fellow forensic practitioners, who came in quiet tribute to this young and energetic man.

The State Executive committee and members wish to extend their deepest condolences to Ian’s family

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Michael Duffy Travel Fellowships

The Michael Duffy Travel Fellowship provides an opportunity for forensic practitioners to travel to an overseas meeting and to visit laboratories and centres of specialisation which are relevant to their discipline.

Closing dates for applications are usually at the end of September each year. APPLICATIONS RECEIVED AFTER THE CLOSING DATE WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.

Following assessment of applications by the NIFS Panel of Advisers, recommendations are forwarded to the Board of Control for consideration. Applicants are notified of the outcome of their application by early December.

The assessment criteria adopted by the Panel and Board are not inflexible. Factors taken into consideration include, the calibre of the meeting to be attended, the quality of the centres to be visited, the likely benefits to the recipient and or their organisation and the Australian forensic community at large. A reason for attending the meeting at the nominated laboratories or centres of specialisation must also be given.

Preference will be given to those applicants who submit a paper for presentation at their nominated meeting. The abstract of the paper will be considered as part of the assessment process.

The funding available for each Travel Fellowship is $8,500. This includes funding to travel to the Australian and New Zealand Forensic Science Society Symposium (ANZFSS) to present a paper on the outcomes of the Fellowship.

The Travel Fellowship is for a maximum duration of four weeks and must be completed during the year it is awarded. In addition to the presentation to the ANZFSS Symposium, recipients must provide a written report to NIFS within three months of completing the travel. The report must include, an executive summary, an itinerary, a report on the meeting attended, the key outcomes of each centre visited and details of the personal, organisational and national benefits. Derived from the process.

Interviews with the applicants by the Panel of Advisers may be required as part of the assessment process.

Successful applicants are required to acknowledge the financial support given by NIFS in any publication, article, feature or presentation.

Further details about this scheme, together with a PDF application form, may be obtained from the NIFS website at: www.nifs.com.au/fellowship%20criteria.htm

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Australia Joins Paint Database Query

(By Peter Collins)

Australian physical evidence laboratories are to participate in an initiative to create an international database of automotive paint types. The Paint Database Query (PDQ) was initiated by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Labs in Ottawa and now includes the USA (FBI and SWIGMAT), Europe (European Forensic Science Institute) and Japan (Japanese National Police Agency).

Australia will provide 60 samples of painted panels a year, initially taken at random from vehicles with Australian compliance. The sample is taken with a hole saw of 4 cm diameter. The samples will be sent to Ottawa, separated into layers, analysed by infrared spectroscopy and the results entered into the databases.

Australian labs have been provided with the current database of approximately ten thousand entries which is immediately accessible. The database is updated every six months. The main purpose of the database is to identify motor vehicles from paint chips transferred during hit run incidents. Additionally, labs are kept in tune with the many changes occurring in automotive paint technology.

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Visit to Centre for Medical and Surgical Skill

The second meeting for the year enabled 54 members the opportunity to tour CTEC (Centre for Medical and Surgical Skills) at the University of W.A.

Thanks to an introductory lecture and guided tour by Dr Ron Swann and Peter McIntosh the unique centre was fully appreciated.

The centre provides a superb facility in which surgeons and medical professionals can undertake skills related training away from the pressures and disruptions of the hospital and workplace environment.

It provides ten custom made workstations, each furnished to exacting standards equalling the operating theatre environment, and equipped with the very latest conventional surgery and endoscopic instrumentation for all disciplines, thanks to the generous support of industry sponsors.

The scope of the audio-visual technology installed allows for local, interstate and international live transmissions via fibre optic and satellite links, in addition to video conferencing, video projection, dual slide projection, and laptop presentations.

The Centre can proudly boast to being the most technically advanced medical and surgical skills training centre in the southern hemisphere.

Following the tour members relaxed over a drink and barbecue held on the grassed area of Matilda Bay.

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Next Branch Meeting

Our next branch meeting will be at 1800 hrs on Wednesday 30th May, at:

Lockett Lecture Theatre

(Part of F.J. Clarke Lecture Theatre)
Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital
Monash Avenue
Nedlands

Presenter:

Dr Ross Zumwalt
Chief Medical Examiner
New Mexico

A detailed flyer will follow by post and email soon!

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Reminder

Annual subs are now due from all members.

At an incredibly low cost of $35.00 your subscription gives you several high quality presentations each year, as well as copious food & drink, newsletters, forensic links and other information.

Please send cheques to Hon Secretary:

Tim Currie
125 Hay Street
East Perth
WA 6001

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Australian Institute of Criminology Conferences 2001

International Policing Conference 2001 (SA Police with ACPR AIPM & AIC). 6-8 March in Adelaide, South Australia.

Children, Young People & Communities - The Future is in our Hands ( Dept of Health & Human Services, University of Tasmania & AIC). 27-28 March in Launceston, Tasmania.

Fourth National Outlook Symposium on Crime in Australia: New Crimes or New Responses. 21-22 June in Canberra, ACT

The Character, Impact & Prevention of Crime in Regional Australia. 2-3 August in Townsville, Queensland

Best Practice Interventions in Corrections for Indigenous People. 8-9 October at Sydney Hilton Hotel, NSW

Police & Partnerships in a multicultural Australia: Achievements & Challenges. 25-26 October in Brisbane, Queensland

Mental Health & Criminal Justice Workshops (at the 21st Annual ANZAPPL Congress, 2001; ANZAPPL, with AIC & Forensicare, the Victorian Institute of Forensic Mental Health. 21-22 November in Melbourne, Victoria

Conferences 2002

Crime, Housing Policy & Social Capital. March in Canberra, ACT

ANZFSS Conference, Canberra, ACT. 12-17 May

Schools & Crime Prevention. July in Canberra, ACT.

(For more info, please see www.aic.gov.au or contact Julie Dixon at 02 6260 9229 or email Julie.Dixon@aic.gov.au )

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President’s Report (Stephen Knott - President WA Branch ANZFSS)

One of the first tasks of a new president is to read all the relevant paperwork. In doing so it struck me that as members we should keep in mind the main objective of the societies Rules of Association that is “The object of the Association shall be to advance the study and application of forensic science and facilitate co-operation amongst persons interested there in”.

I believe this highlights the fact that the association is for all members in all areas to work together to advance our knowledge in the forensic sciences.

In order to stimulate research and involvement of its members, the society has available two travel scholarships to the biannual conference, which is held in either Australia or New Zealand. NIFS (National Institute of Forensic Science) also has grants available for specific areas. (Details elsewhere in the newsletter, and also on this website).

I would encourage members to start planning towards representing our branch at the Canberra conference in May next year, with either a lecture or poster presentation. Even if not presenting start lobbying your department now, for possible funding. The last three symposiums I have attended were scientifically and socially excellent.

Thanks to Peter Thomas, Suellen Blackaby and Tim Currie for volunteering to produce the Newsletters. Give them your support by forwarding scientific updates in your field; future workshops or conferences and even personal pares. Peter assures me he won’t complain if he receives too much material.

The numbers and positive feedback from members who have attended the last two meetings has been rewarding to the organising committee. The Committee would appreciate any input on future guest speakers and constructive ideas on the running of the society.

I encourage all members to come to meetings to join with colleagues in an informal atmosphere and find out what is the latest in the forensic area.

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