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Welcome to the Inaugural ANZFSS Newsletter
The Australian & New Zealand Forensic Science Society now has it's own newsletter, which will be providing you with the latest information from the world of Forensic Science. We will be bringing you, as members, news and issues of forensic importance from both the local & the national scene. Details of upcoming meetings and social events will also be posted in the newsletter.
Information of a less serious, but just as interesting nature, such as books and movies of forensic interest will also be reviewed. For those members who enjoy a good 'surf' on the Net, we will have information relating to Forensic web sites. So any members that have comments or stories to tell, please share them with us. WA has played host to several overseas forensic identities during the first half of 2000. The first visitor was internationally renowned author and Forensic Anthropologist, Dr Kathy Reichs. Kathy is the author of a series of popular, forensically oriented, novels, which include Death De Jour and Déjà Dead. In May of this year, Kathy who, as part of a literary lecture tour, delivered several well received talks relating to both her work as a novelist and her experiences as a Forensic Anthropologist. A workshop held at UWA, as a component of the graduate Forensic Science Course, provided an excellent forum for many of the students to gain valuable insight into how forensic science and the popular literary culture are interwoven. A month later, DS Robin Napper of the National Crime Faculty in the UK also visited WA and presented a series of seminars and lectures for the WAPS and the general public on DNA Databases. Robin is an expert in DNA Database networks and has over 30yrs experience in a wide variety of international policing issues. He is currently seconded to the NSW Police Service to aid in the setting up of a Crime Faculty and to assist in law enforcement issues relating to the Sydney Olympics. Hopefully, the second half of 2000 will see visitors of similar Forensic expertise. Meanwhile, the WA Branch of the ANZFSS has been busy organising its own series of 'visiting experts'. Also in May, at part of the special lecture series, Det Sgt Andrew Grosse of the NSW Police Service presented a talk on the Belanglo Backpacker Homicides. Andrew was one of the primary investigators leading this case. A large crowd, attended the FJ Clarke Lecture Theatre (approx. 300) were treated to an excellent and comprehensive 2 hour presentation covering all aspects of the investigation. Although the subject mater was somewhat grim, everyone was thoroughly entertained for the entire evening. The second of our interstate speakers will be Sgt Gerard Dutton of the Tasmanian Police Service. Gerard is an internationally renowned ballistics expert who was involved in three of the most notorious homicide investigations in Australia's history. The murder of Victor Chang, and the killings at Port Arthur and the Belanglo Forest were all characterised by the use of firearms. Each of these cases will serve as a backdrop for the detailed examination of ballistics evidence. Information regarding upcoming meetings in our regular program is available below Congratulations to Sgt Bryn Jones (WAPS), Mr Laurie Webb and Dr Gavin Turbett of Forensic Biology (PathCentre) on the completion of their NIFS sponsored Blood Spatter Course, held at McLeod in Melbourne. They join Sgt Vic Webb, Sen. Sgt Ken Sanderson (WAPS) and Dr's Gerard Cadden, Clive Cooke and Karin Margolius (PathCentre) as certified blood spatter interpreters. The UWA Winter Extension course, held also during summer semester recess, once again played host to a Forensic component. Areas of Forensic Science represented were Pathology (Dr Clive Cooke, PathCentre), Odontology (Dr Steve Knott, PathCentre), Entomology (Dr Ian Dadour, UWA), Anthropology (Dr Alanah Buck, PathCentre) DNA (Dr Gavin Turbett, PathCentre) and Crime Scene Analysis (Sen. Sgt Ken Sanderson, WAPS). The 6 week course, which included a tour of the State Mortuary, was enjoyed by all that attended. Long time member Bruce Comber, former Secretary of the Society is leaving us soon for Canberra. Bruce has a position with the Australian Federal Police and he and his family will be heading east in the next few months. We hope he will stay in touch and everyone on the committee would like to wish Bruce well and thank him for all his efforts on behalf of the ANZFSS. The ANZFSS would like to congratulate Evelyn Vickers on her new appointment as Deputy State Coroner. Bereavement East Timor & Bosnia
Another region to have experienced similar massed killings is Bosnia. A recent episode of Quantum (Unearthing Evil) highlighted the work of Australian Forensic Archaeologist Dr Richard Wright, who excavated the mass graves in Srebrenica. Twenty-nine mass graves were identified and the resultant informant was used as evidence in war crimes trials. Dr Wright presented an interesting talk about his UN work at the University of WA in August.
Western Australian News
General News
It is with the greatest of sadness that we must announce the passing of our dear friend and valued member Ingrid Wager. Ingrid was a long time member and avid supporter of the Society. On behalf of the Committee and general membership we extend our deepest sympathy to Ingrid's family. Her willingness to help and cheerful manner will be always remembered with the warmest regard. She will be sorely missed.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS:
NEXT GENERAL MEETING
September -
Mr Maurie Tong - Arson Investigation
SPECIAL EVENT: AGM
Details to be announced
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National News
As most of you are aware, Australian Forensic teams have been posted to East Timor to assist in the excavations of the mass graves, reported to have been discovered after the recent turmoil in the region. Forensic Pathologists and other specialists have been flown to East Timor and have begun the task of identifying the victims. This work is painstaking and difficult so results are not expected for sometime. So far, Forensic experts from NSW and Vic have been involved.
The Registered Forensic Practitioners Scheme is now up and running and available to anyone active in the area of Forensic work. Instituted by ANZFSS National Body, the Practitioners Scheme ". exists to allow you to gain recognition of your forensic skills by a way that allows recognition in Court…". The initial registration fee is (Aus)$95. Copies of the application form can be obtained from the Secretary of the WA Branch of the ANZFSS. (Contact Tim Currie, at tcurrie@ccwa.wa.gov.au .)
President's Report
Hi members and prospective members,
Thanks to a hard working and dedicated committee, the WA Branch has had a very successful year to date with quality presenters at our general meetings - including Sgt Andrew GROSSE and Sgt Gerard DUTTON from NSW and Tasmania Police Services respectively.
We acknowledge the financial support (airfares) given by the ANZFSS National body to assist our Eastern States presenters. The attendance by members and visitors at these presentations has been overwhelming and augurs well for the success of the Society in this state.
On a National front - the 15th International ANZFSS Conference on the Gold Coast in March which I and other members were privileged to attend was fantastic. The content, quality of presentations, social events and the general organisation of the symposium was excellent. Congratulations to Paul STEWART and his team in Brisbane for a job well done.
The next Symposium is to be held in Canberra in 2002 and then overseas to New Zealand (probably Wellington) in 2004. The WA branch has submitted a bid for 2006 which will be confirmed before the next Symposium. We will keep you posted!!
The Registered Forensic Practitioners scheme was ratified at the National AGM in March with support from all the states. The Board has been set up, and there are currently 28 applications awaiting registration with three applicants already registered in March 2000. The RFP scheme is available to all forensic practitioners and if you require application forms - please contact our secretary, Tim Currie, at tcurrie@ccwa.wa.gov.au .
Thank you all for your continued support and I look forward to seeing you all at future meetings and remember - it is your Society, so the committee would like to hear any ideas that you may have concerning guest speakers and the general running of the Society.
Laurance Webb
President WA Branch ANZFSS
Points of Interest
Books
Forensic science is often the subject of TV shows, films and numerous books. We hope, in this section of the newsletter, to bring you some of the latest titles from the world of forensic entertainment. No responsibility will be accepted as to the quality of the suggestions as the ANZFSS Committee are not known for their literary credibility!!
Deadly Decisions by Kathy Reichs - follows on in the tradition of her previous books, with lots of suspense and dead bodies. Forensic science of course saves the day and reveals the connection between a bikie gang and the killing of a little girl.
Films
Not much about at the moment, however, The Bone Collator is now out on video and has some suspenseful moments as a forensic expert attempts to track down a serial killer.