17th International Symposium on the Forensic Sciences, Te Papa Museum, New Zealand

The 17th International Symposium on the Forensic Sciences, held in Wellington, New Zealand, has finished. The conference, which ran from the 28 March to 2 April, was a great success with many interesting and informative oral presentations, a vast display of posters and a number of enjoyable social functions.

Around 450 people attended the conference with WA well represented with delegates from the WA Police Service, UWA, Centre for Forensic Science, Pathcentre, Blackaby Diagnostics, Chemistry Centre, Curtin University and the West Australian Government. In total, WA delegates gave over 25 presentations both oral and poster. Congratulations to everyone who presented. In particular, special congratulations should be given to the following people who were given awards for their presentations:

Ian Riebeling Award for the Best Presentation by a Young Practitioner - Special ANZFSS Medal

Cameron Scadding (Curtin University)

Certificate of Merit - Best Paper in Category

Richard Clarke (Chemistry Centre) - Wildlife Forensics
Ken Fowle (WA Government) - Crime Scene
Lynne Milne (UWA) - Palynology
Cameron Scadding (Curtin University) - Chemical Criminalistics

The theme for the conference was "Challenges and Changes" and this was reflected in many of the plenary sessions. Topics discussed included The Daubert Challenge with respect to Document Examination (Dr Bryan Found, Vic), 'Lessons from Scandal: On Making Science Open & Objective in Adversarial Systems of Justice' (Prof. William C. Thompson, USA) and 'New Advances in Forensic Science Technology' (Dr Henry Lee, USA). A Plenary Session, chaired by Dr James Robertson (AFP), was also held on the forensic and DVI aspects of the Bali Bombing Investigation.

The organised social functions also proved to be a success, the first of which was a Welcome Function held at Te Papa Museum on the Sunday Night. This was a great way to start the conference, giving everyone an opportunity to mingle in amongst an informal setting.

The XTEK Kiwi Night Out, held on the Tuesday Night at the Wellington Brewery Company, called for people to don their black XTEK singlets, enjoy drinks and finger food with peers and dance the night away to live entertainment.

The highlight of the social programme, the symposium dinner, was held in the Great Hall of the Old Museum. The more formal affair of the conference, this saw people dress to the occasion for a night of lively entertainment, drinks and dancing.

Overall, the conference was a great week enjoyed by all. I look forward to the 18th International Symposium, to be held in Perth in 2006.