THE REAL SUPER SLEUTHS

Forget the TV stereotypes, forensic scientists solve crimes by quietly working behind the scenes.  By Amanda Place, The Age.  Re-printed with permission

We are familiar with the work of forensic scientists through TV shows such as The X files, Halifax FP and Cracker.

For Cate Quinn, the drugs branch manager of the Victoria Forensic Science Centre in Macleod, it was the character Quincy who lead her to a career investigating illicit drugs.

Nigel Hall, the manager of the centre's biological examination branch, watched Perry Mason and Homicide.  As a youngster he had a passionate interest in newspaper articles about murders and unsolved crimes.

But the romance stops here.  Working at the Macleod facility, which employs about 40 scientists, is not glamorous.  The work is often routine and the laboratories are eerily quiet and impersonal.  The scientists, who are state public servants, sit at benches lined with computer-driven instruments.  Ripped brown paper bags containing evidence are strewn around.  A shop dummy stands in the middle of the lab wearing a stained T-shirt, possibly holding a piece of evidence that will secure a conviction.

Hall attends crime scenes and oversees the biological examination branch.  He also works closely with the botany and DNA science groups.  The 13 scientists in his area talk to police to determine exactly what they want to prove in court and what evidence is to be analysed and submitted.

Typically, violent crime investigations will involve testing of clothing for bodily fluids and damage to fabric.  Blood, hair and swabs from inside the cheeks of both dead and living victims and the accused will also be analysed.  The pressure is on: 550 cases require examination.

Routine tests on blood, semen and hair can result in a conviction before a case goes to court.  A criminal will often admit guilt when the lab tests prove their involvement in a crime.  DNA-typing has revolutionised laboratory testing for the biology team.   'I started work here in 1978 and I've seen dramatic changes in scientific technique over 20 years,'  Hall says.  'When DNA-typing came in during the late 80s we were able to discriminate between individuals so powerfully.  Very small fragments of bodily fluid now give us an accurate profile of someone.'

'I enjoy every minute of it:  doing the casework in the lab, attending crime scenes and going to court.  Tonight, I could be about to go home and suddenly find myself on my way to the scene of a murder in Mildura'.

Quinn has a different focus.  She oversees forensic research into illicit drug manufacture, drug analysis and pharmacology.  Her team studies drugs in blood for the Road Safety Act and as part of major crime investigations.  The scientists visit clandestine labs to help police gather evidence and to ensure the scene is safe.   'We'd attend a clandestine lab about once a month,'  Quinn says.  'We'd deal with about 60 general drug analyses a month that are going to be contested in court.   We also incinerate illicit drugs here.'

Quinn and her team are involved in drugs intelligence.  Each month they examine about 240 unknown samples collected by the police.  'I've been here 14 years and during that time I have seen trends change,' she says.  'The same drugs are out there, but there's been an increase in use of hallucinogenic drugs.  LSD and ecstasy are quite common again.  Cannabis is always there and there's a strong heroin trend.'

The standard of scientific testing of each substance must be beyond reproach.  'In forensic science we do think we are the cutting edge of research as new trends emerge.   Mostly our work is routine, but occasionally we'll come across something new and we'll manage to publish a (scientific) paper.'  Quinn has a Bachelor of Science degree with an organic chemistry major and a Master of Business degree.  She worked as a technical assistant at Carlton and United Breweries before joining the world of forensic science in 1986.  As manager, she oversees 18 staff and lectures to law students and MICA ambulance officers.  'I always wanted to be a forensic scientist.   Always,'  Quinn says.  'I watched Quincy and thought how interesting it would be to take science and apply it to the community, rather than industry.  It's about justice and community assistance.  It's a career with a great purpose.'

Quinn and Hall both say that completing a forensic science course does not guarantee a job.  Practical experience is essential - even working at a lab bench over the summer holidays.  But a basic science degree is the most important qualification.

The forensic scientist needs to be able to deal with police officers hassling them for lab results.  An energetic person with a strong personality will handle the pressure of standing up in court to defend evidence.  'At the end of the day it's you standing in that box and you've got to be able to rely on your training and methods used in the lab,'  Quinn says.  'I'm not necessarily looking for the world's greatest scientist, I'm looking for a confident and competent person who can adapt and respond positively to pressure.'

Hall looks for someone who can remain impartial and think logically, who is calm under pressure and has extremely high ethical standards.

Both Quinn and Hall receive about 300 applications for each of the few job vacancies that come up. 'Presume you're not going to be a forensic scientist,'  Hall says.   'There are just so few jobs, maybe one or two a year, that its almost impossible to get in.'

The salary for a forensic scientist begins at $32,190 and climbs slowly to $40,383.   As opportunities for promotion arise, the salary can reach $53,844.   Scientists at the Macleod centre who do not take on their own casework earn $27,215.

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