News

ANZFSS Tas News – May 2023

This year we are looking forward to the IAST/ANZFSS symposium in Sydney from 20-24 th November.
For those who submitted abstracts, the outcomes should soon be published, so stay tuned! Please
also keep an eye out for details of scholarships to assist with registration fees.
We have had a great start to the year with the first two seminars held at the new time of 5 pm at
FSST.

In March we heard from FSST Director, Matt Osborn, and Quality and Safety Officer, Kate Abbott
who presented on ‘Outcomes from the Queensland DNA enquiry’. The presentation provided a
detailed overview of the enquiry process and highlighted aspects of interest. It generated a great
deal of interest and discussion about procedures, processes and reporting practices and the
implications for Tasmania and elsewhere.

In April, we heard from UTAS PhD candidate, Tersia Oosthuizen, who presented her findings to date
on the ‘Comparative analysis of Australian legislation regarding forensic DNA use’. The seminar
outlined the development of Forensic Procedures legislation nationally, and the original intention of
the legislation before considering some key amendments and changes since 2010, and the
implications and potential issues of such changes. Discussion centred on further scientific and
technical developments that have yet to be considered in legislation.

Please don’t hesitate to get in touch at anzfss.tasbranch@gmail.com.