New South Wales Branch

I am the Research Coordinator for the NSW Police Force Forensic Evidence & Technical Services (FETS) Command, with the remit to coordinate all research projects across the diverse range of forensic disciplines. I joined NSWPF in 2002 as a civilian crime scene examiner and have been a part of various units within FETSC, assisting in the investigation of over 100 homicides.

In 2010 I completed my PhD thesis in Forensic Science at the University of Technology Sydney, on the characteristics of trace DNA evidence and its use in volume crime. I have been a member of ANZFSS for over 22 years.

I am a Research Officer for the NSW Police Force Forensic Evidence & Technical Services (FETS) Command, Science and Research Unit and conduct, supervise and support research across a wide variety of forensic disciplines. After graduating my Bachelor of Biomedical Science in Forensic Biology at the University of Technology Sydney in 2010, I took a sidestep into the world of andrology.

After 6.5 years as a clinical andrologist/embryologist I returned to the field of forensics and haven’t looked back since! I have been a member of the NSW branch of ANZFSS since 2017 and a member of the NSW executive committee since 2018. Currently I am undertaking my Masters by Research in the field of 3D terrestrial laser scanning and its application to bullet trajectory analysis.

I am a Senior Lecturer in Forensic Anthropology and Human Anatomy at Western Sydney University. I am also the Academic Coordinator and Course advisor for new degree program BMedSc (Forensic Mortuary Practice) in collaboration with the Department of Forensic Medicine.

I have a BSc (Anatomy and Histology) from USYD and a BSc (Hons) and PhD in Biological Anthropology from the University of New South Wales (2008). My research interests include modern skeletal variation and sexual dimorphism, and more recently, Forensic Taphonomy and time since death estimations in temperate Australian climates.

Specifically, I lead a research team investigating multidisciplinary and non-destructive methods of determining time since death at Western Sydney University to complement forensic anthropological techniques.

I am an Intelligence Analyst for the NSW Police Force. This year I completed my PhD in Forensic Science at the University of Technology Sydney, on the detection and comparison of volatile organic compounds comprising synthetic and authentic illicit drug training aids for drug detection dogs. I have been a member of ANZFSS since 2012.

About the award

Eric Murray, an ANZFSS life member, has been paving the way for forensic science for the better part of 40 years. Eric is semi-retired from the forensic unit corrections health as nursing unit manager but is still actively involved on the committee for the NSW branch of the ANZFSS. Eric’s career started in nursing and involved many aspects of the nursing profession. However, he has also spanned chemistry, occupational health and industrial safety, rescue response, profiling and incident reconstruction in various roles. The NSW branch of the ANZFSS is not alone in acknowledging Eric’s lifetime achievements. Eric’s service to industry and the community has been recognised by the NSW government for community service including service to the NSW ambulance and state emergency services. In addition, Eric has received awards from her majesty for his contribution to scouting and the St john ambulance service throughout his life. Eric is tireless in his work to help others and that is shown by the extensive acknowledgements he has received.

This award is offered on alternate years to the ANZFSS travel scholarships, and is open to any person employed in the forensic field within 10-15 years of the commencement of their career (post university). The purpose of this award is to provide opportunity for professionals to enhance their career development and may be utilised for the following activities (not exhaustive); -undertake a course, not prescriptively within the forensic field; eg management -assist with travel to visit leading laboratories and agencies -purchase of consumables or equipment for research projects -provide for a sabbatical to complete part-time study -child care costs to assist with any of the above activities the recipient must have demonstrated outstanding commitment to the forensic field and clearly outline the aims and purpose of their use of the award funds in the application. The biennial award is valued at $2,000. As for the symposium awards, a sub-committee from the NSW branch committee will be formed to judge the applications. Conflicts of interest must be declared in writing to the branch president. The recipient of the award must agree to present at a NSW branch meeting within 6 months of receipt of the award, and write an article of their choice for the branch newsletter within 12 months receipt of the award.

Please contact the NSW Branch or executive@anzfss.org for more information. More information can be found here.

Eric Murray Professional Achievers Award

About the award

Eric Murray, an ANZFSS life member, has been paving the way for forensic science for the better part of 40 years. Eric is semi-retired from the forensic unit corrections health as nursing unit manager but is still actively involved on the committee for the NSW branch of the ANZFSS . Eric’s career started in nursing and involved many aspects of the nursing profession. However, he has also spanned chemistry, occupational health and industrial safety, rescue response, profiling and incident reconstruction in various roles. The NSW branch of the ANZFSS is not alone in acknowledging Eric’s lifetime achievements. Eric’s service to industry and the community has been recognised by the NSW government for community service including service to the NSW ambulance and state emergency services. In addition, Eric has received awards from her majesty for his contribution to scouting and the St john ambulance service throughout his life. Eric is tireless in his work to help others and that is shown by the extensive acknowledgements he has received.

This award is offered in conjunction with the other ANZFSS travel scholarships offered by the NSW branch, prior to each ANZFSS symposium. This award is only open to current students (at the time of closure of applications for that year). It is Eric’s wish that a student member of the NSW branch is provided an opportunity they may otherwise not get. He extends help to students aspiring to attend a biennial ANZFSS symposium and enhance their career development through this award. Eric is the benefactor of this award that is offered to student members who may face adversity during their time of education. This biennial award is valued at $2,000.

Please contact the NSW Branch or executive@anzfss.org for more information. More information can be found here.

Eric Murray Student Symposia Award

Associate Professor Michael Dawson was a dedicated academic and an advocate for the student. Michael completed his undergraduate and postgraduate studies in pharmacy which led to a lecturing position in analytical and environmental chemistry at the university of technology, Sydney. It was during his early lecturing career that Michael recognised the potential for the introduction of Australia’s first forensic science undergraduate degree, a vision and awareness that has had a significant influence on forensic science education in Australia. During his career he was an active researcher in the field of analytical chemistry and its application to the analysis of licit and illicit drugs. His impact in this field can still be gauged by his extensive publication record and contribution to expert evidence testimony in court cases. Michael’s dedication to drawing the best from his students was renowned and in return Michael was loved and appreciated by them. It was a priority for Michael to help ensure the success of students and he never missed an opportunity to help them gain experience in the area of forensic science. For the opportunities Michael helped orchestrate, he will never be forgotten and it is the hope of the NSW branch of the ANZFSS that this award will add to his memorial. This award, to attend the ANZFSS symposia is valued at $1,500 and is open to practitioners and students.

Please contact the NSW Branch or executive@anzfss.org for more information. More information can be found here.

Michael Dawson Symposia Award