Western Australia Branch

I have worked in the field of forensic biology for over twenty years, and am currently the Manager of Quality, Safety, Training and Risk for the Forensic Biology Department of PathWest Laboratory Medicine WA. I commenced my PhD in 2020 investigating understandings and communication of quality issues in forensic science.

I am an early-mid-career academic teaching forensic science, chemistry and scientific research. My own research specialises in exploring data-driven approaches for trace evidence analysis and document examination. I also have professional experience in private and public analytical laboratories, plus a strong interest in promoting science engagement.

I am Acting Team Leader in Physical Evidence of ChemCentre’s Forensic Science Laboratory. Working at ChemCentre for over 15 years, my expertise is transfer evidence like paint, glass, fibres and soils. I have reported over 300 cases and testified in criminal trials in Australia and New Zealand.

I have been involved in forensic science education, community engagement and research for over 20 years. I currently lead the Forensic and Analytical Chemistry Research Group at Curtin University, where my research is focussed on chemical techniques applied to forensic analysis, particularly in relation to latent fingermarks and trace evidence.

I am the co-ordinator of the Forensic Science Major at Edith Cowan University and lecture in Forensic Genetics and various Forensic skill development units. I am a member of the Simulation & Immersive Digital Technologies Group at ECU, actively pursuing novel and equitable methods to enhance student learning.

I currently conduct FE investigations on behalf of WAPOL and occasionally the FBI. I am Head of Research & Education at Source Certain International (Forensic Provenancing Company). I have previously been President (2005/6) and Vice President of the WA Branch and been a member since 1999.

I am a Biochemistry and Toxicology Laboratory Scientist at the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development in Perth, Western Australia, where I am responsible for investigation of animal diseases and their biochemistry, including diagnostic testing.

Dr Paola Magni is a forensic biologist specialising in entomology, taphonomy and aquatic biology. She has been called as an expert witness by Italian and Australian Courts and is an experienced STEM communicator, having won the 2019 FameLab Australia competition and placed fourth in the National FameLab Finals.

I am a chemist in the Illicit Drugs team at ChemCentre. I perform qualitative and quantitative analysis of materials suspected to contain illicit substances by GCMS, LCMS, UPLC-DAD, HPLC-DAD and FTIR. I attend sites assisting WA Police to identify and seize chemicals and equipment used in alleged clandestine laboratories.

I am Chair of postgraduate forensics at Murdoch University and co-director of Cold Case Review @ Murdoch, a not-for-profit initiative tackling unsolved homicide and missing persons cases. I come from a practitioner background of over 10 years. My research is in the areas of cold cases and defence forensics.

I am a Chemist in Coronial Toxicology at ChemCentre. I conduct qualitative and quantitative testing and data analysis on complex biological matrices for drugs and poisons using various analytical instrumentation including LCMS-QQQ, LC-QTOF-MS, HPLC-DAD, GC-MS and GC-FID. The work I do contributes to the provision of expert evidence for casework related to Coronial, Traffic and WA Police matters.

Named in honour of Western Australian forensic odontologist Dr Frank Digwood, this award is open to a General, Life, or Student member demonstrating excellence in the forensic sciences to present at the ANZFSS International Symposium. Nominees will be assessed based on their submitted application for an ANZFSS Symposium Award, with the Scholarship consisting of a top-up award to a successful application.

The WA Branch reserves the right not to award the Frank Digwood Scholarship if no suitable candidates meeting the criteria for excellence are nominated.

To support the involvement of a General, Life, or Professional Member of the WA Branch at an event, placement or other activity benefitting the members professional development and the forensic community.

Please contact the WA Branch or executive@anzfss.org for more information.